Content Management System: Web Design Template
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios


Defined Tag: Web Design Template.

Suppose you already have a web site but want to add some information at the top of each page so that your customers always know where they are in the site. Not only does this change have to be made on every page, but you also have to redesign the overall page layout to accommodate that change. One of the major problems in creating web pages is that if you later want to update or change something about the web design template, you have got to do it to each and every page of your website, which can be a long and tedious task.

Style sheets and web design template mechanisms may make the technical part of this change much easier. Most good web design applications include special template features, which allow you to set up your site so that any chances you make to your design template are automatically reflected on every page. Such web design template can be created a number of different ways. Consider an HTML editor that provides template tools, such as with Macromedia Dreamweaver and Macromedia Contribute to set up a web design template driven site.

When you begin to design and develop a web site in Macromedia Dreamweaver, you have the opportunity to create a web design template for your project. You also have the option of applying a template to a preexisting web page. When you save a template, it is saved on the local root folder in the site, such as website 1. To create a template from a web page, open the page and choose "Save as Template" from the File menu. The "Save as Template" dialog box appears and permits you to save the current page as a template. Once a template has been created, you can access the template by selecting "Templates" from the Window menu. This opens the "Templates" window of the Assets panel.

A common question posed by web page publishing neophytes is "Where the heck do I get my website template from?" The Internet provides virtually unlimited sources for obtaining website templates. Specialized websites such as TemplateMonster.com provide website templates, flash templates and other ready-made web design products, that can be used as a basis for fast and high-quality website. These website templates, flash templates and all other products are completely customizable and ready for immediate download, albeit for a fee.