Truth: Full Website Template Packages

We are often asked why we do not offer full website template packages like many of our competitors. Once we explain the logical reasoning to our customers they appreciate the fact that we are honest with them about this completely mythical concept. A concpet that actually causes them more headaches than it does saving them time.

Many people believe that when they shop for a template they need to buy a package that contains 5-10-25+ pages which may already include an about page, FAQ, contact page, order info, etc. This is simply not true at all. Why pay $15-$50-$100+ for a multi-page template package when all you have to do is open the initial template page into your HTML editor just like the template designer did and change the links in the HTML source code to the links you will name your pages. Then do a File > Save As > about.html or whatever other name you want to use. All of your links are already in place on all your pages without manipulating individual pages which is a big time waster. The next step is to add your body content which will mostly likely be different on every page anyway.

Purchasing this type of overpriced, multi-page package can also be a big mistake because it will cause you needless work. And here is why:

If you have other pages you need to add that are not already included or if you need to delete pages you will not be using, you have to add links and/or change links in the HTML source code on all the pages the designer created for you.

Often times these designers stuff these unnecessary pages full of filler text that you have to delete - on each page - prior to adding your own page content. Or worse {yikes!} ... they put instructions inside these pages and YOU have to delete your instructions before you can add your own text! Wow, now that's inconsiderate!

So why are template designers selling these multi-page package? The answer is very simple ... they think it justifies an extra cost. Obviously, it initially sounds better to those who don't know that it isn't necessary and can actually cause much more work and unnecessary stress on the end user than it wuld with a properly designed template.

Why are we telling you this? We obviously would like you to subscribe to a BasicTemplates.com membership where we give you access to over 1000 HTML-CSS Templates with free generic web forms, error pages, etc. that you can copy/paste into the original template. However, after exclusively designing web templates since 1994, long before most template designers online today even had Internet access, we cringe when we see the scams taking place. To us this is simply soooo - not right. It also says a great deal about these designers business ethics and their lack of customer care.

We are certainly not saying that all web template multi-page packages are a scam. The majority of those we have seen certainly are and from the experienced designers' perspective it is completely unnecessary. The type of multi-page template packages you might need (although 90% of the sites would still not need them especially those folks who have an average amount of web design experience) would be those that have *extensive* variation layouts of the main template page. We are merely advising the consumer to be cautious when shopping through the template jungle.

Now that you have been armed with this bit of little known information, we encourage you to shop around for the best price vs. the type of quality you should expect in your site's design. We are confident you will appreciate our sound consumer advice and will be back to shop with us for years to come.

// posted by BasicBeca on 1/12/2005 11:31:12 AM / Permanent Link