Affiliate Marketing Templates

Over the last couple of months several of our customers have been contacted us asking how templates that are optimized for search engines or specific to an affiliate marketer's style differs from our popular BasicTemplates designs. Apparently there is some confusion as to why using HTML, external CSS, interchangeable graphics (and SSI for those folks with large websites) differs from the template packages being sold and branded "Affiliate Marketing Templates" elsewhere.

We did a little research this week, and the facts are in. The only differences we see are as follows:

1) Number of Template Pages:

BasicTemplates.com's designs consist of one web page which the end user copies to create new pages after the original template's main components are optimized to the website's owners specific needs. 99% of all website template packages that are created using multiple pages which are all linked together is not effective for a diverse end users' needs. Designers who sell these type packages are not concerned about you (the end user) being able to easily edit your new design to create an effective website.


2) SEO Myth in PreDesigned Templates:

It is not possible at all to design a template (without the end user's page content) that will rank well in the search engines. Any template designer who implies that their design layouts are SEO ready is not being honest with you and certainly have their own hidden agendas. Additionally, it is not possible to effectively link pages together in multi-page template packages that will use primary or secondary keyword as hyperlinks since the designer has no idea the needs of the people who will be buying the template package. The only way this could be possible if the designer is building an entire website using the client's content.


3) Price:

Our HTML CSS Templates and their accompanying PSD Template files are sold at $5.00 USD each. Subscribing members get access to literally everything including 100s of header graphics for mere pennies each. Our competitors price? Are you sitting down? Their template prices range from $40 up to $100 each. Their header graphics are priced up to $30 each. Need we say more? Yet they like to refer to their templates and graphics as low cost. ;)

4) Quality:

Regardless of what you might have read elsewhere, just because a template is priced at an affordable price to anyone on any budget does not mean that it is cheap or poor quality. The same can be said about templates priced too high. I've personally seen folks take money from their savings accounts and spend well over $500 on a template that was discovered to be loaded with improper code, heavy graphics, and fake form boxes. It's sad, but it happens all the time. So if you have fallen victim to this type of template scam, rest assured we have seen just about everything in last 11 years. The best way to judge how a template may be developed is to look at the designer's own source code. If it is cluttered or uses code incorrectly, the templates are likely built in the same manner.

You may wish to review a few of the articles we have written in the past on this topic.

Myths & Fallacies About Web Templates
Consumer Alerts: Myths and fallacies about buying and using predeveloped web templates. Not all web templates are effective - most are not.

What Does it Mean to Develop an Effective Website?
Step ahead in time and go with us to visit, George Jetson and Jane his wife. You will be glad you did. The only difference here is that this webmaster's dream is reality - today - and not a futuristic tale. Enjoy!

// posted by BasicRic on 7/15/2005 11:52:00 AM / Permanent Link