-
What are web templates?
OUR Web templates are semifinished web pages that have been predesigned and assembled with all the graphics and necessary code needed to get a web site online quickly. When we say "semifinished", we mean that all there is left to do is edit your links, add your page content, insert your page titles and meta tags, and upload the pages to your web server. We have written an article regarding our web templates in particular which we encourage you to read: "What are Web Templates?".
When we say "OUR" we mean that many of our templates were strategically designed from "Day 1" to allow the end user to swap-out graphics and change the template of their template within seconds at a very low cost. Be sure to listen to our Audio Presentation about this unique concept and service.
Top
-
How many pages come with your templates? How many pages can each of your templates create?
Each of our templates is one HTML page with a custom designed style sheet and all images shown. You can create as many pages for your web site as you wish using the HTML page and we provide you with a "Template To-Do Checklist" to assist you. This gives your web site a consistent appearance, so that your web site visitors know they have not click away from your web site.
You can create as many pages from he original template as you wish. And the beauty of it is you only have to create the pages you need. Don't be fooled by those "Multiple Page Web Site Template Packages" being sold online. They box you into a specific type of website at a large fee and will create more work and headaches for you in the long run.
Top
-
What do I get for my membership fee?
You will have access to all of our templates shown in the FREE tour area. We add more templates on an ongoing basis every week. Each template file is zipped and contains one index.html file, an images directory with appropriate images within, and a style sheet specifically created for that web template. Members can also enjoy a Webmasters Tools resource area with FREE syndicated web content that they can use on their web sites by simply placing a snippet of code in their web pages. Members also have access to free code snippets that further adds functionality to their templates, free generic templates for elements such as forms, and MANY other freebies to enhance their web sites will be coming. And when we say "MANY" we are not kidding! We own two other membership sites that consist of custom designed graphics. Many images from those sites will be made available within BasicTemplates.com's members area.
Top
-
Do you BLOAT your template membership?
We don't bloat! First of all, for those who are not familiar with the term "bloated memberships", let us explain. Many template designers try to trick the consumer by stating they have hundreds or thousands of templates. When in fact they do not. They are in fact counting images, other types of templates files and individual HTML pages. This means that if they created 50 pages from one template design, they are counting that as 50 web templates. They also colorize the same images over and over, save them in a cookie-cutter HTML file and consider it a template. For example, if Template A has a green image, they create Template B with the same image except they colorize the image blue. They count each of these as one template which further bloats the total quantity when they might colorize one template layout in 20 different colors and count it as 20 web templates! Shame on them! WE DO NOT BLOAT our memberships. Such practices do not reflect well on the creditability of the designer/site owner. We own two other membership sites (graphics related) and have been in the membership business since 1998. We have seen it all and can tell you first hand that some designers will do nearly anything to make a buck. This type of deceit causes the consumer to question the reputation of all designers. There really are designers out there who do this for a living, have been in the business for years, and do run a creditable operation. If you require more template resources in additional to BasicTemplates.com and want a list of creditable template designers, let us know. Again ... "We don't bloat!" :) AND shame on those that do!
Top
-
Why are your templates so cheap? What's wrong with them?
There is nothing wrong with our templates. Our long-term goal is to be the #1 predesigned web template resource for web designers at all skill levels and budgets. This goal is not unreachable, and the response thus far after only being open since May 28, 2002 shows us that we can and will reach that #1 position. Therefore, we must keep our membership fee reasonable, so we can reach the majority of web designers with diversified budgets. In doing this we must still delivery the same quality products we have been known to develop since 1996. It is only fair to mention that as more templates are added, our membership fee will certainly increase. We started with 75 web templates and as of this date (July 16, 2002) the members’ area has grown to 265 web templates with custom CSS. The good news for early subscribers is: "We have only just begun!"
Top
-
What is CSS anyway?
CSS means "Cascading Style Sheets" and is a system of rules that directly effect the display properties of your web pages such as colors, fonts, layouts, borders, etc. CSS style blocks are also commonly referred to as rules and can be embedded into an individual HTML page. We place our styles in an external file to be used by many individual pages on your site for optimal performance. Thus changing a property in one place in the linked style sheet will immediately make that change on every web page linked to it. All of BasicTemplates.com's web templates use linked style sheets as this is the most diversified way to manage any number of web pages. Web templates designed without CSS can usually be identified as being created by newbie web designers. In the long run the end user suffers because it create more work for you when you need to make a simple font color change, for example.
Top
-
I don't have any CSS experience, so I am hesitant about joining. What if I cannot do it?
Many people are a bit apprehensive when they first encounter CSS. Fortunately, we can assure you that CSS it is just as easy if not easier than HTML. You will be quite pleased and will wonder why you ever relied solely on HTML. Our support team is available to assist you and walk you through any bumps you may encounter along the way. Should you encounter any problems, we will visit your website and troubleshoot for you (at no charge). We also publish articles and tips in regard to CSS and web design on a weekly basis. Our article ideas are generally based on questions that arise from our members or visitors. Browse our articles: http://www.basictemplates.com/tools/
Top
-
Are your templates designed so I can change images easily?
It really depends on how the template was created. Many of our templates have images you can pluck out and replace with your own for a custom fit to your clients' needs. Some templates have embedded images. Generally these are the ones that are more graphic intensive. If you have graphic design experience, purchasing an individual PSD file in addition to the HTML template may help you move layers and change colors. Keep in mind, however, that not all of our templates have PSD files. Since many of our templates utilize CSS to control colors, they were not initially developed as a sliced/diced PSD file. They were HTML and CSS coded. More info on our PSD files can be found here: http://www.basictemplates.com/psd.shtml
Top
-
Are your templates completely driven by style sheets?
To keep our web templates diversified for the end users who have a wide range of development skill, we try to keep our templates and style sheets "basic". Most of the display properties such as fonts, colors, links, border effects, heading tags, etc. are all controlled by our style sheets. Obviously, there are tons of other style rules including positioning that could be included in the style sheets. However, most users who are new to CSS find templates designed exclusively with CSS (especially after being familiar with HTML only) somewhat confusing. Therefore at this time we have opted to keep our templates and style sheets basic and limit the number of styles rules. Our HTML-CSS Templates use tables for positioning/layout and External CSS for all other cosmetic properties.
Top
-
Are your templates compatible with Netscape?
Netscape 4.x has many compatibility bugs with some CSS rules. Netscape 6.1+ was a major improvement in. However, as anything else that is displayed in any browser and browser version, you will find some differences. Our templates were tested on MIE5.5, MIE6, NS4.x and NS6.1. All elements tested fine, however, NS4.x has the usual inability to display link rollovers. There is no work around for this element with NS4.x.
Top
-
Do I need any special tools or programs to use your web templates?
You will need some type of HTML editor, a graphics editing software program, and some type of unzip program such as Winzip.com. Our templates are compatible with any HTML editor. They are not proprietary to any one web design software. If you do not have graphics editing software, we can add your company text to the title image for a small fee. Many of our clients utilize our customization services.
Top
-
Will your templates work with FrontPage?
Sure! If you know how to use FrontPage, you will not have any problems using our templates. Our templates are standard HTML (with CSS). Simply open FP, go to File > Open and browse your hard drive for the index.html file. Read the Help section of FrontPage on how to edit a web page. It's quite simple once you understand how your software functions.
Top
-
Will your templates work with Dreamweaver?
Sure! If you know how to use Dreamweaver, you will not have any problems using our templates. Our templates are standard HTML (with CSS). Simply open DW, go to File > Open and browse your hard drive for the index.html file. Read the Help section of Dreamweaver on how to edit a web page. It's quite simple once you understand how your software functions.
Top
-
Will your templates work with Joe's ABCXYZ-123 software?
If Joe's ABCZYX-123 software is an HTML editor that is not proprietary to Joe's server or designs, and you can open and edit any HTML page that links to an external style sheet file - yes. Our templates are straight HTML with external CSS and function quite well. We cannot provide support for any specific HTML editor or software package. We eagerly assist our customers and members with support questions regarding our templates and basic web design when necessary, but we do not teach folks how to use their software of choice. The best place to find out how to use your software is the Help manual within your software. It is filled with tons of helpful information that can quickly assist you every step of the way.
Top
-
Do your web template validate?
Our HTML-CSS Templates were developed generic ("basic"). We sell our templates worldwide to end users all over the world who have their own charset, doctype, validation, programming, language preferences and requirements for their websites' target markets. In order to fill the requirements for a very large database of diverse customers' needs at a reasonable price, we do not restrict the development of our templates to validate with any one end-user preference or programming language. As with any web site element the end user should have an understanding of how to accomplish their website object for their target market and be able to expand upon our template designs to make their design tasks easier and at a price anyone can afford.
Top
-
I noticed you don't follow the safe color rules. Any comments?
Safe color rules have always been quite a controversial topic. We certainly encourage safe colors if you want a site that loads in microseconds. :) Certain safe color combinations are indeed attractive. However, as technology provides us with systems that can quickly view millions of colors and high speed Internet access becomes more widespread, the use of safe colors (216) is not as important as it once used to be. Our site is not compliant with 216 safe colors but it loads very quickly. And so do our templates. I guess that would be our opinion.
Top
-
Do you give out free samples?
No, sorry. Our templates are priced at only $5.00 USD each (less than 10˘ each via a membership subscription) and that is practically free when you consider most experienced template designers charge $25-$75 each for this SAME quality for only one.
Top
|
|
