The first thing to keep in mind when starting out with templates is not
to over think it. Customizing website templates really is very simple,
but if you are overly critical of your work, the process can be
stressful and lacking the fun it could be if you let yourself go.
The first thing to keep in mind when starting out with templates
is not to over think it. Customizing website templates really is very simple,
but if you are overly critical of your work, the process can be stressful and
lacking the fun it could be if you let yourself go.
When you have your initial template, the next thing to do is get yourself a
HTML editor. HTML editors make customizing fun, and are one of the easiest,
most user friendly ways of accomplishing your goal. Start to finish is as easy
as loading the index.html file that you would have gotten with your template,
and copy/pasting your own content into the areas where the "dummy"
content is. Just make sure not to overlook changing links, adding your tags,
and including image sources where needed.
If you want to go more into the image editing, but don't have access to
programs like Photoshop, the next best way, and easiest many would say, would
be to request BMP files from your template provider. Standard file formats you
receive with templates are usually PSD, however BMP is much simpler to work
with because the BMP can be edited using literally any editor out there rather
than PSD where mostly just the higher end image editors are able to be used.
Remember to change the title of each page, menu names if needed, and add your
unique logo where you want. Doing these is what truly makes the template yours.
The great thing about being able to customize your template yourself is that
you don't have to search for a specific labeled template. Just find one that
you like the initial layout of and re design it to meet your style or needs.
The possibilities are endless, so don't be afraid to play around a bit with
your template and see just what you can do with it.
