What is a Web Template?

A web template is a framework of graphics and style created to simplify the web design process. A template is created with design elements excluding unique content effectively separating design and content elements. Templates vary in style and complexity.

Types of Web Templates

All-Page Template – a template encompasses an entire page including all design elements. Most elements including a header, footer, graphics and content location are fixed.

Block Templates – Only a portion of a website is included in template format. Menu bars or headers might be fixed on an otherwise dynamic website.

Template Engines - Templates used in conjunction with a template engine can be used to create mass-produced pages. Customized content contained within a database is combined with a pre-selected template to create mass-produce pages of a website. The template engine creates slightly differing pages based on database entries with little or no manual input of content into the web design.

Web Design Templates – Templates used for more personalized customization to create a more complex and unique website. These pages are updated in a more manual fashion. They may also contain fewer pages as they are not mass-produced via template engine.

Styles of Web Templates

Simple Templates –a mask or blueprint for all pages of a website. These templates contain all style and design elements with placeholders for text. Some simple templates allow for customization of other elements within the template using software such as Dreamweaver or Microsoft FrontPage.

Standard Templates – Complete pages developed for simple content modification to effectively update the site. Little or no additional customization beyond standard content is required.

Content Management System (CMS) Templates – Templates designed to enhance basic content management systems such as Joomla or PHP-Nuke. Content customization is required.

Blogging Templates – Themes designed for use with popular blogging software such as WordPress. These templates offer color and style to a standard blog.

Complex Templates –contain various degrees of programming capabilities. These templates allow for a standardized look to the pages of a website, but with varying content on sub pages. Color, themes, logos and images can remain consistent but with different placement and effect on various pages. These templates require additional customization.

Flash Templates – Templates that contain elements created using Flash. Both content and Flash elements can be customized in these templates.

Flash Intros – An introductory presentation to a website that requires customization. The basics of the presentation are created using Flash, and customization is required to make the introduction site specific.

Blogging Templates – Themes designed for use with popular blogging software such as WordPress. These templates offer color and style to a standard blog.

Online Store Templates
– Templates designed for use with software such as osCommerce to build ecommerce sites. These templates contain basic designs for online stores. Products and services must be customized within the template.

Logo Templates – Prefabricated designs for business or personal purposes. Logo templates may include a simple business logo, letterhead, and business card designs. Business or corporate information much be customized on each logo.

One Response to “What is a Web Template?”


  1. always note down your requirement before selecting a web design template because a good template is one that suit all your needs. Along with this a good template must be easy to use and user friendly, there can be updates and changes to web site so look around for some thing with greater usability.