Free Web Templates

GoodIT · 11-11-2002, 06:51 PM

Looking for free quality templates? Please take a look at http://www.templatesbox.com

*squillo* · 11-11-2002, 10:55 PM

I'm curious how other folks feel about these kind of site templates. Everything I've worked on so far has been custom-made by either myself or someone else, but I wonder if there's a place for using these pre-made templates. Given how much revision and tweaking goes into a typical site design, I am truly skeptical that satisfaction can be achieved through a free or $29.99 interface. On the other hand, I'm not a very talented visual artist and always spend a great deal of time working on layout revisions. It might be nice to point someone with modest site needs to a bunch of templates and tell them to pick one they like. I wonder...

best,
Squillo

*Andilinks* · 11-11-2002, 11:25 PM

A really good template is likely to start popping up everywhere... I'd feel usurped (or ripped off if I paid) if I started seeing clones of my site selling other things, or maybe even my competition. That would be one hesitation.

Andi

*PaulKroll* · 11-11-2002, 11:42 PM

Quote:

I am truly skeptical that satisfaction can be achieved through a free or $29.99 interface.

Do you mean satisfaction, as in the client thinks it looks good, or satisfaction, as in there's a provable increase in the money the site makes from the unique look? The first is entirely subjective, the second is very difficult to measure without devoting time and money to do so.

*squillo* · 11-12-2002, 01:46 AM

I think you'd have to explain to the client beforehand that a template, while cheaper, would not be unique. But my main concern is whether it would really save time and site development costs, or if all the little fixes and tweaks to make it fit the client's needs would add up to just as much work. No satisfaction there!

My philosophy is that content usually makes the site, so if a template makes it easier to concentrate on that aspect, it's a good thing. But I suspect most template-based layouts do not have much inherent flexibility in their designs.

best,
Squillo

*Andilinks* · 11-12-2002, 02:47 AM

I have never designed a website except for my own--which evolved from scratch and continues that way. But I'll offer my unsolicited opinion nonetheless.

I think that if you were to specialize in designing from templates you could become skilled at tailoring them to the specific client's needs and learn the strengths and weaknesses of the templates you used, *and* the art of molding the expectations of your client with regard to the templates.

But if you were to try to do it to cut corners or to win a low-ball sale, you would probably be met with UNsatisfaction all around.

Just my opinion.

Andi

*skolnick* · 11-12-2002, 07:44 AM

Like squillo, my graphics arts abilities are limited. Every time I look at templates to prop that up I find that I'm better off on my own, borrowing ideas but not structure or complete layouts.

With respect to the specific site referred to at the beginning of this thread I wouldn't call them templates at all. Each design includes a PhotoShop picture of a page and any font files necessary. You would have to rebuild the HTML. No help you guidance on alignment or repeating for the background image, navigation elements that are PART of the background image. I think it would be quite a bit of work to develop a web site that duplicates the look of any of the "templates."

That said, some of the designs are nice, I just don't seem them as labor savers.

GoodIT · 11-27-2002, 04:04 PM

Thank you for your replies. Today we have updated our website with six new templates. Please take a look.

Thx

*Andilinks* · 11-27-2002, 04:19 PM

Cool. I have linked to your site here. Under the category, Resource Sites.

Andi

GoodIT · 11-27-2002, 07:30 PM

Hi Andi,

Thank you for your help.