So let's say, for example, you decided to search for one of those many online website templates. They vary in price between $45.00 and $200.00. There, now you think you have a website? Think again and consider the following. Before you purchase any template, be sure to read the fine print that delineates the software programs you will now need in order to customize your new template.
SOFTWARE REQUIRED:
1.) Adobe Photoshop CS3: $649.00
2.) Adobe Dreamweaver CS3: $399.00
3.) Adobe GoLive CS3: $399.00
4.) Adobe Flash Professional: $699.00
Now let's say that you have in fact, downloaded all of the available "trial" software, free for you to use for 30 days. How will you then know the way in which these rather difficult programs operate. Adobe Flash for example, is a fairly difficult program to learn how to use and can take a considerable amount of time to master; a few years for some. What will you do with all of these programs if you have absolutely no idea how they function. For the most part, a person would have to be a rather educated, professional, website designer in order to know how to implement and utilize these programs in order to tweak and customize these online templates.
I have had many inquiries from people, informing me that they have purchased a template and have come to the realization that they have absolutely no idea how to customize it or make it work. These people are often considerably upset, fearing that they may have just wasted the $45.00 to $90.00 and up, purchasing a website template. Keep in mind that these templates are non-refundable as the sellers will merely inform you that in some little corner of their site in small print, they stated the software necessary to make these templates work.
Furthermore, some of these templates require the knowledge of Php and even a database. Basic html knowledge won't even get these templates going. The contact form requires Php, including shopping carts, forums, blogs, catalogues, and various other bells and whistles may very well require a database. Therefore, even if you have a decent understanding of html, it won't suffice if in fact your new template requires flash action scripts, Php and or a database.
Now of course you will want to switch out the template logos and images for your own. Who is going to design your logos and retouch, enhance and size your images in order to make them not only fit but look professional? The images they orignally give you are Photoshop images (Psd) that can only be opened in, of course, Photoshop. Also, consider how the index page(s) itself will be scripted properly with adequate keyword implementation and then uploaded to your hosting service.
Finally, some of these online template stores, offer template customization but they aren't cheap. They nickel and dime the customer for every single, solitary modification they perform and it can become exceedingly expensive. Also, they often do not even make mention of making the forms work in the flash templates. This requires Php codes and if you need them to set up a database for you, there is a near 100% chance that just isn't going to happen.
