What is a website template?

A website template is a pre-built web page containing the structure needed to create and display a functioning website. 

Website templates are designed to streamline the website creation process. 

The elements of website templates can be edited, replaced, or deleted manually or with the user interface of a website builder.

Templates eliminate the need to have coding knowledge when creating a website, making it possible for anyone to create a site.

There are three types of website templates, depending on the platform you use to build a website: 

Website builder templates

Since these templates are pre-made, there is no coding involved for the user. They are hosted online by the website builder platform, so you don’t need to download anything.

You can modify the pre-existing templates using a graphic user interface (GUI) which is what you use when you don’t have to manually code.

These site templates are suitable for beginners, non-tech-savvy users, and people in a time crunch.

HTML templates

HTML templates are downloadable premade website templates consisting of server-side and client-side scripts. They’re usually available online from different marketplaces and are not tied to any specific platform.

HTML templates usually come in a zipped file. To edit the files, you need to use a code editor program like Sublime Text or Atom.

To make an HTML site live, users have to upload all the files to a hosting server. If you want to create a backup, you have to duplicate the files and store them on a hard drive manually.

Modifying HTML templates requires an understanding of programming languages. Therefore, they aren’t suitable for beginners and users without coding skills.

Content management system templates

A Content Management System (CMS) is software that supports content creation and management for live websites.

Most CMS software provides pre-built templates that are exclusive for that specific platform. You may also find CMS templates sold by third-party web developers in online marketplaces.

Commonly, CMS templates are open-source, thus you can modify them as you sit fit. However, it requires programming knowledge to do so.

Anyone can manage a site with a CMS, although extensive customization is not for beginners due to requiring knowledge of coding.

How to use a website template

Here are four steps to creating a new website with any of Zyro’s web templates:

1. Pick a template that’s suited to your needs

Pick a Zyro website template that you like. Click the Preview button to see how each design looks. Once you find the right one, click Start Building.

2. Customize the design with the visual editor

Rearrange the pre-existing elements using the drag-and-drop editor. You may also change the elements by clicking on them.

To add new elements like images, videos, or buttons, navigate to the Add elements menu at the top of the page. Drag and drop the desired elements and they’ll snap into place.

3. Add more pages and sections as needed.

All Zyro web templates feature a one-page web layout by default. You can change the layout with the visual editor.

To add a new section, hover over the area where you want to place it and click Add Section. The editor will provide some layout designs to choose from.

Navigate to the Home menu and select Add New Page to insert new web pages. Drag and drop the web pages to reorder them.

4. Sign up and publish your website

After finishing the customization process, hit the Publish Site button to create a Zyro account and finalize the web creation process.

Zyro’s free plan features hosting and a subdomain, allowing you to publish the site without purchasing a plan first.

What to look for in a website template

• The first thing to consider before selecting a web template is how it looks. The template’s design should align with the brand it represents but also contribute to user experience.

• User experience (UX) is a key factor for any successful website design.

• Search engine optimization (SEO) is another aspect you should consider. Use a responsive website template to accommodate all screen sizes.

• Your web design also determines the quality of your site’s hierarchy and navigation. Choosing a layout with a fixed navigation bar and a sitemap will ensure that.

Using the right web template allows you to boost the site’s conversion rate, SERP rankings, and exposure.

How to find out what template a website is using

One of the easiest ways to know a website design’s identification is by looking at its source code with a web browser’s View page source feature.

The template’s type and name are generally stored after the “style” or “stylesheet” tag.

Website theme detectors can provide this information in a few clicks. 

Keep in mind that many website owners change or omit their web design’s name for privacy reasons.