Hi all, I haven't been here for awhile but am now going to stick around. I am re-doing my website, and have searched on the net for free templates, as the budget is very low right now.

Does anyone know - once you download a free 'template', do you need additional software to edit it and post it? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you, Leslie Adams
Adams Virtual Assistance

Most templates will require an editing program to tailor the template and post to web; like Dreamwaver, Microsoft Expression Web, Coffee Cup (not my favorite), or other editing program.

This would not apply if you are utilizing a Wordpress site. Wordpress is a content management website system and you edit within the program from the internet. Wordpress does have many free templates available.

If you want a full HTML site then you need an editing program. You can search the web for free website templates. These will be basic. Also some editing programs come with free templates.

If you can come up with a little money for a HTML template a great site is i3dTHEMES (http://www.i3dthemes.com).

Best of Luck,

Julie

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Julie | Virtual Resource Services, Inc (VRSI)
http://www.vrsioffice.com

Thank you Julie for your prompt response. I just went over to Wordpress.com and .org to check out their themes. I'm not really familiar with Wordpress, but the templates there look to be for blogs, not websites (correct me if I'm wrong).

For example, I don't need a column for 'Archives', or a blogroll, but need menus for Home, About Us, Services, Testimonials and Contact Us.

How can I learn to customize these templates for a website without spending money? I'm a quick learner on a tight budget!

Thank you.

Leslie

There is a post on Wordpress.com vs Wordpress.org here.

Wordpress.com is generally for simple blogs. Wordpress.org is a platform that you install on your own hosting site. The Wordpress.org templates vary and generally do not look like a blog.

Do a search on this forum for Wordpress. I believe there are several posts on using Wordpress.

I create Wordpress site for clients who want to be able to edit content without using a 3rd party. However, my preference is a full HTML site. I really like the flexibility that a HTML site provides.

Best of Luck,

Julie

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Julie | Virtual Resource Services, Inc (VRSI)
http://www.vrsioffice.com

Leslie,

First we need to know if you are using a template that is HTML, CMS (such as WordPress) or a builder type program. Either way it sounds like you have very little web development experience so I am thinking that this is not going to be an easy task for you.

In my opinion WordPress is the best option as you can get a site up an running pretty easy and then customize and grow it as you get the experience and knowledge that you need.

There are many free templates available and there are also many quality premium themes that are low cost.

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Lee Drozak

Ipage has a drag and drop functionality with some nice templates if you are looking for something easy to develop your site.

Thank you all for your informative responses!

I have now investigated based upon your suggestions, and am going with a HTML website that I am editing in Frontpage. It's going well - I'm a quick learner and am editing in both the Design view, and HTML code.

Thanks everyone!

Leslie