Create A Template
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Ever wondered how to save hours when you need to update your site in Dreamweaver? Want to know how to create a website using DW’s template system? Then read on….
Dreamweaver Templates. A Beginners Guide
Hope you find this useful, as an example, we will be using a dreamweaver layout, but the principle can be applied to all designs…
This is part one of our great tutorial series for Dreamweaver. The 9 other parts are only available via our newsletter and include such topics as
- How to use Dreamweaver to build my own site
- How to launch my own site via Dreamweaver
- How to manage my site using Dreamweaver
- How to make money from my Dreamweaver website
- and much mre besides
Why use a template in Dreamweaver?
By using a template in dreamweaver, you greatly reduce the workload needed to manage a website that has similar core content such as menu navigation, sidebar content and header/footer details.
When you update the template, you can update all the selected pages using this template in one instance. Simple and effective.
Can I use a template without using Dreamweaver layouts?
Yes, just create your design and follow the steps below, just remember to create your editable regions before you save the template.
Can I change the template at anytime in the future?
Yes, and simply transfer your content accordingly into the new template.
Step by step guide for beginners wanting to create a template:
Step 1: In dreamweaver go to FILE | BLANK TEMPLATE and select a layout from the ‘layout’ window
Step 2: Insert an editable region (see appendix below) by using the menu and selecting INSERT | TEMPLATE OBJECTS | EDITABLE REGION and name it something like ‘centre_content’
Step 3: Then save your template and name as MASTER_LAYOUT or similar
Step 4: Now to create a page from this template (.dwt) In the DW menu follow the steps FILE | NEW | SELECT PAGE FROM TEMPLATE and click on the template you have just created.
Step 5: Insert you relevant css reference
Step 6: Save this as index.html or whatever extension/page name you want to use.
Step 7: Insert your content into the editable region(s) you have created.
IMPORTANT: REMEMBER TO MAKE YOUR META TAGS AN EDITABLE REGION OR YOU WILL HAVE THE SAME CONTENT FOR ALL YOUR PAGES…NOT GOOD FOR SEO
Appendix
- .dwt – the extension gives to all templates you create in dw
- editable region – the area(s) you can add your page relevant content
- meta tags – in your head part of the page, this is where you will find meta description and meta keywords. Update these to an editable region so you can add page relevant content to each to assist in search engine optimisation theory…
This is part one of our great tutorial series for Dreamweaver. The 9 other parts are only available via our newsletter and include such topics as
- How to use Dreamweaver to build my own site
- How to launch my own site via Dreamweaver
- How to manage my site using Dreamweaver
- How to make money from my Dreamweaver website
- and much mre besides
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