Template Monster provides web site templates that are honestly more attractive and stunning than most web sites I see that have cost $15,000-$20,000. The beauty of the templates is that you can change the colors, pictures, logos etc…you can adapt the template to match the looks of your business. The most expensive template I have seen is $65. With Template Monster you pay for the template and you pay a web designer to adapt it. You could spend around $1,000-$2,000 instead of $15,000-$20,000 and have a web site that will stun and attract your web visitors.

One of the web designers I know, Frank Siano from Sono Design, told me a great tip about the templates. He said if you see a template you like a lot, but another one has a header, flash movie or navigation you like you can buy both templates and simply transfer the header/flash/navigation over. Basically, you can take different parts of different templates and use them to make a unique site.

Template Monster does allow you to buy a site where it can be exclusively yours and no one else can buy it after you.

Finding a Web Designer

I suggest you find a web designer in your area that doesn’t mind adapting a template for you. I will say that there are web design companies that feel they are too good to do such work, but I think the truth is they would prefer to make customers pay an arm and a leg and make money (no offense to some of those web designers- not all are like that).

Sometimes you do better going with the smaller web designer that either works alone or only works with a couple of people. You should not see that money is their main goal. I had a customer over the other day and he said, “You are really turned on by this stuff, aren’t you?”. Well, maybe…a little. I do admit I get a thrill watching customers web sites move up on Google and show up for tons of search phrases on all the search engines. At the same time, I like the work and I work hard. As a freelancer my goal is to exceed expectations, because word of mouth is crucial to me making a living. I am still driven and not burnt out (yet).

My point is you need to choose someone that is not too good for anyone and that is driven to create beautiful web sites. You also want a web designer that will not be offended when your SEO person has suggestions. SEO and web design are intermingled, but they are two totally different animals. SEOs and web designers need to get along to create an effective and attractive web site.

Template Monster Suggestions

• I suggest Full Site templates and I think Template Monster says it best:

“All of the templates from the full site web templates category consist of a main page and the necessary content pages corresponding to each of the menu tabs. Each page has a different design and may include its own header (flash-animated header as well).With full site web templates you do not need to develop any sub-pages because you already have them with the package. The only thing you need to do is to replace sample content with your own.”

• I also suggest to try and go with a CSS template.
• Oh FYI, they have great WordPress templates
• When you view the templates always look at them and consider you can change all the colors, pics, logos etc. Everything can be adapted- everything! So, keep that in mind and it will be easier to choose a template.
• Consider the navigation- do you like it above the header? Below the header? On the right? On the left? Keep this in mind too. It will help you move through templates easier.
• I know Template Monster has everything broken down in categories, but you do not have to stick to business (if you are in business). I have seen some great templates in the beauty section that would be great for a business.
• Take a lot of time. There are nearly 6,000 templates. Even if you narrow it down to full sites that are CSS you will still need to take a lot of time to scan through them all.
• Right click and save a pic of all the templates you are considering. It automatically saves the # of the template for you and later you will be able to look at all of them and see which one (or two) you like best. If you don’t want to save a pic at least write down the # of the template. It may be impossible to find again (there are that many templates).

So there is my blurb on Template Monster. As I said before, my goal is to help businesses save money and I know that Template Monster will help you obtain a professional and stunning web site affordably.

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On another note. I would like to have a list of web designers that have solid experience adapting Template Monster templates. If you are one of those web designers and you can show me some of your work please email me you. Besides this blog I have 3 other sites and a lot of clients that could use your expertise. Trustworthy and honest web designers…this is what I am looking for.