Dreamweaver Templates - How to Save 1000 of Hours Using Them!

Now you may think "OK, you are going to talk aboutyou created).
fancy webtemplates out there which may save my(6) Select File>Save as Template... In the dialog
initial designing efforts".box,check weather the site name you gave has been
No, I am going to talk about "how to make whateverselectedand give a name to your template.
templateyou choose a BIG-Time-Saver".Dreamweaver will automaticallycreate a folder called
The most misunderstood aspect of web templates is"Templates" in your root folder and save thetemplate
using themas time servers. If you use same HTML filein it (Note: Don't rename or move this Templates
and change aparticular part and save it as anotherfolder).
web page, you moveonto a big mess that can cost(7) Select a particular part that may get changed from
you 1000 of hours in the future.page to page
The most phenomenal factor of a web site is(Like a special table cell where you add body content).
"changing".(8) Select Insert>Template Objects>Editable
No matter how nice your template looking now, youRegionand give a name. Then save the changes.
will wantto change it (For adding a special offer toEditable regions allow you to add unique content to
every page etc).each page.
Think, by the time you will have 100 web pages and ifDefine appropriate editable regions in your template,
youused "Save As" method you will have to open upespeciallyfor head and body.
all 100 pagesand make the necessary change 100To define editable regions, I prefer direct coding.
times.Your unique content is here.
How about doing the change one time and making allGive different names for each editable region.
100 pageschanged at the same time? Cool, ha? NowYour editable region exists between above tags.
let's move onto thepractical side of doing this.(9) To create a new page using this template select,
I assume you can work with Macromediae-Name.
Dreamweaver MXYou will notice that except the editable regions,all other
(Tip: Free trial for Dreamweaver is available atparts of the page are "not editable".
(1) First create a root folder anywhere in your hardWhenever you want to make a change to all pages
disk.do it on thetemplate (Outside of editable regions) and
(2) Open Dreamweaver and select Site>New site...save it. Dreamweaverwill ask about updating related
(3) Dreamweaver asks several questions includingpages and will do it with a oneclick. Dreamweaver
yourserver information. Give a memorable name tomakes only the original change you madeand doesn't
your site.add any crazy codes to your pages.
You can omit server information and answer themThat's it! You have created a huge time saver.
later.Use this time to improve your site ontent.
(4) When it asks "Where on your computer do youFeel free to use this article on your web site, blog or in
want tostore your files?" choose the root folder youezineas long as the full content is displayed without
created above.any alterationand all active web links remain as they
(5) After setting up your new site, open your HTMLare.
filewhich contain your default site layout (Note: BeforeCopyright © All Rights Reserved.
opening,save this file and its contents in the root folder