What's in a Template?
Templates are pre-made or custom designed themes which are coded & installed to work within specific shopping cart software to sell products or services. They are also used for informational sites which do not sell products but want to provide information, maps, addresses & phone numbers for promoting a business & describing services.
Once a template is installed, it is visible on all pages of the website so there is no need to create & install the template on each page however sometimes an "entry" page is available & will be visible when someone visits a site & clicks on that page to enter the main site.
Templates can have many themes & so are a great way to enhance a site by using a theme to coordinate with the products or services you offer.
Most templates come with a header customized with your site name & slogan, coordinating buttons & backgrounds & several banners in different sizes to help advertise your business.
How Do I Get Started?
1) You will need a hosting company which provides specific shopping cart software. You can check out our approved hosting companies HERE.
2) A domain name for your site. A domain name is a registered address/name for your site. There are many options for domain names such as those ending in .com, .net, .biz or .org. A domain name not only restricts others from using your business name but also adds the address to your name so internet users can find your site. A popular & affordable domain registrar is GoDaddy.
3) Choose a template or contact a designer to have a custom template built. Prices vary greatly so choose wisely according to your budget & don't over do it on your first site as it takes time to begin seeing profits with any new business. Remember you can always upgrade to a more expensive or custom design later.
4) The fun begins! Time to add your products, images, content, descriptions, prices &/or services to your new website! Read tutorials on your hosting providers site to learn the best way to organize your site. Remember to personalize your site & make it interesting to visitors so they will come back.
5) Spread the word & promote your site by handing out business cards, flyers & exchanging banners. For more info on marketing your site please visit our Articles & Tips page.
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