To create a website, you need the HTML, CSS and image files that make up a site. But if you don't want to start from scratch, you can use a free Web page design. This design, or template, includes files that come with the layout, style and graphics of each page. You just need Notepad and Photoshop to modify the free Web page designs you can get from providers such as Open Source Web Design (OSWD), Free Website Templates or TemplateWorld.
Instructions
OSWD
- 1
Bring up the OSWD website in your browser and click an option, such as "Our Favorite Designs" or "The Most Popular," under the Sections and Features heading. You also have the option to click "Search All Designs" and enter keywords to find templates in a particular category.
2Click the design you like to see a larger view of the template and then click the "Download" link to get the ZIP file that contains the design. The free design includes an images folder, along with an index file, CSS stylesheet, "Readme" text document and Photoshop document, or PSD, file.
3Launch Notepad to edit your HTML and CSS files and then start your Photoshop application to customize the design. View the "Readme" document for specific instructions on using the template.
Free Website Templates
- 4
Browse to the Free Website Templates site to view the free designs on the page, or enter keywords in the Search field to find a template that relates to your desired topic. Hover your mouse over a template to determine whether the template is available for download or if it needs to be used on Wix, which is a free website builder.
5Click the template of your choice to see the style, images and layout of the design. Click on menu tabs to see the various pages that come with the site.
6Click the "Download" link to get a ZIP file that contains the template's HTML files, CSS file, images and PSD file. Use Notepad and Photoshop to modify the design.
TemplateWorld
- 7
Point your browser to TemplateWorld's Free Website Template page and then scroll through the available design listings. Optionally, click the drop-down menu to pick a category, such as "Designer" or "Recently Added," to narrow your search.
8Click the image of the design you want to preview, or click the "View" link to bring up the sample site. Each template displays its important features, such as its size and whether it uses tables or not, to help you make your decision.
9Click the "Click Here" link next to the Download title to get the template's ZIP file. Each template typically includes the images, CSS and HTML file that goes into the design. Launch Notepad to customize your template.
