Tips for using web templates

Templates are a great way to give your website a professional look without hiring a professional designer, but can do more harm than good if used improperly. Here are three important tips to keep in mind when using an HTML template:

1. Change the logo.
Chances are good the template designer did not intend for you to use the default logo. The right logo can turn any cookie-cutter template into something that looks original. If you don’t know how to design a logo yourself, learn how on a site like Good-Tutorials.com or hire a designer. This can often be done for as little as $20.
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Adding "last modified" code to your PHP website

Question: How can I use PHP to display the “last modified” date on my website’s main page?

Answer: For any type of website that includes factual information, it is important to tell users when the information was added to the site. Information that was relevant five years ago might not be so today. Using a “last modified” line at the bottom of the page is a standard way of accomplishing this.

If you are running PHP and have a content management system, it is sufficient to put the “last modified” code at the bottom of the index.php page or its corresponding template. That way, every time someone accesses any page on the site, the last modified code will be executed.

Edit your PHP file, and enter the following code:

The information after “//” is just a comment to remind you of what the code does. Save the file and re-upload it to your server (if necessary), and you are all done.

Photo: Flickr

Create your own website

Before you decide to create your own website, you should evaluate your own skill level. If you have made websites before and have experience with XHTML and CSS, you can skip to the next step. If you do not, you should start learning or consider one of the alternatives.

The second step is to decide if you want a dynamic or static site. If you choose dynamic, you should then choose a content management system (cms). Some web hosting providers will install a cms for you. Make sure you check with them. Finally, you will need to setup some type of management policy for updating the site regularly. Gone are the days of sites that can just sit there unchanged and receive thousands of visitors.

If you have no experience in web design, cannot afford to hire someone, and have no intention of learning, you still might be able to get by if your host will install your cms for you. Then, you can download a free template or purchase one. If you do not like that option, consider a site creation tool or software.