Template Tuning

This is a new term that you may have encountered. If not, it doesn’t hurt to know what it means. Template tuning is a service performed by web graphic specialists to modify an existing template or website. Why is this different from web design?

The difference is that you are not going back to scratch. Web design also includes layout where “tuning” does not. With tuning you are only updating color and images.

In the case of CMS (Content Management Systems) you want to first pick a template. There are templates are specific to CMS systems like Wordpress, Drupal, Joomla and others.

When you find a template you like, you picked it because it had the desired layout and maybe color scheme that is closest to what you had in mind. A template tuner will modify the colors and images to better match your company’s brand.

For non-CMS web sites, these are static websites without a back end management system, the existing design can be tweeked or in some cases overhauled to be more streamlined.

Don’t think of templates as cheap. They are part of the process of website development and cut development time considerably. There are many places to get premium templates that are very nice. A web graphics specialist can “tune” the template to make it even better.

Also, there are templates that are meant for regular websites. However, be careful! Many web site owners think that the template they want to purchase has special features like “search” or “login”. They think wow for only $80 bucks that is a bargain! What they don’t realize is that the templates are displayed as mock ups. Just like fake TV sets in a model home, they are not real. It is just to show you how the feature would look and where the features are placed. Yes, disappointing, I know.

So if you are thinking of putting up a brand new web site, do some shopping and see if there is a template that represents what you are envisioning. To be safe, ask your web person if the template you want to purchase is a good one. They may be able to use it with modifications and “tune” it for you better.