Setup Guide V1 (last updated January 4th, 2007)

Designed for the Gen7 Series Templates and Modules

Quick Step Guide

(step by step guide to building an effective web site: by Colin Fraser, Lead Designer Lucky Marble / i3dthemes)

Thanks for purchasing one of our web templates folks! I wanted to provide our new members with some sort of a guideline, or step by step 'road map' to help you build your web site effectively, and efficiently.

A  web template is a DIY (do it yourself) product. For less than $100, you can build a website that would cost thousands were it to be built by a professional development company. The trade off in savings, is the fact that you will need to utilize 'some' skills with an HTML editor, or even a graphic editor if you want to customize the look and feel. If you take a bit of time to learn the ins and outs of FrontPage, Expression Web, or Macromedia Dreamweaver you'll find that building your web site will be a rewarding experience. And you'll be able to keep it up to date without needing to pay someone else to do it. The money you save can be investing back into your business, hobby, or family vacation.

The FIRST step in any project is to determine which tools you'll be using, and then learn how to use them. Learning some basic skills before you start will help to ensure a positive, and rewarding experience. I've included some fairly specific video instructions  / text instructions that would enable you to build your website with very little, or almost NO knowledge of how to use an HTML editor. But I don't recommend you build your website without first learning the basics. Our templates are designed specifically for Microsoft's FrontPage, Expression Web or Macromedia's Dreamweaver (MX / MX2004 /8). Many of the tools included in your template are tools provided by the specific HTML editor you are working with.

To START:

Determine the best HTML editor for the job. We suggest any of the following HTML editors.

  • FrontPage 2003
  • Expression Web
  • Macromedia Dreamweaver

Purchase a reference book for your HTML editor, or sign up at www.lynda.com.

www.lynda.com provides excellent online video instruction. Learn the basics the easy way!

Having a reference manual on your desk will at least provide an easy access to answer the majority of questions you may have.

  • FrontPage 2003 for Dummies
  • Dreamweaver 8 for Dummies

The STEPS:

  1. Select a template package

  2. Download your template

  3. Install your template

  4. Open your template with your favorite HTML editor

    At this point have a look through, see what's inside. Now grab a piece of paper and start planning.

  5. Create a Storyboard

  6. Open your template, and remove (or hide) the pages you won't be using

  7. Create new 'template' pages that you will be using

  8. Create a navigation structure / modify the existing navigation structure / modify included components:


  9. Update or order your ''Website Name" graphic

  10. Update the content included in the Pre-designed pages


  11. Add content to the new 'template' pages

    By now, you should have a web site built, using the same basic design as the original, using new content for any new pages you've created, and using modified content for any of the pre-designed pages.

  12. Check for 'Broken' hyperlinks

  13. Edit your Page Titles, Title tag and Meta tags if you haven't already done so

  14. Test the links in all pages by previewing your index.htm page in a browser, and make sure you've removed any default content that you won't be using.

You should be ready to publish your web site to your hosting account. You can further modify the look and feel of the template.

  1. Replace the flash image

  2. Replace the themed image

  3. Replace the static header background image (if applicable)

  4. Modify the template colors

 

 
 

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