How to Create Website Templates to Sell

In today’s digital age, website templates are in high demand. Businesses, freelancers, and individuals want professional, customizable designs that they can quickly deploy without hiring expensive developers. If you have a knack for design and coding, creating website templates to sell can be a lucrative side hustle or full-time business.

In this blog post, we'll explore how to create website templates that stand out in the market, from initial design to development and finally selling your product.

Why Sell Website Templates?

Before diving into the how-to, it's important to understand why selling website templates is a smart business idea:

• Scalability: Create once, sell multiple times.
• Low overhead: No inventory or shipping.
• High demand: Websites need fresh, responsive designs regularly.
• Flexible work: Work from anywhere and anytime.

Step 1: Research Your Market

The first and most important step is understanding what types of website templates are in demand.

• Identify your niche: Are you designing templates for eCommerce, portfolios, blogs, corporate websites, or landing pages?
• Study competitors: Look at popular marketplaces like ThemeForest, TemplateMonster, or Creative Market to see trending styles and features.
• Understand user needs: Who is your target audience? Beginners, professionals, or businesses?

Tip: Focus on niches you know well or are passionate about—it makes design and development easier and more authentic.

Step 2: Plan Your Template

Planning your template is crucial to save time and create a focused product.

• Define the layout: Sketch wireframes or use tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.
• Determine essential pages: Homepage, About, Services, Contact, Blog, etc.
• Decide on features: Responsive design, sliders, contact forms, SEO optimization, etc.
• Choose color schemes and typography: Consistent branding elements improve user experience.

Step 3: Design Your Template

Now it’s time to bring your wireframes to life with design.

• Start with a style guide: Define fonts, colors, button styles, icons, and spacing.
• Use design tools: Adobe XD, Figma, or Sketch are popular for UI/UX design.
• Create a visually appealing layout: Use whitespace effectively, keep navigation intuitive, and ensure the design is clean and modern.
• Optimize for mobile: Responsive design is non-negotiable.

Step 4: Develop Your Template

After the design is finalized, it’s time to code your template.

• Choose your tech stack: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and optionally frameworks like Bootstrap or Tailwind CSS.
• Write clean, modular code: Use semantic HTML tags and well-organized CSS.
• Ensure responsiveness: Test your template on different screen sizes and browsers.
• Add interactive elements: Use JavaScript or jQuery for sliders, dropdown menus, modals, etc.
• Integrate SEO best practices: Use meta tags, alt attributes for images, and optimized headings.

Step 5: Test Thoroughly

Testing your template is critical to avoid customer complaints and negative reviews.

• Cross-browser testing: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.
• Device testing: Mobile, tablet, and desktop.
• Performance: Check load speeds and optimize images and scripts.
• Usability: Make sure navigation is clear and forms work correctly.
• Fix bugs: Review and fix any code issues.

Tools like BrowserStack or LambdaTest can help automate cross-browser testing.

Step 6: Package Your Template

Your template needs to be easy to install and use.

• Include documentation: Write clear instructions on how to customize and install the template.
• Organize files: Use a logical folder structure for HTML, CSS, JS, and assets.
• Compress the package: Zip your files for easy download.
• Offer demo links: Showcase your template live so potential buyers can try before they buy.

Step 7: Choose the Right Platform to Sell

There are multiple platforms to sell website templates:

• Marketplaces: ThemeForest, TemplateMonster, Creative Market – large audiences but they take commissions.
• Your own website: Full control over pricing and branding but requires marketing effort.
• Etsy or Gumroad: Good for smaller niche templates or unique styles.

Step 8: Price Your Template Competitively

Pricing can be tricky. Research competitor prices and consider:

• The complexity of your template
• Included features
• Support and updates offered
• Licensing (single use, multiple use, extended licenses)

Start with a competitive price and adjust based on customer feedback and sales volume.

Step 9: Market Your Template

Even the best template won’t sell if no one knows about it.

• Create a compelling product page: Use high-quality screenshots, detailed descriptions, and demo videos.
• Leverage social media: Share your designs on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
• SEO: Optimize your product page with relevant keywords.
• Email marketing: Build an email list and notify subscribers about new templates or discounts.
• Collaborate: Partner with influencers or bloggers in your niche for promotions.

Step 10: Provide Excellent Support and Updates

Good customer support and regular updates build trust and encourage repeat sales.

• Respond promptly: Answer questions and fix issues quickly.
• Offer customization tips: Help buyers get the most out of your template.
• Update for compatibility: Keep templates updated with the latest web standards and browser versions.

Bonus Tips for Success

• Stay current: Keep up with design trends and web technologies.
• Build a portfolio: Showcase your templates and client work.
• Collect feedback: Use customer reviews to improve your products.
• Offer freebies: Free templates can build your brand and attract buyers to premium versions.
• Expand your offerings: Create templates for different industries and purposes to diversify income.

Conclusion

Creating and selling website templates is a fantastic way to combine creativity with technology and generate passive income. By researching your market, planning carefully, designing and coding high-quality templates, and marketing effectively, you can build a successful online business.

Remember, the key to success lies in understanding your customers’ needs and continuously improving your templates based on feedback and trends.

If you’re ready to start your website template business, begin by sketching your first design today. Your future buyers are just a few clicks away!