How do I make a custom template?

This applies to Joomla 1.0.13 and 1.5

When you install Joomla, it comes with several basic templates to get you started. In addition to these starter templates, there are literally thousands of templates available for download on the internet. Many of them are free, and many of them are purchased.

Where do I find more templates:

But I can't find what I want!

But, what if you just can’t find what you are looking for? You’ve searched the free templates and the commercial templates, and they just don’t meet your needs.

The next option is a custom template, made just for you. Again you have several options.

If you can find a a template (free or commercial) that is CLOSE to what you want, you can then customize that template (or pay someone to do it for you). This is generally the quickest and cheapest route.

But, what if you have a website already and you want to make it a Joomla website and keep the same look. Or, perhaps you have seen another website that you want to imitate. Or, maybe you have seen a non-Joomla template that you like (on Template Monster, or some other template source), and you would like to have that converted to Joomla.

Or maybe you need something created just for you?

What do you do?

First of all, be aware that building a Joomla website is not a simple task. It requires a fairly full understanding of how Joomla works and how its pages are built. Unless you are very good with Joomla and with some web graphics program (like Dreamweaver or Fireworks), this is not a task for a beginner.

But, having said that, here are some ideas.

First of all, there are a number of “how to create your own template” tutorials on the web. Here are some links that might help you.

In addition, there are some companies that have created commercial tutorials and add-ins to Dreamweaver that will help you quite a bit.

And, there are a number of the Joomla web design firms that will help you design a custom site or convert a site into Joomla. Do a Google search for "Custom Joomla Templates."

My advice? Customize an existing template that is close to what you want. If you know a bit about web editing and CSS, it is fairly straight forward to change the graphics, the fonts, the color scheme, etc. on an existing template.