1/29/2025

A Beginner's Guide to Using Templates in WordPress for Business Websites

Starting a business website can be overwhelming, especially if you're not web-savvy. But fear not! With WordPress, you can easily set up an appealing website using templates. This guide will take you through everything you need to know about using templates in WordPress for your business.

What Are WordPress Templates?

WordPress templates are pre-designed layouts that help you structure your website. They determine how your content displays but don’t confuse them with themes! Themes cover the overall design of your site, while templates focus on individual pages or posts, creating a unique look & feel for each one.

When you create a new page or post in WordPress, you can choose from various templates to customize your layout easily. You can find templates included in your chosen theme or install new ones if needed.

Why Should You Use Templates?

Using templates can make your life easier for various reasons:

Saves Time: You won’t have to start from scratch for every page. A template provides a solid base to work from.
Easily Customizable: WordPress templates are typically customizable, allowing you to make quick edits without diving deep into code.
Professional Appearance: Great templates can give your business website a polished & professional look that can impress visitors.
Responsive Design: Most templates are designed to be mobile-friendly, ensuring good user experience across devices. This can significantly improve your search engine optimization (SEO) since search engines like Google prioritize mobile-optimized sites.

Types of Templates to Consider

1. Homepage Templates

These templates often have a specific design in mind to showcase your most important offerings. You’ll find different layouts that push conversions by presenting your services, calls-to-action, or featured products prominently.

2. Single Post and Page Templates

The single post or page template is what most people think of when they imagine a blog or webpage. This is where your content resides, and it generally consists of a title, body content, and posts-related elements like comments and tags.

3. 404 Error Pages

We all hate landing on a 404 error page, right? A correctly designed 404 template can turn a disappointment into an opportunity. You can include navigational links or search functionality, minimizing frustration.

4. Custom Templates

If you have something specific in mind that the included templates don’t cover, you can create a custom template tailored to your needs. This option is usually available in themes that support Full Site Editing.

How to Choose the Right WordPress Template for Your Business

Choosing a template isn’t just about the aesthetics. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting one:

Purpose of Your Site: First and foremost, define the purpose of your website. Are you informing, showcasing products, or providing services? A blog wouldn’t benefit from the same template as an e-commerce site.
Customization Options: Look for templates that offer customization. You want the freedom to adjust elements like colors, fonts, & layouts to match your branding.
Responsiveness: Make sure the template is mobile-friendly. A responsive template ensures your website looks great on any device.
SEO-Friendly: Templates should be coded so that search engines can easily crawl and index your site.

How to Access & Edit Templates in WordPress

Step 1: Accessing the Template Editor

To access your templates, go to your WordPress dashboard. Here’s how:

Log in to your WordPress admin area.
Navigate to Appearance > Editor.
(For newer versions of WordPress using Full Site Editing, you'll find it under Appearance > Site Editor.)

Step 2: Selecting a Template

Once you are in the Template Editor, you’ll see all available templates listed on the left-hand side. You can select different templates for your posts or pages based on their layout and functionality:

Click on any template to load its structure.
To apply a template to a page/post, navigate to your Pages/Posts and select the desired template from the Template option in the settings sidebar.

Step 3: Customizing Your Template

Once you’ve selected a template, customizing it is a piece of cake!

Within the Template Editor, you can adjust text, images, and other elements to fit your brand.
Use blocks to tweak various sections like the header, content body, and footer.

Don’t forget to save your changes!

The Power of Full Site Editing

With the recent WordPress updates, Full Site Editing (FSE) gives you more control over the entire site using a block-based approach. Here are a few benefits:

Easier Customization: It allows you to change entire site layouts at once rather than working on one page at a time.
Reusable Blocks: Create reusable block patterns that apply consistently across various pages.
Dynamic Content: Easily modify content that can change based on user interaction, like personalized greetings or product recommendations.

If you're curious about this, check out the Full Site Editing documentation.

Installing New Templates

There's a vast collection of templates available, from free ones at the WordPress Theme Directory to premium templates on marketplaces like ThemeForest and Elegant Themes. To install a new template:

Choose a template you like.
Go to your WordPress dashboard & select Appearance > Themes.
Click Add New or Upload Theme to install custom templates.
Follow prompts to activate it.

Ways to Optimize Your Templates

Once your website is live, you’ll want to ensure it's as effective as possible. Here are some tips:

Optimize for Speed: Use lightweight templates and compress images to speed up loading times.
Integrate SEO Tools: By using SEO plugins like Yoast SEO, you can make sure your content is optimized for search engines.
Regular Updates: Keep your themes updated to the latest version to fix bugs and improve functionality.

Promote Your Business with Arsturn

Now that you're equipped with the knowledge of using templates, how about stepping up your website's engagement game? With Arsturn, you can enhance your business website with AI-driven chatbots. These chatbots work interactively, engaging visitors & helping convert them into customers effortlessly.

Whether you want to boost customer support or enhance user interaction, Arsturn provides an intuitive way to create custom chatbots without needing tech skills. Best of all, it's remarkably easy to integrate into your WordPress website! So, visit Arsturn.com and take your website experience to the next level today!

Conclusion

Using templates in WordPress can be a game-changer for beginners starting a business website. By selecting and customizing the right templates, you can save time, improve efficiency, & make your site more engaging—all essential elements for a successful online presence. Now roll up your sleeves, dive into the world of WordPress templates, and create a stunning business website that reflects your brand!