The best way to get a template is to have someone professional design your web site layout for you! This will ensure that your template is uniquely designed for your business. It will be easier for you to make changes in future. Typically, a template may cost you between $0-$500 depending on intensity and added features!

Now, we've talked about "Slow loading pages". I've found a good "norm" to stick with when it comes to size and speed: Web sites are compiled of 2 elements:

1) Graphics & Layouts

2) Programming & Pages

Both of them require memory from your computer when downloading them. If one or other is too large then this may result in negative results for your visitors.

Here's a good norm to stick with, either you or your web designer should stick with these specs:

1) Graphic Design Layout: Should be no more than: 30-50K in size

2) Programming Pages: Shouldn't be more than: 10-30k in size

Giving your entire web page no more than 40k-80k in size. Anything drastically more will result in loss of many visitors from slow downloading pages.

Animation: Last but not least, making "some" aspects of you page stand out by adding small size animations. PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT overkill your site with graphics and animation!!! I can't stress this enough, your visitors will most likely get a head ache from it and won't be coming back very soon.

Instead, try targeting specific promotions or services you wish to attract your visitors to right away! Many sites exchange "animated banners" with other sites to exchange traffic. I personally NEVER take part in adding ANY banners on my site. I honestly feel that banners only take away from design, not add to it! A typical "Banner Dimensions" is 468px x 60px. There are many other sizes!

What I will usually take part in, if any, is smaller, more unique banners that are geared to complimenting an article or text with it. This is much more effective because study shows us that "Content (text)" accompanied by a "graphic image" is more likely to be read by our visitors than just text on its own.

Martin R. Lemieux Smartads Information Centre Advertising, Marketing Resources & Web Design http://www.smartads.info

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You've read objections and opinion. Here's information:

According to US Department of Commerce, Internet traffic doubles every 100 days. In year 2000, there were approximately 102 million Internet users in US alone. Today, 70% of America is on Internet. In 1994 entire Internet economy was $5 Billion, in 1998 that same figure was $301 Billion, and Forrester Research predicted that that figure would be $3.1 Trillion by 2003. Well 2003 is almost over, and latest statistics available at time of writing show this to be a reasonable expectation. 65% of people in America that are on Internet make their buying decisions online… there are more people that access Internet when they're looking to buy products and services than there are that pick up yellow pages.

Now, I ask you, does your business need a web site?

There are many qualified web designers that are quite capable of developing a cost effective, aesthetically appealing and functional web site for your business. You can find them on web or in phone book. Good luck with your business!