PSD to XHTML Conversion - why it is important in template based design

For the purpose of building a website one of the basic needs is of layouts. It is the layout that first comes to the sight of viewers. So the layouts or the templates have to be very much attractive at the same time showing off the purpose of your business. However, in this speedy life, how many of us have time to get out website layouts custom designed? It is always better to purchase a ready template. With the ready templates there come PSD files. These files help build the site within less time just with simple PSD to XHTML conversion. The templates are also affordable.

Anyways, we have to admit that the templates need to be customized to mould them according to specific business needs. Clients come to me with a ready template. Consequently, as a freelance graphic designer, I have to do the PSD to XHTML conversion. Now while this conversion takes place the result needs to be perfect. But to achieve the perfection, there are some certain points that need to be taken care off. Let us see some of the points:

• The pixel perfect conversion: When we designers design anything, our aim remains the best output that soothes eyes yet goes very much user-friendly. So when we or someone else does the PSD to XHTML conversion, the slicing of PSD elements (then images) need to be perfect. If there is any difference in a single pixel the look may just turn different when tested on browser.


• Image compression: It is very important that the web pages are light weight to load fast and the viewers see the beauty of your design. So when performing PSD to XHTML conversion the images need to be compressed and these will help even compression of the XHTML. Even the image resolutions have to be proper.



• Fresh & table less coding: When performing PSD to XHTML conversion it is very important that the coding is done preferably in DIV structure. It helps the exact conversion. At the same time the coding has to be fresh and there should not be any unnecessary DIV. If these things are done with care, the looks of the layout remains same as it was designed in the PSD.


• Logical coding: It is not that we designers or the html coders do not want to find our work reflect the output we desired! But it is the PSD to XHTML conversion that may prevent the same result. Simply without any logic of conversion can lead everything to sea! For example, not using the external and separate file for CSS and JavaScript shows different result in the browsers.


• W3C validation: Last but not the least is standard PSD to XHTML conversion norms. Yes, it is always expected and not unexpected that the conversion is validated according to W3C. Just following the validation you would find that PSD and XHML have gone perfect. It also provides mental satisfaction to you about the quality of work.

These are one of the major important points to remember when you are buying templates for building your website and have to go for PSD to XHTML Conversion. Most of the times you may find there is need to change the PSD also. There come some sections that do not go by the standard of XHTML. So it is always better that you buy the readymade templates from reputed designers. And to know the quality of design of any designer, you may check the web and graphic design portfolio. These will help you to judge the design sense and perfection. On the other hand it is a good decision to buy the XHTML files from the same designer. However, you may find PSD to XHTML conversion not that, much costly. Hope you find better PSD and expert coder to do the conversion to XHTML.

jQuery templates Vs static templates: The underlying story

It is not the time to go ordinary in any aspect of life! Obviously the trend of the online presence has to be the same. When looks does matter, you can hardly think of static templates to build your website with! And more importantly if you can get some of the best dynamic effects just choosing jQuery templates, why you just think of little fast loading and some savings on the costs?

While working as a freelance graphic designer, clients ever want to know from me which templates would be better for their websites? I do tell them some of the best features of jQuery templates in comparison to static templates. Here I am trying to tell you people some facts about these two layout types:

• Little fascination on dynamic design: If you do not like to make your web pages very much plain and static in look, you should choose jQuery templates. You would love to see some catchy dynamic touch in designs for using jQuery. Without going for expensive Flash effects, you can get some nice dynamism of javascript animations through the huge jQuery library. But your wish of having some colorful effects without animation can easily be fulfilled with static templates for sure.


• Cross browser compatibility is no headache: While working, we have found that static layouts create some tough issues while making the templates (missing) cross browser compatible. But at the time of using jQuery layouts there is hardly any issue as all JavaScripts in the library comes compatible. So why waste times with the static ones!


• Plug-ins work very nice with jQuery templates: For various reasons your website developers has to use the plug-ins in your sites. And many a times complains come from the developers that the static templates are not working fine. While the jQuery made templates almost do not create any problem with plug-ins functioning.


• Maintaining standard compliance is important : It is found that using the jQuery templates validation and standardization is no problem. jQuery effects are XHTML, CSS validated through W3C. While using static templates designers and developers have to work hard to make everything properly validated.


• Fast loading & easy update is a matter of consideration: You may be thinking of a low cost design and hiring comparatively less experienced designers to get your templates designed. In this case static templates turn good as updating those are easy. Again static and plain layouts comparatively can be made to load fast. jQuery templates can be little complicated to handle if the designers are not that much experienced. You should not end up losing time, labor and money.

Hope the above points have made it clear to you how is the scenario incase you want to know what is gone be the result in the tussle of jQuery templates Vs static templates. Finally I can tell you, it completely depends on the affordability and desire of you on choosing one type of template for your site. But whatever the choice, while choosing designer or their work, you must have a look at their web and graphic design portfolio to know how much capable they are to provide you jQuery templates or static templates. One thing more, it is not that you can not get the jQuery based templates in affordable price! You only have to search a little on internet – that is all.