LayoutsPack BLOG

Working with CSS is sometimes tricky. As great as this language is, as easy it is to use it incorrectly. Below are 10 most common mistakes web developers make working with CSS. These mistakes are well-known but still many of web developers walk twice (or even thrice) into the same water.

1. Neglecting Browser Compatibility
No matter what browser your website visitor is using the layout has to look the same. There are differences in the way Firefox renders the page and the way Internet Explorer does the task.
There is a number of sure methods to indemnify your layouts for different browser rendering. There are online tools that make screenshots of what your website looks like in different browsers and platforms, so you can be sure nothing looks wrong in a browser.

2. Ignoring Smaller Browser Resolutions
Not all your website visitors have large computer monitors. There is a big difference in the way your design looks in a 800×600 resolution  opposed to a 1024×768 resolution. Take that into consideration when developing a website and all your visitors will be happy.

3. Not Using Frameworks
Why loosing time to develop a CSS layout from the ground up when there are tonns of ready-to-use CSS templates that have cross-browser compatibility? They are created for you to make your life easier and your work faster.

4. Not Utilizing Generic Classes
Web developers often name CSS classes something different each time they develope a website. Isn’t it easier to make a simple CSS class that can be reused repetedly throughout your design? This will assure that your site design remains constant throughout the alterations of a design.

Here are the classes you might use:
1.  .right{float:right}
2.  .clear{clear:both}
3.  .left{float:left}

5. Forgeting to Validate the HTML
Validating HTML can affect your CSS. First of all, CSS can’t be validated until the HTML is validated. Secondly, the problems we think are caused by CSS can actually be caused by awry HTML. So make sure your HTML is valid.

6. Invalid CSS
If your CSS is valid you are much likely to have no problems with breaking CSS and its compatibility across browsers. Learn to validate the CSS.

7.  Using Gigantic Background Images
Using a huge backround image you make your visitor wait longer for it to load and it means you are using unnecessary bandwidth. It’s better to use repeating images or solid colors in the background.

8. Overusing CSS
It is sometimes much easier and faster to use different technologies for particular tasks. For instance, use a table to organize data than making complicated CSS-based layout with floating DIV’s.

9. Employing Inline CSS
CSS and HTML should be kept separate. Ensure you won’t have to search through the HTML for the CSS attached to an inline element when you decide to change the design.

10. Too Many Files used
A design with dozen CSS files attached is terribly hard to modify. Besides, it slows the time processing each file. Better use a simple CSS scheme. save your time and time of those who’ll have to make alterations to your layout.

LayoutsPack cares about its users and we try to provide you with useful and helpful information. We continue our Web Templates Types review, so please welcome some fresh pieces of advice. Today we are going to speak about Flash Templates.

Flash Templates represent ready-made usual web design templates improved by Flash technology. Nowadays Flash Templates are of great popularity as they are considered to be advanced and modern and are appreciated by webmasters. Using Flash Templates as a basis for your website you will get vivid and impressive web presence supplemented with movements, sound and visual effects. And you may be sure your clients and visitors will be amazed how professional and qualitative your website is.
Flash Templates can relate to various categories, such as Education Flash Templates, Business templates & Finance Flash Templates, Photo Flash Templates and many others. In other words they will perfectly fit each of your purposes, either commercial or personal, and will meet all your requirements. Though Flash Templates may seem difficultly organized because of impressive animation effects, they are quite easy to work with and customize. You won’t need extra knowledge to cope with your Flash Template editing. You can easily change necessary text, images or symbols with the help of certain flash editors which exist specially for simplifying your work.
In order to work with Flash Templates and edit them you will need to install Macromedia Flash on your computer. After the installation is complete you may open the FLA file (you will find the instructions in our previous post) and start carrying out necessary tasks.
Have a look at the following tips on editing your Flash Templates.

Changing text in Flash

In case you want to modify the text within your Flash Template you only need to take several steps.
First open your FLA file in Macromedia Flash. After that you need to select the very part of the text to be edited. The first way to do it is to make use of the timeline slider. You need to move it and watch the animation process, and when you reach the text you need to edit, stop the slider. Then find “Selection Tool” on the tools panel, double click the necessary text extract and change the text typing new one instead.

Symbols library
Sometimes you may find it hard to access some symbols from the timeline. In this case you may need symbols library. In order to open it select “Library” in “Windows” option which is in the top menu.
To open symbols library you can use “Ctrl + L” hotkey or choose “Window/Library…” from the top menu.
When you get to the symbols library you need to choose the text you want to edit. All the symbols there can be previewed for convenience. After you have found the necessary text double click the symbol’s icon and it will show the text in main window. Then do the same with “Selection Tool” to modify the text.

Text Properties
You can also edit your text size and color by means of Text Tool and Properties Panel. There you will find all necessary icons and options to make the modifications of the selected text.
After you have finished editing your text use “Esc” button to exit and then you may choose other text extracts to modify them as well.

Changing images in Flash
While working with your Flash Template you will definitely need to insert some images, so follow the advice.
After you have opened the FLA file press F11 to get to Symbols Library. Find the necessary symbol there and double click its icon to see the properties. There you will find image preview and be able to check the image size. The picture you want to upload should be of original image size to fit the original animation and effects. You can also set the quality of the image using symbol properties.
You can also resize the image using Adobe Photoshop. To use the image in flash after modification make sure it has “jpeg”, “gif” or “png” format. Use “Import” option and find your image file to paste it then.

Publishing Your Flash Movie
When all the changes are done you should publish your animated header and update it. In order to publish your movie choose “Publish Settings” selecting “Publish” option there. The SWF file will be located in the same folder where FLA file is. Don’t forget to replace previous SWF file with updated one, and then check the changes.

So this was the basic information on Flash Templates we wanted you to familiarize with today. Hope you will make use of it and thank you for the attention.

You are welcome to leave comments and ask questions if necessary.

Layoutspack.com continues familiarizing its users with information about website templates types. And today we have Flash Animated Templates in question.

Flash Animated Templates are the kind of web templates that combine sound effects and live action in one. They may have flash header, animated menu and will appear a perfect solution suitable for impressing website visitors not only with professional design but also with interactive flash technology. Very often 3D models and 3D animation are used. Flash Animated Templates are good choice either for dynamic or static websites, and they will definitely make your website look professional and vivid.

A lot of web designers use Flash Animated Templates nowadays as they are considered to be stylish and improve your website presentation greatly. Nowadays there is a variety of Flash Animated Templates as their popularity grows day by day, and they are quite easy to use – you won’t need extra modern equipment to work with them.
The list of special software you will need to work with Flash Animated Templates is quite short and includes:

-    any HTML editor (Dreamweaver, Front Page etc)
-    Macromedia Flash
-    Adobe Photoshop

Any Flash Animated Template can be also modified according to your demands with the help of any popular HTML editor, and you won’t need special HTML and flash knowledge to edit and improve Flash Animated Templates. You can replace any photo, text or object easily.

In order to make necessary modifications you will work with the template FLA file - a file with all graphics and animation. You will make use of it with the help of Macromedia Flash MX 6 or higher. In order to open the FLA file, select “Open” in the “File” section, and then simply find where your FLA file is located.

“Unexpected file format” error

It happens sometimes that when you open your FLA file in the Flash editor you receive an error message which says that the file format is unexpected. This can be explained by the fact that your template source files were created with newer versions of the software.
So what are you to do? All you need is to upgrade your version of Adobe Flash/Macromedia, and you will be able to open the FLA file properly. In order not to meet such obstacles in future make sure you use Adobe Flash CS3 or Flash 8.
Thank you for your attention, this is the piece of information for today and we hope you will find it useful. Any comments and questions are accepted, so feel free to share your opinion.

It’s always exciting to start new services and feel the anticipation waiting for first requests.

As you already know last week LayoutsPack in association with WebTemplatesTalk started the new service of Website Templates Requests. Anyone subscribed to one of our Web Templates Packages just has to tell us what design he precisely needs and he’ll get it in a quickest turn around. (You may read more on this option at Website Templates Request post.)

Well, I’m happy to announce we’ve got the first order and we are already on the final stage of animating the skin! Here’s a Consulting company website design for user Pankson547.

Hope you are satisfied, Piter!

And for our other customers I remind – you will be able to download this Flash Animated template as well.
We encourage everyone to post their requests likewise. We’ll complete every order of any kind. So don’t forget to check us out for new updates and news.

Got a lot of web templates to choose from but can’t find the appropriate one? No frustration any more. We have some good news for those looking for any particular design solutions.

Layoutspack keeps it up to date and is ready to blow with an attractive innovation you may start enjoying now. Subscribing to any templates membership plan you can not only download our current collection or get new releases for free but also order a website template on your own. This means that whatever template you wish to get, LayoutsPack will make it for you.

Interested and willing to start?

Go to Web Templates Talk - discussion forum on any aspects related to web templates at one side, and our generous partner at another, and post your template requests. In your inquiries try to be as specific and detailed as possible simplifying the work of our designers.

Here are our conditions you should learn beforehand:

1. It is better for the desired template to refer to generic themes and not to be too specific. Thus it will appear more accurate and correct and will embody your ideas to the limit.

2. You can order no more than one template per month during your membership plan period.

3. The time you are to wait for the requested website template equals one or two weeks depending on the request queue.

4. When your template is ready LayoutsPack will publish it on the website in order you could download it at once. Thus you will be sure of what you get. But mind that after the work is done no correction demands are accepted.

5. And finally, it is useful for you to know that priority is given to those customers who have already subscribed to the templates membership at Layoutspack.com.

So don’t waste a minute and join as soon as possible. Layoutspack.com, a multiple website templates and membership plans provider, will embody your original ideas providing you with meritorious service.

LayoutsPack keeps its word and updates the collection of web templates regularly. Our team works hard to make new and beautiful website templates for every taste and purpose.

Today, I’m glad to show you our latest works.

Here is the new Consulting Group CSS Template

Its fresh and stunning design most definitely will help every small or medium size business to deliver its services and ideas to the customers. You are starting a consulting group, or you are an experienced businessman, but need a new look for your website? Well, in any case this Consulting Group CSS Template will suit you the best.

Our new Global Communication Flash Animated Template

It is a great skin for small and medium sized businesses connected with transmitting and receiving information on a world-wide scale. Provide people with your services online with our easy-to-use and edit Global Communication Flash Animated Template.

You are building, constructing or designing buildings? You need an innovative and eye-catching website? Our new Architectural Company CSS Template is just the right thing for you! Your web visitors will appreciate the easy navigation of this CSS template, and its marvelous design will help you to succeed.

And the last but not the least comes Horse Club CSS Template. Noble equestrian sport needs a stylish design; you can download it to show your beautiful horses, invite new people to the sport, offer your services online with our easy-to-edit Horse Club CSS Template

As promised, new website and flash templates are coming soon. Check back from time to time to find the new updates developed by our talented designers! Your feedback and comments are greatly appreciated!

And as always - Happy downloading

Seeking for the high-quality website templates? At Layoutspack.com you will find the most wonderful content and – what is not less great – have a chance to download all of them on the most beneficial conditions.

We have three kinds of templates membership for you and one of them is 1 year templates package. This solution is typical for professionals who have wide experience in building web sites and especially for those who want to amaze their clients.

With this very type of templates package you will get an instant access to all our website products during a year. You won’t deny that our prices are reasonable since other web sites offer you only one website template for nearly $100 and here at LayoutsPack you can have all of the templates during the whole year for only $89.95! Even if we renew our templates gallery with new releases during your membership terms, you won’t pay an extra-cent for any updates and can download them just like the other website templates with this package.

If you still have something to ask you are always welcome to submit all your inquiries at our special contact form. Our support system is known to be fast and well-organized so it won’t take long – you will get your question answered quickly.

Just imagine what possibilities become open to you if you sign up at our templates membership. We assure you that your success is inevitable while working with Layoutspack.com.

It’s for sure you met such phenomenon as template membership if you have ever wanted to purchase website templates. The task for you is to decide what type of membership will be the best solution for your cooperation with certain web site. With Layoutspack.com you have three templates membership packages to choose from.

The most popular membership package we offer is aimed at 6 months collaboration. It suits advanced developers, those who already have certain experience in creating web sites. In order to download all web templates from our web site during 6 months you are making one time payment of $59.95 only. It is extremely beneficial offer granting that it is only $10 more than 3 months membership but gives you much more time for using our service for free. Besides any time we update our templates gallery or release new templates, they are also available for you as well as existing ones while your templates membership is valid. And when you take into account the quality of our website templates you will see clearly that the quality-price ratio is incredible.

Besides there is our helpful support staff is always at your service. Just leave us a message and you will get it answered fast. Don’t worry about a thing – we are always ready to help you.

You will hardly find something similar to what we are eager to offer. Our templates membership terms are extremely convenient. If you are looking for qualitative website templates which you can purchase on advantageous conditions Layoutspack.com is the right solution for you.

It may be well known to you that in order to purchase website templates from a certain website you need to become its member first. And every time there is a choice between different types of membership a certain website offers you. Very often these types are divided into packages, like here at Layoutspack.com. We have three web templates packages for you to find the most suitable one.

3 months web templates package is the most appropriate solution for those who determined to start their website suiting their own ends or for commercial purpose. You will encounter a pleasant experience while working with this package and even if you are a beginner in web design sphere there won’t emerge any difficulties. This Website Templates Membership encourages you to cooperate with Layoutspack.com for 3 months and have a possibility of getting great amount of website and flash templates during this period for free. The price we offer is quite affordable and equals $49.95 for the whole 3 months period.

With this web package you will be able to download all website templates from our website without any supplementary payment. In case some new web releases or updates are added, you can download them as well as other website templates during the period of your membership actuality.

In case you have any questions we are ready to give you the necessary support. Just contact us using the form at our Support page and we will give you the answer within the quickest turnaround.

So after you made certain that this very kind of web template package is matching all your purposes, Join Us! Have no doubt - we promise it will be the soundest decision in order to get a successful result.

A few people buying website templates do not know how to edit them. Customization – making a template fit your needs and visions - is part and parcel of web templates. What you get as a “website template” differs from what you see in a live demo mode. With a web template purchase you get a set of files which must be customized prior to being downloaded to a server. Among them usually comes a .psd-file or, in other words, a Photoshop file which controls the appearance of your future website. Although there are numerous tutorials on the web teaching you how to work with Photoshop and website templates, most non-prepared users find it hard to make any use of them. Of great help there would be a video tutorial “Photoshop Tricks: Editing Web Templates for Websites”.