Free PHPLD templates do they help ?

So, you decided to jump into directory business and now are wondering, should I use free phpld template or shall I just keep using the default template ?

Well, let’s look at basic default template provided with the script. If we look at the default theme that is provided by phpld itself, it is pretty plain and simple, and looks like as if someone made the theme in a hurry, as it has no eye-pleasing looks at all. It can be compared to a “Black and White TV” in the LCD age. No offense here to David (owner or mind behind the project called phplinkdirectory or in short PHPLD). Now few can disagree to my above statement as for some default template is great, but that’s just because everyone is entitled to their own viewpoints, no arguing there. But for me I will stick to the “Black and White TV” viewpoint.

If we take a look back at PHPLD and its releases, there were not as many free templates for the directory itself, and even if there were, not many were great looking. But today, thanks to modern age, faster computers, more free time on young lads and the money these free phpld templates can bring, more and more exciting new looks and designs keep coming out on weekly if not daily basis.

Full Article Can be Read at Directory Blog by Hlog

By the way please look at the resources for free phpld templates also, and let me know if i have missed anyone out from the list.
Cheers

 

http://www.osdesigner.net/

 

Thanks did not add it, as it did not have too many free phpld templates, i want atleast maybe 5-7 free templates listed on a site before i offer the link to users. Thats why even my own site i have not added to the list.

Edit: Made a mistake hence removed All phpld link also. As they happen to have more premium templates and only 3 free templates.

 

All points raised are relevant but neither the original phpLD template or any number of free designed phpLD templates are original

So the main point that has to be considered is that if you use any free copy template

Sometime, someplace, you are going to come across the same identical template being used by another Directory

Bearing that in mind, any Directory that is planned and projected to go places should think long and hard before developing a Directory with a free issue template

Remember this is a very competitive vertical market, and it pays off

'in spades'


To be 100% Original and Unique with all aspects of your Directory including Template and Category Structure, Content etc

 

You may want to add http://www.emillie.net/blog in the list.
Thanks.

 

I think that simple xhtml/css templates people can use help even more. Well exposure is wider than with phpld template if you want to build backlinks. Also all people that use your template are potential customers at your directory.

Conclusion : every template for whatever script helps but some help more and those some are simple xhtml/css templates !

 

Trust me, unique design and well coded templates can't be released every week

 

I know that , i am coder too myself, thats why my site is not on that list cause i been working on other projects, like learning coding for wordpress, which i think i got it now, now to switch to joomla and other scripts. And you release a free template it does not remain "unique" anymore as

@ british, here is a quote from the article " . But if you are using free template, chances of you having a unique look are slightly lower than actually buying a template, or hiring a coder/designer to make a unique directory template, because someone else might also have stumbled upon the same theme "

So only way to have unique look that 100% unique is hiring someone to make one or buying unique template. Free templates can never be 100% unique.

@cocomo thanks i was looking for that sites link as it was on my mind.

@deluxdon thanks ,but someone might wana tell the dude that his links at footer are invisible , could cause him issues later on.

@iatbm i xhtml valid templates help a bit but, the complex the template and design becomes harder it is for a coder to code it to valid xhtml, and release it for free, as more resources get used.

 

This law will be applied for directories, who are using my templates. You can say they are not using unique design. Not for my templates!

My templates are unique, you have to justify my templates with others. You can't say that my template is not unique due to many users of same templates.


btw, your home your law. I believe this

 

I really don't understand why osdesigner.net doeasn't deserve to be on that list, but again it's your site.

 

Slightly lower? If you use a free template the chances are 99.9% that someone else at some time somwhere has used or is using or will use that template. If you get a unique template designed and coded your only chance of seeing it again is if someone steals it.

 

Vega did you understand what i was saying in the first place? Even if your design is unique, when you release it and a directory owner uses it , it does not mean his directory has got a unique look, cause there might be someone else also using the same template, thus you cannot claim that oh my directory is unique , cause i am using a unique free template. That is wrong.

@balkanboy same reason why i removed allphpld, did not include my own site, not enough or variety of templates released as free. That topic is only for free, i am going to write about premium and unique templates too, it will be included in that list. Its just the context, and its just the start of the blog, it will cover most topics directory owners wonder about.

 

Also http://www.phpld.us if you want to add it

 

Ok i am confused here, is phpld.us part of http://www.domaining.in/ cause i see all templates by http://www.domaining.in/ not by phpld.us ?

 

They are seperate sites but both owned by me - phpld.us is the templates site, domaining.in is the directory.

 

Ok so you want me to put phpld.us right and not the other one .

 

Please - if that's okay with you.. Sorry for the confusion!