So I built my first template or design or whatever these are called which I am planning to sell. See here: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104410405/HTML%20Templates/Dark%20Iron/index.html Now I have a few concerns: 1 - How do I show off the full potential of this template without messing it up? 2 - How can I let potential buyers see it without them being able to 'steal' the template? 3 - What could I improve upon in that design? 4 - Where can I sell designs?
If this is an HTML page I think that the right place where to submit it is http://themeforest.net/ - There they sell also HTML template. The best option if you plan to sell template and website design is to create a Website and a portfolio where to show all your works. If you know how to design a wordpress theme, you can create freemium version of the theme, and limit their function and share them via the Wordpress directory. Then setup a small digital goods ecommerce with WooCommerce and Wordpress maybe and put your complete version in there. To show the full potential of the template the best way is to setup website on a subdomain on your Portfolio website. There you can create it as best. In themeforest you see lot example of this kind.
When I develop my template, I use Fireworks. I first create the basic idea I have in mind. Then I search for blog that are on the "idea" maybe other design in different marketplace. Then I create all the design and then I will develop it on a basic template if itis for wordpress, or you can use Dreamweaver if it is an HTML template. The best things I think is to design without being worried to what we need to code later. Make the design clear and complete, with every single pixel in place. When everything is ready I take care about the code. If I don't know how to do it, I will learn, but not changing the design. Template after template I will get to the point to know more or less what I love to design and how to develop it.
most people show only screenshots, or output the PSD's as a .jpg file to display to clients. You can even go further to put a watermark across the .jpg file. Showing the .html files means anyone can just grab everything in one go. Sadly, no way to prevent this....