We have all been there. Sitting at the computer ready to make a website with no idea how we are going to design the graphics. Especially graphics that will catch our viewers' attention and keep them on our page more then a couple of seconds. It can get really frustrating, believe me. I became so frustrated with hiring freelance designers to create my graphics that I decided to go back to school and study graphic design. I do not advise going that route though. It is very expensive, not to mention time consuming.



Graphic designers demand very high fees for their services. I was paying from $50 to $200 for one simple header graphic. I would get charged more of course if I wanted a footer, banner, custom logo, etc to go with the header. I finally said enough is enough and went to school before I realized that I could purchase templates for most of the graphics that I needed. I know what you're thinking- who wants to use a template that everyone else is using on their websites? Well that is a good question and a legitimate one to boot. The answer to that question is CUSTOMIZABLE templates.

After a little more research into the subject I found that you can purchase packages of customizable graphic templates. A customizable template can be changed till you have a very unique graphic with very little work or imagination on your part. All that is required is a graphics editor. Graphics editing software can be acquired for free online if you know where to look or you can get something like Photoshop Elements at your local super center retail outlet. Of course there are also major professional graphics editors out there that cost a pretty penny. The most popular software for graphics is of course Adobe Photoshop. This software is capable of doing a much wider variety of tasks then its' little brother Photoshop Elements. The major difference of course is the price. Photoshop will cost you a couple hundred dollars while Elements will only cost you about forty bucks. You can get a great program for editing graphics that is almost on an equal level with Photoshop for free. The name of this software is called The Gimp. I know, it has a funny name, but this software is nothing to laugh at. It will save you hundreds; if not thousands of dollars when it comes time to start you graphics design.

The main thing that you need to remember is that you will be saving yourself a lot of money by designing your header graphics yourself using header templates. Go out and purchase your header graphic template package for a few dollars then download the editing program of your choice, and you are all set to complete that professional website you've always wanted. Remember to spend a little time getting to know your software and of course don't get frustrated if it takes you a little while to get the hang of it. Have Fun!!

Using professionally designed header graphic templates and your choice of graphic editing software can save you lots of money and frustration when it comes time to build your presence on the web.