Selling website templates can be like running a digital lemonade stand—simple in theory, but with a ton of potential to scale if you do it right. Whether you’ve got a knack for web design or you just want to dip your toes into the world of passive income, creating and selling templates can be a solid business move. In this guide, we’re going to break down every step, from creating templates to marketing them online, with zero fluff.

Why Sell Website Templates?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's talk about why this is a good idea. Think about it: Every day, businesses, bloggers, and entrepreneurs are looking for quick, professional ways to set up their websites. Not everyone has the time (or budget) to hire a developer from scratch. Enter your ready-made templates. You create once, sell multiple times. If you play your cards right, this can be a hands-off stream of income—one that works for you even while you’re binge-watching your favorite Netflix show.

And let’s not forget the sweet spot: The demand is constant. People will always need websites, and as trends change, new templates are needed. Whether you're into minimalistic designs or over-the-top, full-featured ones, there's an audience out there for your style.

Types of Website Templates

When it comes to making templates, you have some options. Let’s break them down.

1. Personal Websites These are for bloggers, freelancers, and small-time creators who need a simple but professional online presence. Think clean lines, easy-to-navigate layouts, and something they can customize without breaking a sweat.

2. Corporate or Business Websites Businesses need a polished and professional look, but without the bloated price tag. This is where your business templates come in. You can design layouts for portfolios, service showcases, or landing pages.

3. eCommerce Templates Everyone wants to sell something online, from handmade crafts to digital products. eCommerce templates have a lot of moving parts (shopping carts, product pages, checkouts), but they’re also highly in demand because every seller needs one. Make sure these are easy to customize, and you’ll have customers lining up.

4. Creative Portfolios Think photographers, designers, and artists who need to show off their work in style. Portfolios tend to lean toward the artsy side, which gives you some creative freedom to experiment with layouts, animations, and typography.

5. Landing Pages These are for businesses or marketers who need a single page to convert visitors. They’re short, sweet, and all about simplicity. If you can master clean, high-converting designs, landing page templates could become your bread and butter.

Platforms for Selling Website Templates

Now that you’ve got an idea of the types of templates to create, let’s talk about where to sell them. Some platforms are tried-and-true for selling templates, while others might give you a chance to stand out in a less crowded marketplace.

1. TemplateMonster TemplateMonster is one of the big players in the template-selling game. They allow creators to list their templates for businesses, personal websites, eCommerce stores, and more. The upside is that you can reach a huge audience, but the competition is fierce. Be sure to focus on quality and niche designs that stand out.

2. ThemeForest ThemeForest, part of the Envato network, is another major platform. It’s massive and hosts all kinds of digital products, including website templates. Like TemplateMonster, the market is crowded, so you’ll need top-tier designs to succeed. But if you do, the potential for sales is enormous.

3. Creative Market A bit more niche than ThemeForest, Creative Market is perfect for creative portfolio templates, personal blogs, and smaller-scale eCommerce stores. The community here tends to appreciate more artistic, unique designs, so it’s a great place if you’re not into the whole “corporate look.”

4. Self-Hosted Website If you don’t want to share your revenue with a third-party platform, why not sell directly from your own website? With platforms like WooCommerce or Shopify, you can set up your store in no time. You’ll have to handle marketing, but the reward is higher profit margins and full control over your brand.

Marketing Strategies for Template Sales

Selling templates is half the battle; the other half is making sure people actually find your stuff. If you think about it, there are thousands of templates out there, so how do you stand out? The key is marketing—smart, targeted marketing.

1. SEO: Get Found on Google

Let’s face it: If your template doesn’t show up on search engines, it’s like trying to sell ice cream from a hidden alley. No one’s going to find you. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is about getting your template pages to rank high in search results, so people looking for “eCommerce website templates” or “personal blog templates” can find yours.

How to use SEO for selling templates:

• Keyword Research: Use tools like Ubersuggest or Ahrefs to find what people are searching for in your niche. Focus on keywords like “best website templates for [insert niche].”
• On-Page SEO: Make sure your product pages have keyword-rich titles, descriptions, and meta tags. Don't forget the image alt text, too.
• Blogging: Write blog posts that target long-tail keywords. For example, “How to choose the best eCommerce template” or “Why a personal portfolio template can boost your career.”

2. Social Media: Build Your Brand

Everyone’s on social media these days, so why not use it to your advantage? Show off your designs, create mockups of your templates in action, and engage with potential customers. Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and even LinkedIn can help you reach a broader audience.

Pro tip: Use hashtags to get discovered, but also interact with people in your niche. Don’t just post and ghost—comment, like, and be part of the conversation.

3. Email Marketing: Stay in Touch

When someone buys a template from you, that shouldn’t be the end of the relationship. Collect email addresses (with their permission) and stay in touch through a newsletter. You can promote new template releases, offer discounts, or just share tips on web design.

SEO Considerations for Template Sales

If there’s one thing to learn from selling website templates, it’s that SEO isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a must-have. Without solid SEO practices, even the most stunning designs can collect dust. You’re up against a global marketplace, and the key to breaking through is making sure the right people can find you.

Keywords to Target

Here are a few SEO keywords you should keep in mind when listing your templates for sale:

• “sell web templates online”
• “best website templates for [industry]”
• “affordable eCommerce templates”
• “creative portfolio templates for designers”

Content Marketing and SEO

If you really want to dominate the template market, content marketing is the way to go. Here’s a quick formula: Use your website’s blog to write helpful guides or resources related to web design and templates. By doing this, you’re attracting visitors who aren’t just looking for a template but also for advice. And who better to sell them a template than the expert who helped them?

Pricing Your Website Templates

One of the hardest parts of selling templates is figuring out how much to charge. Price too low, and you’re not making enough for your work. Price too high, and customers might pass you by. Here’s a simple pricing strategy:

• Start with market research: Look at similar templates on the platforms you’re targeting. What’s the average price? For personal blogs, it might be as low as $20, while corporate templates could sell for $70 or more.
• Factor in your time: How much time did you put into the design? Don’t undersell yourself. Remember, it’s not just about time spent—it’s about the value you're delivering.
• Offer discounts and bundles: If you’re just starting out, you might want to offer launch discounts to get reviews and build your reputation. You could also bundle templates and sell them at a reduced rate, encouraging people to buy more from you at once.

Conclusion

Selling website templates can be a fun and lucrative venture, whether you’re just dabbling in web design or looking to build a full-fledged business. With the right templates, smart marketing strategies, and a focus on SEO, you can build a business that grows even when you’re not actively working. So get designing, start selling, and enjoy the sweet sound of those template sales rolling in!

That’s the basics, but remember, it’s all about learning as you go. Don’t worry if your first template doesn’t sell like hotcakes—just keep refining your skills, your designs, and your strategies.