This document discusses the advantages and disadvantages of creating custom Joomla templates versus using off-the-shelf templates. It notes that off-the-shelf templates often include unnecessary features and code that need to be disabled. Creating a custom template allows for a unique design with only necessary code, frameworks, and features. However, custom templates require design and coding skills. The document outlines the bare minimum files needed for a basic custom template, including templateDetails.xml, index.php, and optional files like CSS, images, and error/offline pages. It is presented to a Joomla user group to educate on template development.

1. Creating your own Joomla
templates
Joomla User Group Sydney April 2019
Presented by Tim Plummer

2. Problem with off the shelf templates
• Bloat
• many template clubs try to make their templates as flexible as possible, and
as a result include a lot of stuff you are never going to use.
• Loading large javascript frameworks such as Bootstrap or foundation, which
make it easier on developer but include a lot of stuff you will never use.
• Time spent turning things off / disabling
• Often need to load sample data to get template looking like demo, then you
send a lot of time turning things off / disabling the stuff your site doesn’t
need.
• Design is not unique, other sites may look very similar

3. Why create your own template?
• Unique fully custom design
• Light weight
• Complete control over everything
• Use whatever javascript framework you like (or none at all)

4. Disadvantages of custom template
• Not great for people with no design skills
• Some coding required

8. Bare minimum
• templateDetails.xml – defines all the files used by this template, sets parameter etc.
• index.php – main file for your template

9. Other files you should have
• At least one CSS file – make your template look pretty & make it mobile responsive
• favicon.ico – image at top of browser window
• template_preview.png – back end preview image of template
• template_thumbnail.png – back end thumbnail of template
• offline.php – page that shows when site is set to offline
• error.php – error page
• component.php – cut down template that loads when you use &tmpl=component in url

10. templateDetails.xml

11. index.php

12. index.php

13. Questions