How to Use Element Templates in Our Page Builder for Consistent Designs

Photo by Amper on Unsplash

As our business grows, the small things add up. A button with slightly different padding, a headline that slips off-brand, or a hero image that looks mismatched across pages — these details create friction and dilute our message. We found a simple way to stop recreating the same elements over and over: element templates inside the page builder. They let us save a single element — a call to action button, a testimonial block, an opt-in form — and reuse it instantly across every funnel and website we manage.

Why element templates matter for growing teams

We run lean, and time is our most valuable currency. Element templates help us nail three things that really move the needle:

• Brand consistency: Every page uses the exact same button styles, headline treatments, and padding rules. No more guessing what the correct corner radius or color should be.
• Faster builds: Creating pages becomes a matter of assembling saved pieces instead of designing from scratch. That cuts build time significantly, especially when launching multiple landing pages.
• Simpler updates: For elements saved as synced templates, a single change propagates across all pages. We can correct a typo, update a price, or tweak a color and know it will be consistent everywhere.

Element templates versus universal templates — pick the right option

The page builder offers two useful ways to save elements, and choosing the right one depends on how you expect the element to change.

• Element template — Think of this as a reusable copy. When you insert it on a page, you get a standalone element that you can modify locally without affecting other instances. This is perfect for elements you want to reuse as a starting point but may tweak per campaign or page.
• Universal template — This is a synced instance across the account. If you update a universal template in one place, the change automatically syncs to every page where it appears. Use this for truly global elements such as primary CTAs, legal footers, or brand badges that must remain identical everywhere.

Our rule of thumb: start with element templates for flexibility, then convert an item to a universal template only when we want centralized control.

How we save an element template — step-by-step

We worked out a quick pattern that anyone on the team can follow. The process is simple and repeatable.

1. Open the page builder and navigate to the page where the element exists or where you created it.
2. Click on the element you want to save — for example, a button or an image block.
3. Look for the Save Element option in the element settings panel. Click it.
4. Give the element a clear name that describes its purpose, such as "Primary CTA - Blue Rounded" or "Trust Bar - 3 Logos."
5. Choose whether to save it as an element template or a universal template.
6. Click Save. The template is now stored in the saved assets area and ready to use.

That covers the most direct way. There is also an alternative method if we want to save from the layers panel.

Alternative method: saving via layers

Sometimes we prefer to work from the layers view, especially when dealing with complex sections.

1. Open Layers in the top-left of the page builder.
2. Locate the section, expand the drop-downs until you find the specific element.
3. Click the three-dot menu next to the element and select Save Element.
4. Follow the same naming and template-type steps as above.

This approach is handy when multiple elements share similar names or when we need to confirm the exact element structure before saving.

Where to find and reuse saved elements

Once saved, templates live in the saved assets area inside the builder. To reuse them, we follow this short flow:

• Click the plus button where you want to add the element.
• Open Saved Assets in the left-hand menu.
• Choose Element Templates or Universal Templates depending on how you saved it.
• Drag and drop the saved element into the page or click to insert it.

It is frictionless. We can drop the same button, banner, or section onto any page in the funnel or website without rebuilding styles or layout rules.

Practical scenarios where element templates save time

To make this feature real, here are the ways we use templates in daily work.

Primary call to action

We standardize our main CTA so it looks the same across homepages, product pages, and paid landing pages. When tax, policy, or labeling changes require an update, we update the universal template and the change appears everywhere.

Promotional banners

Campaigns often need a consistent promo banner across multiple funnels. We save the banner as an element template to reuse as a starting point, and tweak copy for A/B testing without affecting the original.

Testimonial and trust sections

Customer quotes and trust badges are prime candidates for templates. We maintain a few layouts — single quote, quote grid, and logo trust bar — so pages always feel polished and aligned with our voice.

Multi-location landing pages

When we launched regional pages, templates ensured each location used consistent contact blocks and legal text. For contact details we want to localize, we place a copied element template on the page and then edit the content locally.

Onboarding new team members

Templates make onboarding easier. Instead of teaching every nuance of the builder, we hand new team members a library of prebuilt elements. They can assemble pages quickly and focus on copy and offers instead of chasing styles.

Best practices we follow

Using element templates is powerful, but we learned a few things that keep the system tidy and predictable.

• Use clear naming conventions. Names like "Header - Compact v1" or "Footer - Legal v2025" remove ambiguity.
• Limit the number of universal templates. Too many synced elements can cause unexpected global changes. Reserve universal templates for truly global items.
• Version intentionally. When making a large update, save a new version rather than overwriting. This provides a fallback if something doesn’t look right after syncing.
• Create a shared assets folder. Keep commonly used templates in an obvious place so anyone on the team can locate them quickly.
• Test before global sync. For universal templates, test changes on a staging page before applying the update account-wide.

Troubleshooting and fallback strategies

Even with a disciplined approach, issues happen. Here are simple ways we handle common problems.

• Missing element in saved assets: Check whether it was saved as an element template or universal template. If you still can’t find it, recreate it and save it with a clearer name.
• Unintended global changes: If a universal update causes problems, revert by replacing instances with a prior saved version or by updating the universal template to the previous settings.
• Permission issues: Make sure team members have access to saved assets. If someone can’t see the library, check their role or shared settings in the page builder.
• Version confusion: Add version numbers to names and a short changelog in your team documentation. That avoids guessing which version is current.

How templates change workflows for small teams

For businesses like ours, eliminating repetitive tasks creates room for strategy and customer work. Templates let us:

• Ship landing pages faster without sacrificing design quality.
• Run more tests because creating page variations becomes less painful.
• Keep external contractors or temporary hires productive faster by giving them a library to work from.
• Standardize brand elements across campaigns without manual checks.

We noticed fewer inconsistencies and fewer last-minute fixes right after adopting a template-forward approach.

Decision guide: when to use element template vs universal

Here’s a simple checklist we use before saving an element:

• If the element will be customized on each page, save as an element template.
• If the element must remain identical across every page and team members should not accidentally diverge, save as a universal template.
• If you think you will need both behaviors, save a universal template for consistent items and a separate element template as a customizable starting point.

Practical example: our CTA workflow

We had a recurring problem: marketing would run a campaign using a slightly different CTA, which led to mixed conversion signals and brand inconsistency. We implemented this workflow:

1. Create a master CTA saved as a universal template for all primary CTAs.
2. Create an editable element template version to test alternative copy or sizes.
3. Require signoff for any universal template update so the team agrees on global changes.

The result: a single source of truth for primary CTAs and a quick path for testing alternatives without breaking brand rules.

Qualitative benefits we tracked internally

We avoided making up precise metrics, but we did notice clear differences in day-to-day operations:

• Less time rebuilding duplicate elements when launching campaigns.
• Reduced design mistakes from inconsistent spacing, colors, and copy.
• Smoother handoffs between marketing and operations because the saved assets served as a common language.

Those small improvements added up to fewer emergencies, fewer brand checks, and faster iterations.

Final checklist before you start creating templates

• Decide a naming convention and stick to it.
• Audit existing elements and identify which should be universal.
• Create a shared library folder for the team.
• Define a simple change process for universal assets (test, review, approve, then sync).
• Train new team members to use saved assets rather than rebuilding from scratch.

FAQ

What is an element template and when should we use one

An element template is a saved copy of a single element that you can reuse across pages. Use it when you want a consistent starting point but expect to customize the element per page or campaign.

What is a universal template and when is it appropriate

A universal template is a synced element that updates everywhere it is used when edited. Use it for truly global components like primary CTAs, global footers, or legal notices that must stay identical across all pages.

How do we find saved templates inside the page builder

Open the builder, click the plus button where you want to add content, then select Saved Assets. Templates are organized by type, so look under Element Templates or Universal Templates depending on how they were saved.

Can we change a template after saving it

Yes. Element templates can be updated locally after insertion without affecting other instances. Editing a universal template will sync changes across every page that uses it, so test carefully before making global updates.

What happens if a universal template update causes issues

If a universal update causes problems, revert by replacing instances with a previous saved version or updating the universal template to match the prior state. A versioned naming convention helps prevent this situation.

How should we organize templates for a small team

Create a shared assets folder, use clear names with versions, and document basic rules for when to use element versus universal templates. Keep the number of universal templates limited to avoid accidental global changes.

Can templates speed up onboarding

Yes. New team members can assemble pages from prebuilt elements instead of learning every style rule. This reduces ramp time and keeps the brand consistent from the start.

Are templates helpful for A/B testing

Templates are useful for testing. Use element templates as the starting point for variations while keeping a master universal template for the control element when needed.

Closing thoughts

Element templates aren’t glamorous, but they are one of the small operational changes that make a big difference as we scale. They save time, reduce mistakes, and keep our brand consistent across funnels and pages. By using element templates thoughtfully — naming clearly, limiting universal templates, and testing before global updates — we keep control over design while empowering the whole team to move faster.

Start by picking a single element you reproduce often, save it as a template, and use it for the next three pages you publish. You will quickly see how much simpler page builds become and how much more consistent the brand looks across every customer touchpoint.