---
title: Content Management templates
description: Templates are content pages that are reused to provide a consistent look and feel.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/platform-user-interface/content-management-system/c\_ContentManagementTemplates.html
release: australia
product: Content Management System
classification: content-management-system
topic_type: concept
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [Configure Content Management sites, Content Management System, Configure UIs and portals, Configure user experiences]
---

# Content Management templates

Templates are content pages that are reused to provide a consistent look and feel.

Templates are useful when creating CMS sites for the following reasons.

<table id="simpletable_pt2_l4z_3v"><tbody><tr><td>

Create new pages rapidly without risk by copying pages

</td><td>

Using a template to create new pages saves time because you do not have to keep repeating the same steps.

</td></tr><tr><td>

Provide a restore point for pages within the system

</td><td>

Have a working template available if something goes wrong in one of the blocks or in the theme CSS. It is often easier to start over from the template instead of trying to undo complex changes.

</td></tr><tr><td>

Provide a functional reference for editors on the site project

</td><td>

Having the template as a reference ensures that pages continue to conform to the style guide.

</td></tr></tbody>
</table>-   **[Page templates](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/platform-user-interface/content-management-system/r_PageTemplates.md)**  
Every page that is part of the site needs a template.
-   **[Configure a base template](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/platform-user-interface/content-management-system/t_BuildAMasterTemplateStepByStep.md)**  
An easy way to create a base template is to copy the existing ESS sample site and customize it to suit your own needs. You can also configure a base template from scratch.
-   **[Customize a copy of a page template](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/platform-user-interface/content-management-system/t_CopyESS.md)**  
One good source for templates is the base system sample site. It is easy to copy pages and restyle them into new page templates to meet different business requirements.

**Parent Topic:**[Configure Content Management sites](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/platform-user-interface/content-management-system/t_CreateASite.md)

**Related topics**  


[Content sites]()

[Content pages in CMS]()

[Content types]()

[Content blocks]()

[Style in Content Management]()

[Content Management meta tags]()