Can Templates and Live Copies be combined?

[CaesarWo]

Hi again, I'm back with another newbie question off the back of my previous one!

Is there any advice or recommendation when it comes to combining Templates and Live Copies? i.e. can I create a page from a Template, and then create Live Copies of it?

Say I'm building a catalogue site. I create a "master" PDP using the Template, then I build the actual product pages out from this master using Live Copy, changing only the product. You're probably asking "why not just create straight from the template"? I don't have a good answer for you. This is just a circumstance that I currently find myself in, and I'd like to understand whether this was a good design decision or not.

[aanchal-sikka · Accepted solution]

@CaesarWo 

Okay, let's break down these AEM concepts in a way that's easy to understand. Imagine you're building a website for a cool new ice cream shop.
1. Templates: Defines Structure of a set of pages

What they are: Think of templates as the blueprint for your website. They're like pre-designed layouts that define the structure of your pages. You can use them to create different types of pages like your homepage, product pages, about us pages, and so on.
Example: You could have a "Product Page Template" that includes sections for the ice cream flavor name, description, price, and a picture. You could also have a "Blog Post Template" for writing news about your shop.

2. Create a Page From a Template: 

What it does: When you create a new page, you're essentially the master content for a specific page on your site.
Example: To create a page for your new "Mint Chocolate Chip" ice cream, you would use the "Product Page Template." This would give you the pre-defined sections to fill in the flavor name, description, price, and a picture.

3. Language Copies: Catering to Different Audiences

What they are: Language copies are basically copies of the master copy translated into other languages. This is great for expanding your website to reach customers who speak different languages.
Example: You want to reach customers in France, so you create a French language copy of your "Mint Chocolate Chip" page, translating the description, ingredients, and other important information.

4. Live Copy: The Final Version for the World to See

What it is: Live copy is the version of your content that your website visitors actually see. It's like the finished, displayed ice cream recipe for your customers to enjoy.
Example: The live copy for your "Mint Chocolate Chip" page is the version that appears on your website. It might be a slightly edited version of the language copy for better reach/connect with audience of a specific country+language .

Putting it all Together
So, think of it this way: Templates are like your website's building blocks. You create pages using these templates, filling them in with content from your master copy. Then, you translate the master copy into other languages to create language copies. Finally, you have your live copy ready for your website visitors.

[CaesarWo]

Thanks, but my problem is that most of the "model" explanations include language copies, but I have no such requirement as the site I'm working on is presented only in English. In this case, can I skip the Language Copy step and create the Live Copy straight from the Page that was created from the template? What would be the advantages of doing so (if any)?

[aanchal-sikka]

@CaesarWo 

Yes, we can create Live Copies from the English page. Language copies are only necessary when you need translation