Templates can save you time as you build a SEO strategy.
But, templates must meet Web standards for accessiblilty and coding if your site is to be "future proof."
In addition, your site needs to meet XHTML coding standards, and, if you want to maintain the site with a minimum of work and stress...the site must use Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).
For a thourogh description of XHTML/ CSS and other Web standards, visit SiteBuilder Suite. SiteBuilder Suite contains tutorials on how to build these SEO templates using XHTML and CSS.