Kerdora gives you two ways to build a Guide for a client: start from a template you've already set up, or build a custom Guide from scratch. Both produce the same kind of deliverable — the difference is where you start.
Here's how to decide which approach fits the situation.
What's the Difference?
A template is a pre-built Guide structure you create once and reuse across clients. When you apply a template, it populates the Guide with your chosen pages, layout, and embedded components — then you customize the details for that specific client.
A custom Guide starts blank. You add pages, choose what to embed, and build the entire structure yourself from the ground up.
In both cases, the final Guide is fully editable. A template just gives you a head start.
When to Use a Template
Templates are the right choice most of the time. Use one when:
You have a repeatable workflow — If your annual review, onboarding meeting, or planning deliverable follows the same general structure for most clients, a template saves you from rebuilding it every time.
You want consistency across clients — Templates make sure every client gets the same core pages and components, so nothing gets missed.
You're preparing for a standard meeting — If you do quarterly check-ins or annual reviews with a consistent agenda, a template lets you spin up the Guide in seconds and jump straight into customizing the numbers.
You're onboarding multiple clients — When you're adding several clients in a short window, templates keep things efficient. You're not rethinking the structure each time.
Most advisors build 2–3 templates that cover their main meeting types (e.g., "Annual Review," "New Client Onboarding," "Mid-Year Check-In") and use those for the majority of their clients.
When to Build a Custom Guide
Go custom when the situation doesn't fit your usual structure:
A client has a unique situation — Maybe they're going through a business sale, a divorce, or an inheritance. The standard template doesn't cover what they need to see.
You're creating a one-off deliverable — If you need to put together something specific for a single conversation that you won't repeat, it's faster to just build it than to create a template you'll never reuse.
You're experimenting with a new format — Trying out a different Guide layout or testing what works before committing to a template? Start custom, then save it as a template once you've dialed it in.
A Practical Rule of Thumb
If you'll use the same structure more than twice, make it a template. If it's a one-time thing, build it custom.
Most advisors find that templates handle 80–90% of their Guides. The custom option is there for the exceptions — and when you stumble onto a custom format you like, you can always save it as a new template for next time.
How to Get Started
To use a template: Go to a client's Overview page and select a template from the template options when creating a new Guide.
To build custom: Go to a client's Overview page and start with a blank Guide, adding pages and components as you go.
To create a template: Build a Guide the way you want it, then save the structure as a reusable template from the Overview editor.
For a detailed walkthrough of building and managing templates, see the Managing and Reusing Guide Templates article. For step-by-step instructions on building a Guide from scratch, see Creating a Guide from Scratch.