Template URL Integration

How It Works

The URL integration requires no development. Your end-users work directly on the DS Templates platform and use the generated content URL in your CMS.

Step 1 — Log In

Users log in to the DS Templates platform with their account credentials.

https://content.ds-templates.com/

DS Templates login page

Each user receives their own account with access to the full template library. Accounts can be provisioned by DS Templates or by the CMS partner depending on the arrangement.

Step 2 — Choose a Template

After logging in, users browse the template library and select a template to work with.

Template library with categories and live previews

• Templates are organised by category (e.g., Information, Promotion, Social Media, Meeting Room)
• Custom templates — we offer bespoke templates built to your brand guidelines or custom integrations. When available, custom templates always appear at the top of the library
• Approximately 70% of templates support all aspect ratios (16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 1:1), and we are continuously expanding this coverage
• Hover to preview — hovering over a template shows a live preview of the design
• Save as favourite — click the heart icon to mark a template as favourite; favourites appear at the top of the library
• Click the + button on a template to open it directly in the editor
• Filter by category, aspect ratio, or use the search function to find the right template

Step 3 — Edit & Save

The visual editor allows users to customise every element of the template. The editor is split into two panels: input fields on the left, live preview on the right.

Template editor — input fields (left) and live preview (right)

• Input fields — all customisable elements are listed on the left side. Expand each section to adjust text, images, colours, and settings
• Live preview — the right panel shows exactly how the template will look, updated in real-time as you make changes
• Configure dynamic content sources such as RSS feeds, weather data, social media feeds, and more
• Pixabay integration — browse and insert free stock photos directly from the editor
• DS Templates AI — generate images, write text, or optimise existing copy using built-in AI tools
• Set the template duration and language
• Saved templates appear in "My Templates" for future editing

Step 4 — Use the URL

After saving, your template appears in the "My Templates" overview. Each template has a unique content URL that you can copy and paste into your CMS.

My Templates — overview of all saved templates with copy URL option

Click the copy icon next to a template to copy its URL to your clipboard, then paste it into your CMS.

https://content.ds-templates.com/template/{template_id}

This URL renders the template directly and can be used in any CMS that supports URL-based content (iframe, web URL input, or direct link).

Modules

Modules are deep integrations within the DS Templates platform. While standard integrations connect directly to external data, modules offer advanced automation — minimising manual work by managing data centrally so templates update automatically.

For example, with the Birthdays module you only need to maintain a list of employees. The system automatically displays birthday greetings on the right day — no daily scheduling required.

Available modules

For a full overview of all integrations and modules, see the Integrations & Modules page.

How to identify module templates

• In the template library: filter by the "Module templates" category to see all templates that require a module connection
• In the editor: scroll to the bottom of the left panel to see which module the template is linked to, with a direct link to manage the module data

URL Format

Reference for the URL types available.

Embedding Options

The template URL can be used in various ways depending on your CMS capabilities.

Option 1: Direct URL

Most digital signage CMS platforms accept a web URL as a content source. Simply paste the template URL into the URL/web content field in your CMS.

Option 2: Iframe embed

If your CMS supports HTML content, embed the template using an iframe:

<iframe
    src="https://content.ds-templates.com/template/{template_id}"
    style="width:1920px;height:1080px;border:none"
    frameborder="0"
    scrolling="no"
></iframe>

White-label

All DS Templates URLs can be served from your own domain. Your end-users will never see the DS Templates brand.

White-label is configured by pointing a CNAME record to our servers. We handle SSL certificates automatically. Contact us to set up your custom domain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens when a user edits a saved template?

The content at the existing URL is updated automatically. There is no need to generate a new URL or update anything in your CMS.

Can multiple users share the same account?

Each user should have their own account to maintain separate "My Templates" libraries. Contact us to set up multi-user accounts for your organisation.

What aspect ratios are supported?

Templates are available in 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, and 1:1. The aspect ratio is set per template.

Is an internet connection required for playback?

Yes, the template URL must be accessible at playback time. The content is rendered live in the browser. For offline scenarios, discuss caching options with our team.

Can I use the API integration and URL integration together?

Yes. Some partners use the API integration for their main platform and offer the URL method as a simpler alternative for smaller customers. See the API Integration Guide for details.