Let me clarify: I am building a relatively simple brochure site that has multiple sections that I would like to use the same 'template'. For example: http://example.com/section1 & http://example.com/section2. I would also like these two sections to use the same 'view' template for their individual entry pages, for example on http://example.com/section1/item1 or http://example.com/section2/item2/.
Is this possible? I am very new to EE & have been reading about lots of ways to change url structure etc but nothing quite like what I'm asking. I am also aware that my solution could be achieved by creating two template groups with identical index templates with them but that seems rather silly.
P.S. I know my channel settings might be relevant so please let me know what they should be in order to answer this.
Many thanks
Zander
Yes, this is possible, and you've got a few options.
The first is to use Structure. Structure allows you to use the same page templates across multiple pages (ie http://example.com/section1 and http://example.com/section2). This is probably your best bet.
The second option is to use the Pages Module that comes with ExpressionEngine.
The third option is to make your index template a simple 'router'. It would go something like this:
{if segment_2 == 'item1'}
{embed="template_group/template_name" entry_id="4"}
{if:elseif segment_2 == 'item2'}
{embed="template_group/template_name" entry_id="3"}
{if:elseif segment_1 == 'section2'}
{embed="template_group/template_name" entry_id="2"}
{if:elseif segment_1 == 'section1'}
{embed="template_group/template_name" entry_id="1"}
{/if}
This will look at the URL segments and then embed the same template for each, and pass it the entry ID which you can use in your {exp:channel:entries} tag to display the content from the appropriate entry.