To simplify placing templates, if the effect has a range of self, the template's point of origin should automatically be placed over the selected token and, if possible, allow for rotation around the token's perimeter in the case of cones, cubes or lines. This would help a lot for keeping the point of origin outside of the area of effect.
If that's not possible, MVP would be auto-placing radius effect templates with a range of self.
Stretch goal might be to restrict the placing of any template to within the defined range :)