Temporarily Disable An Affiliate Store

There may be times when you need to temporarily disable access to an affiliate store, whether it's for maintenance, campaign timing, or restricting customer access. DecoNetwork provides multiple ways to control store accessibility, depending on how restrictive or reversible you want the action to be.

Prerequisites

Why disable an affiliate store?

Disabling an affiliate store allows you to control when customers can access and place orders. This is particularly useful for managing campaigns, limiting access to private stores, or temporarily taking a store offline without deleting it permanently.

• Control access: Restrict who can view or order from the store
• Pause sales: Temporarily stop orders without removing the store
• Manage campaigns: Close stores after deadlines or events
• Maintain flexibility: Easily re-enable access when needed

Method 1: Enable password protection

This is the fastest way to restrict access to a store. Customers must log in or enter a password before viewing the site.

1. Log into your DecoNetwork website.
2. Go to Admin → Websites

3. Click Manage next to the target store.

   

   Select the store you want to manage

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4. Go to Store Configuration → Customer Options
5. Select Override Default Settings

6. Enable:

   • Customers must be logged in to view the website

   • Customers can log in using a generic password

     This option allows you to define a generic password needed in order to access the selected store. This option is great for offering previews of the site to specific people without setting up accounts for each individual previewing the site.

   

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7. Enter a password if required
8. Save the changes.

Method 2: Redirect the store URL

Redirecting the store prevents access entirely by sending visitors to another website (such as your main store).

1. Log into your DecoNetwork website.
2. Go to Admin → Websites

3. Click Manage for the target store.

   

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4. Select Administration → Site Redirect.

5. Enter the destination URL in the Redirect to field.

   

   Enter the destination URL for redirection

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6. Save the changes.

Method 3: Delete and restore the store

This is the most complete option. The store is removed but can be restored later if needed.

To delete an affiliate:

1. Log into your DecoNetwork website.
2. Go to Admin → Websites

3. Click Manage for the store

   

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4. Select Administration → Delete Site.

   

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5. Enter a reason for deletion in the Delete reason field.
6. Click the Delete button.

Restore a deleted store

1. Log into your DecoNetwork website.
2. Go to Admin → Websites → Advanced Search.

3. Enable Include Deleted.

   Click Search.

   

   Restore a previously deleted affiliate store

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   You will then see the list of all of your affiliate stores including those that you have deleted.

4. Click Restore next to the deleted store.

Video Tutorial

You can watch an instructional video of the above tutorials here.

Best practices

• Use password protection for temporary or controlled access
• Use redirects when you want to fully block access
• Use deletion only for long-term or inactive stores
• Communicate changes to affiliates or customers before disabling access

Troubleshooting

• Customers can still access the store: Ensure caching is cleared or use redirect instead of password protection
• Password not working: Confirm "Override Default Settings" is enabled
• Store not visible after deletion: Use Advanced Search with "Include Deleted" enabled

FAQs

Can I temporarily disable a store without deleting it?

Yes, use password protection or URL redirection to disable access without removing the store.

Which method is best?

• Password protection: Best for restricted access
• Redirect: Best for blocking access completely
• Delete: Best for long-term removal

Can I bring a deleted store back?

Yes, deleted stores can be restored using the Advanced Search feature.

Additional resources

• Close Store Options
• How to Set the Close Store Date and Add a Countdown Clock