How to Build an Affiliate Website Template

DecoNetwork makes it easy to launch multiple affiliate, campaign, or ordering-portal websites – but the real efficiency comes from working with a reusable website template. This article walks you through creating a clean, conversion-focused affiliate website template that you can clone again and again, saving time while ensuring consistency.

In This Article

• Why use a website template
• Prerequisites
• Step 1: Create a new site for the template
• Step 2: Simplify pages and navigation
• Step 3: Clean up the header and footer
• Step 4: Create pre-decorated products
• Step 5: Build a one-page product layout
• Step 6: Add a hero banner and call to action
• Step 7: (Optional) Add a countdown for batch orders
• Step 8: Optimize the product details page
• Step 9: Publish and set the site as a template
• Best-practice tips
• Troubleshooting
• FAQs
• Additional Resources

Why use a website template

• Save time: Build once (about 20 minutes) and reuse for every new affiliate or campaign site.
• Stay consistent: Ensure every site follows the same layout, branding structure, and user flow.
• Reduce errors: Avoid forgetting to remove products or pages when cloning client sites.
• Improve conversions: A simplified, mobile-friendly layout makes ordering fast and intuitive.

Prerequisites

Step 1: Create a new site for the template

1. Go to Websites.
2. Click Add Store.
3. Create a new site and give it a clear internal name (for example, DN Template 1).
4. Launch the site.

Step 2: Simplify pages and navigation

Most affiliate sites only need one page.

1. Go to Edit Website → Website Pages.
2. Delete unnecessary homepage content.
3. Hide the homepage from the navigation menu.
4. Turn off pages you don’t need, such as:
   • Blank Products (if you only sell pre-decorated items)
   • About
   • Contact (optional)

Step 3: Clean up the header and footer

1. Open Design → Page Options.
2. Hide elements such as:
   • Breadcrumbs
   • Currency selector
   • Search box
3. Keep only what users need: Login and Cart.
4. In the footer, remove promotional links like “Create your own site.”
5. Keep essential links such as:
   • Terms & Conditions
   • Returns Policy
   • Shipping Information

Step 4: Create pre-decorated products

1. Create a new decorated product.
2. Select a decoration method (for example, DTG).
3. Choose a stock design.
4. Name the product clearly (for example, Hoops – Fan Favorite Tee).
5. Assign it to one or more categories.
6. Disable customer customization if the design should remain fixed.

You can apply the same artwork to multiple blanks (t-shirts, hoodies, youth styles) in one step.

Step 5: Build a one-page product layout

1. Edit the homepage.
2. Add a Decorated Product Listing widget.
3. Set it to display all products on one page.
4. Show categories as tabs (not links).
5. Enable:
   • Product name
   • Price
   • Available colors
6. Increase spacing for easier mobile browsing.

Step 6: Add a hero banner and call to action

1. Add a full-width background image row.
2. Use a generic, high-resolution image (2,000–3,000px wide).
3. Apply a brightness filter so text is readable.
4. Add an H1 heading with a simple message (for example, “Get your Hoops Basketball Gear”).

Step 7: (Optional) Add a countdown for batch orders

If you use batch production:

1. Enable Batch Production under Administration → Production Options.
2. Set a Close Store Date in store configuration.
3. Add a Countdown Clock widget to the homepage.
4. Display messaging such as “Orders ship two weeks after the store closes.”

Step 8: Optimize the product details page

1. Edit the pre-decorated product page.
2. Move the product name to the top.
3. Resize the product image to medium.
4. Use tabs for extra details.
5. Move the description into the details section.

Step 9: Publish and set the site as a template

1. Click Publish to save the version to be cloned.
2. Go to Administration → Clone Store Settings.
3. Enable New stores can be created using this store's settings.
4. Tick Enable new store signup Templates.
5. Tick Force stores to select a template.

When adding a new site, you’ll now be required to choose a template.

Best-practice tips

• Keep affiliate sites to one page whenever possible.
• Design for mobile first – most customers order on phones.
• Use generic imagery in templates so they work for many clients.
• Always publish before cloning.

Troubleshooting

• My template changes didn’t update existing sites: Templates only apply to sites created after the change.
• I can’t select a template when creating a site: Make sure store signup templates are enabled.
• Products aren’t showing: Confirm they are pre-decorated and assigned to categories.

FAQs

How many products are cloned from a template?
Up to 50 pre-decorated products are cloned along with the site layout.

Can I have multiple templates?
Yes. You can create different templates for different use cases (campaigns, pop-ups, corporate stores).

Do I need to rebuild the layout for each new site?
No. You only swap variables such as images, text, close dates, and products.

Additional Resources

• Website Pages WYSIWYG Editor
• Creating and Managing Campaign Stores
• Adding Pre-Decorated Products to Your Website
• How to Configure a Website for Batch Production & Processing Orders
• Customizing Pages, Banners, and Widgets in DecoNetwork