How to import a full starter site
Starter sites are professionally designed templates that come pre-loaded with layouts, images, and fonts. Instead of building every page from scratch, you can import a complete site structure and then swap in your own products and information.
How to import your starter site
Before you begin, note that importing a starter site works best on a fresh installation. If you already have content on your site, the import might mix with your existing pages.
- Open the library: Log in to your WooShop dashboard and go to Appearance > Starter Templates.
- Browse designs: You will see a library of different layouts. You can filter these by category, such as "Ecommerce" or "Business," to find one that fits your industry.
- Select a template: Click on a design to see a full preview. This allows you to see how the homepage, shop page, and contact pages look before committing.
- Customize the basics: On the left sidebar, you can pick a different color palette or font pair. These changes update the preview in real-time. Don’t worry too much about perfection here; you can change these later in the Customizer.
- Start the import: Click the Import Full Site button.
- Finalize: A popup will ask if you want to import specific settings. Keep all boxes checked to ensure the site looks exactly like the demo. Click Submit and View Site.
The process usually takes between 30 seconds and two minutes. Once finished, you will see a "Success" message and can view your new homepage.
Practical scenarios
- For a boutique owner: If you are launching a clothing brand, choose a template with a large "Hero" section on the homepage to showcase your latest collection.
- For a local cafe: Look for a template that includes a pre-built "Menu" or "Location" page to save time on basic setup.
- For a service provider: If you sell digital consultations through WooCommerce, pick a clean, text-focused design that highlights your expertise.
Troubleshooting common issues
The import is stuck at 99%
This usually happens due to a temporary connection hiccup. Give it another minute. If it doesn’t move, refresh the page and try the import again. It will typically pick up where it left off.
My images look different than the demo
Some starter sites use placeholder images if the original photos are copyrighted. You can easily replace these by going to Pages, selecting your page, and clicking on the image to upload your own.
I imported the wrong template
If you want to start over, it is best to use a "Reset" plugin to clear your database or manually delete the imported pages before trying a new import. This prevents your media library and menus from becoming cluttered.
Next steps
Now that your layout is ready, you can begin adding your own touch.
- How to add your first product
- Setting up your shipping zones
- Customizing your header and logo
