If you are creating dozens or hundreds of sites on a monthly basis, this guide will save you an incredible amount of time. Here are the steps for duplicating sites to new client accounts or to additional websites on existing accounts from the template created in Resellers. Most of these steps can be completed prior to MLS approval.  Note that DEMO data would be present until approval is received.

Step 1: Create an IDX Template Site

We recommend first creating an IDX template site in Resellers which you will use to clone for future sites. This could be in the form of a demo account provided by Showcase IDX used solely for this purpose.  It’s recommended to leave fields that will need to be personalized 100% of the time (such as the customer’s name and logo, for example) blank.

Additionally, within your IDX template, you may also create Hotsheets that are simple, not area specific, and require no changes.  For example, you could create an open house generic hotsheet or a condos & townhomes hotsheet.

You may also want to create a WordPress template site to clone an entire WordPress setup. 

• WordPress features e.g. Themes, layouts, IDX CSS, pages, etc
• IDX widgets e.g. search bar, signup form, contact form, market value form

Pro-tip: Deactivate the plugin on the template site first before cloning the site.

Step 2: Create New Client Account 

• Create an account for the new client in Resellers
• Once the new account is created, the new customer will follow the Onboarding Flow of completing their paperwork and receiving their eventual MLS approval.  As the new client is going through this flow, you can continue to the next step to begin setting up their website.

Step 3: Complete Data Transfer

This step can be completed prior to MLS approval.

• Under the Websites tab, click the “Data Transfer” button in the upper right corner to bulk transfer Settings (think mostly design settings) as well as Searches and Hotsheets from the template site 

The following information will be copied during data transfer:

• All Settings:
  • General Settings
  • Privacy Privacy
  • Email Settings
  • Search Settings
  • Registration Settings
  • SEO Settings
  • Design Settings
  • Display Settings
  • Lead Routing
• All Searches
• All Hotsheets

Step 4: Personalize Client Account

• Required steps that must wait until after MLS approval:
  • Impersonate client and personalize:
    • Settings:
      • General Settings (their site title, logo, phone number) 
      • Email Settings (signatures)
      • SEO Settings (GA Tracking ID)
    • Add Agent ID & Office ID to the Users section
    • Review Saved Searches 
      • Location- i.e. specific neighborhoods and communities
      • Agent/Office Filtering for Featured Listings
      • Custom filters
    • Review Hotsheets to customize display options, if applicable
    • Create additional custom searches and hotsheets on a per-client basis, if applicable

• Optional steps to be completed at any time: 

The following settings were transferred from the original template account but may need to be reviewed or personalized on a per-client basis

• Impersonate client and update:
  • Privacy Settings
  • Default Search Settings/Restrictions
  • Search Page Title
  • Registration Settings
  • Display Settings
  • Lead Routing, etc. 

Step 5:  Connect Plugin to Website via WordPress 

This step can be completed prior to MLS approval.

• While impersonating the agent/user on that new account, follow the Install Instructions 
  • Visit their WP admin
  • Search for and install the plugin
  • Activate the license on that website

Note: Any shortcodes embedded on a template WordPress website will be cloned to the new site as text and will render upon Plugin installation and activation.

Step 6: Configure Custom Shortcodes (if applicable)

• Custom Community Pages

If offering custom-built community pages, you will need to create a custom search, hotsheet, and WordPress page.    

• • Here’s an example of what a community page may look like.  A successful community page will typically include at least a short paragraph about the area/community and may even include highlights about schools, local area entertainment, etc.  
  • Click here for more tips on creating community page template layouts
  • Shortcodes that are using local searches (like a search widget with an applied search) will break as the template ID for the search will change after data transfer and these will need to be edited per account, if using
• Unique Shortcodes
  • Add other shortcodes (widgets) to the website, like a contact form, mortgage calculator, signup form, etc.