Here is a simple tutorial, which goes through the basics of totally changing the front page of your site.
In a nutshell, I took the standard Coffee Dates, Color Scheme 1 template, and dismantled it, then reassembled it with the options to put in a search block, new member block etc, anywhere you wish.
Step 1:
Go to your site management interface, click on "My Sites" and select the site you wish to change.
Click on "Manage".
I like a clean white look to my sites, so I selected the Coffee Cup Template 1.
Step 2:
Click on "Site Settings", and Check the Custom HTML option, then click save at the bottom.
Step 3:
Open up the template I've posted below in the html editor of your choice, dreamweaver, frontpage or whichever, change the Meta tags, page layout, wording, image, titles etc, everything is customisable! You will have to upload the images you wish in the file management area, and reference them in the html on this template you've created.
I've attached a sample logo.jpg - you can use any relevant to your site of course. If you need images, it's best to either contact WDP, or buy them yourself at places like Shutterstock.
Step 4:
Click on "Front Page Layout", and replace the contents with your new template into there. Save, and you should be good to go
If it all goes horribly wrong, change the site back to the original standard template you had and start again. It's trial and error getting it spot on.
You can use any of the standard templates and adapt them in this way, you just have to be careful with what the CSS does to the look. I found the white one the easiest to get right.
Any questions, let me know.
Best of luck
Template
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<head>
<title>California local singles, matchmaking, dating advice and personals.</title>
<meta name="keywords" content="california,dating,marriage,photo personals,single women,advice,search,seeking,friend,internet dating,single women,californian" />
<meta name="description" content="Find local singles in California for matchmaking, dating, personals, free chat and dating advice." />
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" />
<script src="/scripts/prototype.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="/scripts/script.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="/scripts/layer.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<style type="text/css">
@media screen {
/* 02 */
body {padding:0; margin:0; background-color:#ffffff;}
td {font-family:Arial; font-size:10pt; color:#7C8594;}
h1 {}
h2 {color:#FF8D4E; text-transform:uppercase; font-size:9pt; margin:15px;}
h4 {color:#FF8D4E; text-transform:uppercase; font-size:9pt; background:url(/images/skin/Index/h4.gif) bottom repeat-x; margin-left:30px; margin-bottom:10px; text-align:left; padding-bottom:4px;}
h3 {color:#7C8594; font-size:9pt; margin:15px;}
h3 .big {font-size:11pt;}
a:link {color:#E1772B; text-decoration:none;}
a:visited {color:#E1772B; text-decoration:none;}
a:hover {color:#E1772B; text-decoration:underline;}
a:active {color:#E1772B; text-decoration:underline;}
.more {clear:both; text-align:right;}
.more a:link,
.more a:visited,
.more a:hover,
.more a:active {font-size:8pt;}
table.main {/*border:1px solid #CCCECF;*/ background-color:#FEFFFA;}
.i04 {background:url(/images/skin/Index/i-04.gif) top left no-repeat; width:489px}
.greeting {padding:25px;}
.logo {margin:5px 10px; text-align:center;}
.logo img { border:0px;}
.slogan {
font-size:11pt;
font-weight:bold;
background-color:#F3F4F0;
padding:5px;
margin:10px 0 10px 10px;
text-align:center;
position:absolute;
top:-2px;
width:460px;
overflow:hidden;
left: 0px;
}
.slogan span {color:#E38845; text-transform:uppercase;}
.MembersLogin {clear:both; white-space:nowrap;}
.MembersLogin h4 {color:#7C8594;}
.MembersLogin h4 a:link {color:#ffffff;}
.MembersLogin h4 a:visited {color:#ffffff;}
.MembersLogin h4 a:active {color:#ffffff;}
.MembersLogin h4 a:hover {color:#ffffff;}
.MembersLogin h4 span {color:#ffffff; background-color:#F09E63; padding:5px;}
select, input {font-size:9pt;}
option {color:#C76B08; background-color:#FFF8EE;}
.find {width:205px; text-align:center;}
.find div.iam {height:30px; width:180px; text-align:right;}
.find div.iam select {width:80px;}
.find div.age {height:30px; width:180px; text-align:right;}
.find div.age select {width:80px;}
.find div.seeking {height:30px; width:180px; text-align:right;}
.find div.seeking select{width:80px;}
.find div.coose {height:30px; width:180px; text-align:right;}
.find div.submit {text-align:center; height:30px; width:180px;}
.find div.submit .submit{color:#587FAD; border:1px solid #9CB8BC; background:url(/images/skin/Index/input-submit.gif) top repeat-x; font-weight:bold; padding-left:5px; padding-right:5px; height:18px;}
.feauters {width:205px;}
.feauters div {float:left; width:100px; height:45px; text-align:left;}
.feauters div img {float:left; margin-right:3px;}
.feauters div a:link {color:#DE8300; font-weight:bold;}
.feauters div a:visited {color:#DE8300; font-weight:bold;}
.feauters div a:hover {color:#DE8300; font-weight:bold;}
.feauters div a:active {color:#DE8300; font-weight:bold;}
div.menu {margin:20px 0;}
div.menu div {padding:5px; background:url(/images/skin/Index/menu.gif) left center no-repeat; color:#ffffff; font-size:9pt; padding-left:38px; width:140px;}
div.menu div a:link {color:#ffffff; padding:2px; display:block;}
div.menu div a:visited {color:#ffffff; padding:2px; display:block;}
div.menu div a:hover {color:#ffffff; padding:2px; display:block;}
div.menu div a:active {color:#ffffff; padding:2px; display:block;}
div.menu div.act {background:url(/images/skin/Index/menuact.gif) left center no-repeat;}
div.menu div.act a:link {color:#ffffff; background-color:#E37A2E;}
div.menu div.act a:visited {color:#ffffff; background-color:#E37A2E;}
div.menu div.act a:hover {color:#ffffff; background-color:#E37A2E;}
div.menu div.act a:active {color:#ffffff; background-color:#E37A2E;}
.new{ padding-left:30px; padding-right:10px; margin-top:0; padding-top:0;}
.new p {text-align:justify;}
.dot h4 {background:url(/images/skin/Index/h4-dot.gif) bottom right no-repeat; margin-top:0; padding-top:0; border:0; position:relative; left:10px}
.members {margin-left:25px;}
.members td {padding:5px 0;}
.members th {color:#FF8D4E; text-transform:uppercase; font-size:9pt; text-align:left;}
.membFoto01,
.membFoto03,
.membFoto05
{background-color:#EEEFEB; text-align:center; font-size:8pt; float:left; padding:10px; white-space:nowrap; clear:right;}
.membFoto02,
.membFoto04,
.membFoto06
{text-align:center; font-size:8pt; float:left; padding:10px; white-space:nowrap; clear:right;}
.membFoto01 img,
.membFoto02 img,
.membFoto03 img,
.membFoto04 img,
.membFoto05 img,
.membFoto06 img {border:1px solid #979796; width:47px; height:59px;}
.meet50 {margin:0; padding:0}
.meet50 td {padding:5px 0;}
.meet50 th {color:#FF8D4E; text-transform:uppercase; font-size:9pt; text-align:left;}
.meet50 th a,.ul01 li a,.ul02 li a{text-decoration:none}
.ul01 {margin:0 20px 0 0; padding:0 10px 0 0; float:left;}
.ul02 {margin:0; padding:0 10px 0 0; float:left; clear:right}
.ul01 li,
.ul02 li {margin:0; padding:0; list-style-type:none; font-size:9pt; white-space:nowrap;}
.partnersBanner {border:1px solid #F4C98F; text-align:center; padding:20px; margin:15px;}
.searchMath {background-color:#FEEFDE; margin:15px;}
.searchMath td {padding:10px;}
.searchMath td a:hover{ text-decoration:none}
.cLeft {float:left; width:30%;}
.cRight {float:right; width:65%; border-top:1px solid #E7E9E4; border-left:1px solid #E7E9E4; padding:10px; text-align:center;}
.copyright {color:#7C8594; font-size:8pt;}
.copyright td {padding:12px; color:#7C8594; font-size:8pt;}
.copyright a:link {color:#7C8594;}
.copyright a:visited {color:#7C8594;}
.copyright a:hover {color:#7C8594;}
.copyright a:active {color:#7C8594;}
.sign {text-align:right; color:#CC925F;}
.sign a:link {color:#CC925F;}
.sign a:visited {color:#CC925F;}
.sign a:hover {color:#CC925F;}
.sign a:active {color:#CC925F;}
.bottomMenu {color:#7C8594; font-size:8pt; margin:0 0 10px 0;}
.bottomMenu a:link {color:#7C8594;}
.bottomMenu a:visited {color:#7C8594;}
.bottomMenu a:hover {color:#7C8594;}
.bottomMenu a:active {color:#7C8594;}
.bottomSites {color:#7C8594; font-size:8pt; margin:0 0 10px 0;}
.bottomSites a:link {color:#7C8594;}
.bottomSites a:visited {color:#7C8594;}
.bottomSites a:hover {color:#7C8594;}
.bottomSites a:active {color:#7C8594;}
.feauters{margin-bottom:20px; width:250px}
.feauters td { text-align:right}
.submit{color:#587FAD; border:1px solid #9CB8BC; cursor:pointer; background:url(/images/skin/Index/input-submit.gif) top repeat-x; font-weight:bold; padding-left:5px; padding-right:5px; height:18px;}
div#logoSlogan{ margin:20px 0}
img#logo {float:left; margin-left:30px;}
h1#heading {color:#BE0808; font-size:16px; margin:0; padding:0; height:65px; line-height:65px; width:300px;}
.textBannerBlock a{ text-decoration:none; color:#7C8594; padding-top:10px; display:block}
.textBannerBlock a:hover{ text-decoration:none;}
div#video {display:block; float:none; color:#FFE001; background-color:#D40A20; width:245px; height:34px; margin:20px 0 10px 0; border:1px solid #FFE001; padding:0; overflow:hidden}
div#video a {color:#FFE001; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold; font-size:11px; padding:0; margin:0}
div#video img { border:none; margin:0; margin-left:-3px; padding:0; padding-right:5px;}
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<table class="main" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="800" align="left">
<tr valign="top">
<td width="489"><div>
<div class="slogan"> California local singles dating and personals </div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table width="820" height="496" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10">
<tr>
<td height="66" align="center" valign="top"> </td>
<td align="center" valign="top"><font color="#FF9966" size="4">Welcome
to the best singles site on the web to find local dates in California!</font><br />
<br />
We offer an unrivalled number of matchmaking tools, which almost guarantee
you're likely to find someone who matches your specific desirable
character traits. Read some testimonials of members who have found
love through our network <a href="/static/stories/feedback.do">here</a>.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="266" height="400" align="center" valign="top"> <div align="center"><img src="/additional/images/logo.jpg" width="266" height="400" /></div></td>
<td width="800" align="center" valign="top"><table width="708" height="213" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1">
<tr>
<td width="397" height="27" align="center" valign="top"> <div align="center"><font color="#FF9966"><strong>OUR
SPECIAL FEATURES</strong>:</font></div></td>
<td width="400" rowspan="2" align="center" valign="top"><div align="center">
<table width="256" border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="meet50">
<tr>
<td><font color="#FF9966"><strong>WAYS TO FIND YOUR IDEAL
PARTNER</strong>:</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="336"> <ul class="ul01">
<li><b>SuperMatch</b> - Character matching</li>
<li><b>SoulMatch</b> - Find your soulmate</li>
<li><b>SelectMatch</b> - Interest matching</li>
<li><b>SensualMatch</b> - Sexual compatibility</li>
<li><b>StarSignMatch</b> - Zodiac matching</li>
<li><b>Free E-mail</b> - contact others for free</li>
<li><b>Browse free</b> - Member galleries</li>
<li><b>Video communication</b> - Webcam chat</li>
<li><b>Voice direct</b> - With new technology</li>
<li><b>Phone 2 phone</b> - Anonymous!</li>
</ul></td>
</tr>
</table>
</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="183" align="center" valign="top"><div align="center" class="feauters">
<div align="center" class="list"><img border="0" align="left" src="/images/skin/Index/feauters/01.gif" />MailBox</div>
<div align="center" class="list"><img border="0" align="left" src="/images/skin/Index/feauters/02.gif" />Chat</div>
<div align="center" class="list"><img border="0" align="left" src="/images/skin/Index/feauters/03.gif" />Voice</div>
<div align="center" class="list"><img border="0" align="left" src="/images/skin/Index/feauters/04.gif" />Photos</div>
<div align="center" class="list"><img border="0" align="left" src="/images/skin/Index/feauters/05.gif" />Phone</div>
<div align="center" class="list"><img border="0" align="left" src="/images/skin/Index/feauters/06.gif" />Video</div>
<div align="center" class="list"><img border="0" align="left" src="/images/skin/Index/feauters/07.gif" />Gallery</div>
<div align="center" class="list"><img border="0" align="left" src="/images/skin/Index/feauters/08.gif" />Toolbar</div>
</div></td>
</tr>
</table>
<a href="/registration/step1.do"><font size="5">JOIN FREE NOW!</font></a><br />
<table width="674" height="17" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tr>
<td width="257" height="15" align="center" valign="top"> <div align="center">{%quickSearchBlock%}</div></td>
<td width="543" align="center" valign="top">{%newMembersBlock%}</td>
</tr>
</table>
<br>
These are just a small sample of the members in our network. Globally
we have over 20 million members, which is larger than any other dating
site. It is free to join, and takes just a couple of minutes to fill
out the basic details. You can always come back later and fill out
a more comprehensive profile. We give you lots of dating advice as
well, including how to draw the most attention to yourself on singles
sites.<br /> <br /> <br /> <table width="436" height="35" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10">
<tr>
<td height="15" align="center" valign="top"> <div align="center"><font size="2"><a href="/registration/step1.do">Join
Now!</a> - <a href="/login.do">Member Login</a> - </font>
<font size="2"><a href="/static/dating_tips/dating_tips_index.do">Free
Dating Tips</a></font><font size="2"> - <a href="/links.htm">Links</a>
- <a href="http://worlddatingpartners.com?refid=partner-14618">Webmasters</a></font></div></td>
</tr>
</table></td>
</tr>
</table>
<div align="center"></div>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<div align="left"></div>
</body>
</html>
