If you manage frequent marketing or content campaigns in HubSpot, chances are you’ve faced the frustrating task of rebuilding layouts from the ground up. It is slow, error-prone, and often results in broken branding or design inconsistencies.
Instead of reworking something that already works, you can clone existing templates, saving hours while ensuring each asset aligns with your core design system.
While HubSpot offers a built-in cloning feature, it’s easy to miss the nuances, especially as the process works slightly differently for blog, email, and page templates. A single misstep, like moving a file outside its theme folder, can break asset links and create layout issues that ripple across your content.
This guide walks you through exactly how cloning works inside HubSpot Design Manager.
You’ll learn where each template lives, how to clone it properly, what to watch for, and how to test and measure results, all so you can drive campaigns faster without compromising design consistency.
Creating Editable Copies of HubSpot Templates
Cloning a template in HubSpot means making an editable version of an existing file inside the Design Manager. This new copy keeps the same layout, styling, and modules as the original but lives as a separate file you’re free to change.
You’ll work within HubSpot’s Design Manager, accessed by navigating to Marketing > Files and Templates > Design Tools. This is where all your coded and drag-and-drop templates are stored and managed. Here’s how each type of template functions:
Blog Templates: Control the look of listing pages and individual blog posts
Email Templates: Handle layout for marketing emails across campaigns
Page Templates: Shape landing pages, thank-you pages, and core web content
Cloning any of these lets you start with a proven design and update only what’s needed, like calls to action, imagery, or text, without rebuilding or risking the original layout.
How It Works Under the Hood
When you click Clone in HubSpot Design Manager, HubSpot creates a duplicate of that file, complete with the layout, module structure, and any linked assets, such as CSS styles or JavaScript.
The cloned version gets:
- A unique file name so it doesn’t overwrite the original
- Its own editable content and layout modules
- Optional theme association if the original was part of a named theme
Technical Process:
- HubSpot reads the template’s structure (e.g., .html, .hub, or drag-and-drop config)
- It copies linked file data and references
- A new file appears in the same folder with “copy” in the name
- You can now open, edit, and publish that new file independently
When cloning drag-and-drop templates, your layout, modules, and placeholder content are recreated. For coded templates, you get the same HTML or HubL structure copied over.
Once published, your new template will show up in HubSpot editors so you can assign it to emails, pages, or blogs immediately.
Pro Tip: Keep your clone in the same theme folder to ensure CSS and JavaScript dependencies load properly. Moving it elsewhere can prevent that template from displaying as intended.
Main Uses Inside HubSpot
Standardizing Campaign Layouts
Purpose: If you’re handling multiple inbound campaigns each quarter, you’re likely reusing core structures like forms, hero sections, or testimonial blocks. Cloning lets you start from a single well-designed template and customize only what changes from campaign to campaign.
Example: Your “LeadGen-LandingBase” template already has the right padding, mobile behavior, and lead form style. Cloning it lets you build Q2, Q3, and Q4 pages in minutes, just swap the offer details or banner image.
Creating Variant Email Designs
Purpose: If you have a house-style newsletter and a separate template for product announcements, clone a base email and adjust only promotional blocks, CTA language, or visual elements.
Example: Copy “Newsletter-Base” and rename it “SummerProductTease.” Replace top-line messaging and the hero image. Approvals become faster, and consistency remains intact across sends.
Testing Blog Layout Improvements
Purpose: Test new author bio structures or sidebar link layouts without affecting live traffic.
Example: Clone “Blog-Default” and assign a single post to your experimental layout. Preview how it renders and measure performance. Once successful, deploy it more broadly.
Common Setup Errors and Wrong Assumptions
Mistake: Moving a clone outside its original theme folder
CSS/JS links tied to themes can break when relocated. Keep the clone in the theme folder or reassign asset paths manually.
Mistake: Expecting source templates to update with clone edits
Cloned files are separate. Changes to a clone won’t touch the original. For global updates, adjust shared modules or master templates.
Mistake: Deleting or editing a shared module within the clone
Editing or deleting a shared footer or CTA module may impact other templates. Duplicate the module first if you want customization.
Mistake: Forgetting to publish the cloned file
Until you hit Publish Changes, the cloned template won’t appear in dropdowns when assigning it to content.
Step-by-Step Setup or Use Guide
- Access Design Manager
Go to Marketing > Files and Templates > Design Tools. - Find Your Original Template
Use the file tree or search bar to locate the template you want to clone. - Select “Clone” from the Menu
Right-click or click “More” next to the file, then choose Clone. The copy will be created in the same folder. - Rename the File and Choose a Folder (If Needed)
Give the clone a clear, purpose-driven name, like “Email-ProductLaunch-June.” Review dependencies if moving it elsewhere. - Edit the Cloned Template
Double-click the new file to open it. Adjust layouts, modules, and content areas. Drag-and-drop files allow visual reconfiguration. - Publish Your Changes
Click Publish Changes to make the template selectable inside content editors. - Assign It to Content
Use the new template in a blog, email, or page. For blogs, go to Settings > Website > Blog. For emails or pages, select the file during creation. - Always Preview First
Validate visual styling and responsiveness before going live.
Measuring Results in HubSpot
Once cloned templates are in use, performance data reveals whether they’re working effectively. HubSpot analytics lets you compare old and new versions.
For Blog Templates:
- Use Traffic Analytics or Blog Performance Dashboard
- Track total views, scroll depth, time on page, or CTA clicks
For Email Templates:
- Navigate Marketing > Email > Analyze
- Compare click-through, open, and bounce rates between cloned layouts
For Page Templates:
- View Page Performance metrics or customize a dashboard
- Focus on submission rate, bounce rate, and time on page
Tips for Accurate Tracking:
- Ensure tracking code is active on cloned pages
- Use descriptive names for cloned templates
- Keep older templates until all data is captured
- Document changes in a shared note for version control
Short Example That Ties It Together
Your team prepares a multi-city product tour: New York, Dallas, and San Francisco. You’ve built a high-converting landing page and want customized versions for each city.
Steps:
- Clone your “Event-Base” landing page into:
- “Event-NewYork”
- “Event-Dallas”
- “Event-SF”
- Swap headers, dates, and form copy for each
- Assign clones to dedicated landing pages
- Compare lead submissions in HubSpot Landing Page Performance
Cloning made testing multiple layouts fast and simple.
How INSIDEA Helps
While cloning is straightforward, managing templates across a growing HubSpot portal requires structure and experience. INSIDEA helps you hire HubSpot experts and provides HubSpot consulting services for template management.
Our support includes:
- Setup and Onboarding: Configure portal and template libraries for clean cloning
- Template Development: Base layout coding and drag-and-drop customization
- System-Wide Consistency: Link shared modules wisely and enforce style governance
- Cloning Automation: Assign, distribute, or personalize clones automatically
- Reporting Insights: Track ROI by layout using CRM workflows and dashboards
Visit INSIDEA to connect with our team and ensure your cloned templates perform reliably at scale.
Stop rebuilding from scratch. Clone smart, test fast, and let us arm you with templates that perform every time you launch, while providing expert HubSpot consulting services and the ability to hire HubSpot experts for ongoing support.
