Adding Images Still Confusing

[VintageCarol]

After several months using Zen Cart, I still feel that I do not know the correct way to add images to my listings. I would love to see a tutorial that lists the steps in order. Yes I have read all of the tutorials that are listed and searched the forums. The manual is not very easy to understand. The "product image" box etc. is confusing. This is my usual steps when adding an image; I place an image of my product in the actual description by uploading. Then I hit the "preview" then "insert" button. Of course I have to go back and use the image handler to add the thumbnail of the product. Thank You for any help.

[afo]

You're making this far more complicated than necessary.

If you have the image on your local drive (your computer), click the "browse" button next to the "product image" box. This will display items from your hard drive. You can go to whatever folder (directory) you need to and select the image. The path will show up in the "product image" box.

Next, use the pull down menu marked "Upload to directory:" to select where you want to store the image on your website. For example, on the Holzheimer site in my sig, there are image folders for each actor/show/movie. When the owner sends me new images, I upload them to the proper folder. If the images are for something or someone new, I have to create the folder outside Zen Cart (in CPanel) OR create it on my computer and upload it using FTP before proceding.

After that, click "preview". You should get a message on the top of the screen that the image was uploaded and you'll see it in the upper right of the screen next to the product description. Then click "update".

That's it.

[woodshopinwv]

I am also having problems uploading my images. I go through all the steps and preview and insert. The image shows up during the preview.. but it is not showing up on my webpage. I have no idea what I am doing wrong. Thank you for any help you can offer.

[afo]

A link to your site might be helpful.

[woodshopinwv]

Sorry, I thought when I added my homepage to my profile, it would show up. http://www.thewoodshopinwv.com I'm not sure what I did, but the pictures are showing up now. I'm using Dreamweaver.. I'm still having problems with my link exchange banners showing up tho.

[mprough]

Sorry, I thought when I added my homepage to my profile, it would show up. http://www.thewoodshopinwv.com I'm not sure what I did, but the pictures are showing up now. I'm using Dreamweaver.. I'm still having problems with my link exchange banners showing up tho.

I see your images including your banners just fine.

You know your stuff is all out of stock right?

~Melanie

[woodshopinwv]

Hi Melanie,
I think I finally got it figured out, I'm new to dreamweaver.... and yes.. all my items are out of stock, I cut the kits out as they are ordered. I have that information on the ordering info page. I have over 1200 kits, and there is no way I could have them all precut as I don't know what will sell. On my old cart, the out of stock did not show up, is there a way to remove that? I clicked the option do no show quantity but that's when the out of stock shows up.
I've had the new cart for about 2 months, and sales have been way down since then... I've went from sales of $600+ since June to only 1 order this month.. I'm thinking it's because of the "out of stock" showing up.
Thanks for your help.
Mindy

[mprough]

What difference does it make to you and the operation to have stock showing in and ready to go... changes nothing as I see it.

I just checked out to test things..... Some pointers

1. show the stock in
2. reduce the information collection necessary on checkout
3. Get credit card processing
4. Fix the styles on your shipping estimator so one can use it
5. You shipping seems pretty high
6. Post in plain view your payment options

These things will help you.

~Melanie

[woodshopinwv]

I purchased this business in June, it had been in operation for 5 yrs with 500+ customer base...many are repeating. Everything was already set up. I just took over where she left off. We changed carts because the old one sometimes had a glitch and didn't show all the items ordered but did show a total price of product bought. Here are the ones you suggested I look at..

1. Show the stock in- I'm in the process of changing that right now, although it will take me days..

2. reduce the information collection necessary on checkout--- if they are a returning customer, login seems pretty easy.. new customers... all the information thats asked for is what is needed.. what suggestions do you have that I delete?

3. Get credit card processing- --they can pay with cc on paypal..


4. Fix the styles on your shipping estimator so one can use it- --without having the item in stock, I have no idea what it weighs till it's done.. I know this is a problem, but I'm not sure what to do about it at this time.

5. You shipping seems pretty high --- actually, sometimes I have to pay a little more out of my pocket. The wood is pretty heavy to ship. No one has complained about that so far.

6. Post in plain view your payment options- I'll also work on that..
Thank you Melanie!

[mprough]

I purchased this business in June, it had been in operation for 5 yrs with 500+ customer base...many are repeating. Everything was already set up. I just took over where she left off. We changed carts because the old one sometimes had a glitch and didn't show all the items ordered but did show a total price of product bought. Here are the ones you suggested I look at..

1. Show the stock in- I'm in the process of changing that right now, although it will take me days..

Try installing quick updates from the addon section

2. reduce the information collection necessary on checkout--- if they are a returning customer, login seems pretty easy.. new customers... all the information thats asked for is what is needed.. what suggestions do you have that I delete?

Company - Salutation - Fax - None of these are really necessary, make the form longer than necessary and people are not happy about supplying unnecessary personal information.... If you doubt me Google "Checkout abandonment"

3. Get credit card processing- --they can pay with cc on paypal..

PayPal gives the impression that you are not a "Real" business, its ok as a second option, but your store is viewed with caution by shoppers when only PayPal is available for paying online. Lets face it, eBay and the shopper traps for insurance, shipping and payment have really scarred your average online shopper.

4. Fix the styles on your shipping estimator so one can use it- --without having the item in stock, I have no idea what it weighs till it's done.. I know this is a problem, but I'm not sure what to do about it at this time.

Contact your designer to fix it, people need shipping estimates.

5. You shipping seems pretty high --- actually, sometimes I have to pay a little more out of my pocket. The wood is pretty heavy to ship. No one has complained about that so far.

Cool.

6. Post in plain view your payment options- I'll also work on that..
This will also help checkout abandonment by letting shoppers know the options up front.

Thank you Melanie!

Lastly, if you intend to know anything about your shoppers, where they are coming from, going, leaving, looking at etc to grow your business you will need proper stats. Check the addon section for Google Analytics.

~Melanie