Is there a way to integrate a Zen Cart install into an existing website? I am running the MODx Content Management System, and would like to integrate different aspects of Zencart, like the newest products box, shopping cart links, etc., just to make it look like the cart system is integrated into the CMS.
set up Zencart somewhere else in you back end then have your links in your website refer to it - essentially you will ba operating 2 sites the static and the store
The problem with that is when someone moves from the Zen Cart pages to the static pages, the Zen Cart session and the contents of the shopping cart can be lost.
I'm new to Zen Cart and do currently some research in regards to the integration of Zen Cart into Textpattern (CMS). My client has an existing website done in Textpattern and wants a store added on. What I have read so far is that the problem lies in loosing the session information when moving from the cart to the static pages. You have mentioned that the Zen Cart session and the contents of the cart "can" be lost? Do I understand that they will definitely be lost or is there a way of keeping tham muntil the user navigatesd back to the store?
As session information the cart contents will definitely be lost if the visitor leaves the cart. However, if you can convince them to create an account before leaving, then whatever is in their cart will always be in their cart until they finally check out, no matter how long that is or whether they leave your site entirely, so long as they log back in to get it.
Rob, many thnaks for your helpful answer. I now agreed with my client to have a link on the existing website to the shop which will open a new browsewr window/tab. If a user has logged into the shop and added items to the cart, it would be easy for the user to use the first window with the normal website open to read some more relevany information about the company and their services without loosing the login information and itmes in the cart. Do you think that is the correct way to go? Or would users be put off because of the separate browser window/tab? I obviously will ensure that the payment will happen without a new window to be opened.
Yes, I think you are safe with the method you have used.
In time, you can start using features such as EZPages to incorporate the info that is on the main site. Then, when the content is moved, the "main site" becomes redundant and can be removed, and the shop moved up to the root directory.
Don't forget the timeout issue for the session. I believe it is set to 24 minutes, and as other discussions here have revealed, it's neither easy nor advisable to change that. So if potential customers do much browsing in the main site after adding something to the cart, they can still lose the cart contents even if that second window stays open.
If your main site is PHP-based (like a CMS), it is possible to integrate the sessions so there is not a risk of losing the cart while in the main site. This is technically advanced, though, and you need to already know what you are doing to try it. Some people have posted in the forum about the subject.
Thank you all for your replies.
Schoolboy: I will not be tempted to convert the whole website with EZpages, since I read a lot about it's limitations. I'm using the Textpattern as a CMS and it is really flexible. I will first try to match the appearance of the store as close as possible to the existing website in Zen Cart at least in terms of colours and general layout.
Rob: 24 minutes seems to be pretty long anyway for a session to last anyway. As a user I would not be too critical if I would have to add to the cart again or evene if I would have to login again.
gjh42: I use the PHP base CMS Textpattern. I have used it for many sites and I'm really happy with it. Could you please point me in the right direction about the integration of the sessions? I would like at least to have a look and see if this exceeds my php knowledge.
