Integration into existing CSS/HTML site

[enigma666666]

Without going into detail, this approach simply will not work. The main reason is the fundamental difference between DYNAMIC content and STATIC content, and the fact that PHP performs hundreds of FUNCTIONS over-and-above its role of cobbling together a web page.

If you pursue this route, you are not only wasting a LOT of time on a pointless quest, but you are putting the functionality of your client's site at severe risk - not only from a performance point of view but also:

Security and User Data safety
Session Tracking and Management
Bi-directional communication with payment gateways
Search Engine analysis and indexing of your site.

If I was your client, you would be immediately FIRED !

Do the job properly... what you will deliver will be a dismal failure, then your client will blame zencart.

It is precisely because I am doing exactly as the client requested that the site will not be a dismal failure.
And you do not have to stress,nobody is going to blame Zencart for anything.

I really do not see how integrating (on 1 or 2 html webpages)
a categories sidebox which links to the Zencart itself and a search function which leads to Zencart search page, could result in the site being a dismal failure or a security risk.
Its akin to having a standard html page with a standard link to Zencart in a subfolder on the server.

It is possible to integrate other shopping carts within html sites without any problems so I do not see why Zencart should be any different or why it is such a taboo to even suggest integrating Zencart elements into other platforms.

Surely it can only be to the benefit of Zencart if those who really want to integrate Zencart into whatever platform, find a way to do so.
I know that Zencart is already very popular,but many find it difficult to customize and make it look the way that they want it to look. If Zencart has widgets for instance that could be added to existing websites, regardless of platform, it will make Zencart accessible to those who want an unique look to their sites and also to those who are not php boffins.

I also realize that php experts see it as an affront if a person does things the unorthodox way,but everything need not always be either black or white and to some people gray is a preferred color.

[schoolboy]

It is precisely because I am doing exactly as the client requested that the site will not be a dismal failure.
And you do not have to stress,nobody is going to blame Zencart for anything.

I really do not see how integrating (on 1 or 2 html webpages)
a categories sidebox which links to the Zencart itself and a search function which leads to Zencart search page, could result in the site being a dismal failure or a security risk.
Its akin to having a standard html page with a standard link to Zencart in a subfolder on the server.

It is possible to integrate other shopping carts within html sites without any problems so I do not see why Zencart should be any different or why it is such a taboo to even suggest integrating Zencart elements into other platforms.

Surely it can only be to the benefit of Zencart if those who really want to integrate Zencart into whatever platform, find a way to do so.
I know that Zencart is already very popular,but many find it difficult to customize and make it look the way that they want it to look. If Zencart has widgets for instance that could be added to existing websites, regardless of platform, it will make Zencart accessible to those who want an unique look to their sites and also to those who are not php boffins.

I also realize that php experts see it as an affront if a person does things the unorthodox way,but everything need not always be either black or white and to some people gray is a preferred color.

You are free to employ any methodology you wish, but your description of the methods you are currently focusing on indicate to me that you have a very limited understanding of how dynamic content sites work.

There is a LOT happening in the background that is not immediately obvious. Session tracking, algorithmic calculations, data processing and complex management that can ONLY be reliably performed using the core code.

Just because you can SEE stuff in a browser window and it APPEARS to do what it is designed to do, is no guarantee that ALL the functions are happening as they should.

Good luck!

[enigma666666]

You are free to employ any methodology you wish, but your description of the methods you are currently focusing on indicate to me that you have a very limited understanding of how dynamic content sites work.

There is a LOT happening in the background that is not immediately obvious. Session tracking, algorithmic calculations, data processing and complex management that can ONLY be reliably performed using the core code.

Just because you can SEE stuff in a browser window and it APPEARS to do what it is designed to do, is no guarantee that ALL the functions are happening as they should.

Good luck!

I have a general idea of what is cooking behind the scenes with regards to Dynamic content sites, but I am most defintely not
a coder at all! I'm more of the artsy,visual orientated, creative types

I assure you that I am not gonna be making a habit out of integrating some Zencart elements within html sites.
The client does not like the structured look of Zencart at all and want things to be integrated inside the original design I showed to him. The only way I can accomplish this is to do things the onorthodox way. Since the site is essentially an online catalog only and not a fully fledged online store,my methods should not pose a problem at all.

If however,a client wants a fully fledged online store with Zencart chosen as the preferred shopping cart, then I would rather design the entire site inside Zencart off course.

[schoolboy]

The client does not like the structured look of Zencart at all and want things to be integrated inside the original design I showed to him.

These two 100% pure zencart sites use EXACTLY the same template (designed by my colleague, fairestcape, and based on the bog-standard zencart CLASSIC template).

All that is different are the GRAPHICS and a few areas of the CSS.

SITE ONE
SITE TWO

[enigma666666]

These two 100% pure zencart sites use EXACTLY the same template (designed by my colleague, fairestcape, and based on the bog-standard zencart CLASSIC template).

All that is different are the GRAPHICS and a few areas of the CSS.

SITE ONE
SITE TWO

I like the first linked site, very nice site!

I get what you are saying.
I think what I am going to do, when I get some free time, is to create a couple of unique looking custom Zencart templates and use them as demos for when clients want an online store with Zen shopping cart.
It will make things much easier when working against a deadline, if I already have custom templates on hand.

[enigma666666]

Btw, since you have been a Zenner for ages,perhaps you can help me with something.
I asked on another thread,but thus far there has not been a concrete answer as to how exactly to accomplish the following:

Client wants products to display no prices or shopping cart at all, so I have disabled cart and prices in admin BUT client wants prices to be displayed on the "Specials" page, but no cart or quantities.

Log-in status is disabled and so the general public will be able to view products without prices and phone for prices.
Public will also be able to view the Specials which have prices displayed,but no online transactions will take place.

Client needs to update products and specials himself so I can't use login permissions as an option.

Any ideas how I can do this, bearing in mind that I am code "challenged"?

[enigma666666]

Log-in status is disabled and so the general public will be able to view products without prices and phone for prices.
Public will also be able to view the Specials which have prices displayed,but no online transactions will take place.

Client needs to update products and specials himself.
EDITED:I can't use login permissions as an option since login and cart wont be used on the site.