Product Finder: multiple category drop-downs

[mikestaps]

I am in the beginning stages of building a truck accessories website. Eventually, we will have thousands of parts.

I have installed ZC, bought a business template from 12leaves and had the "product finder" module installed.

But looking at the admin panel and reading the forums for advice, it seems that creating an accessories/parts site will be tedious. For one, I can't figure out the category/subcategory structure I want to use.

Any advice?

If you look in the sidebox folder of the product finder mod the zencart_cat.jpg shows a example of how to break down you cats.

For your application I would arrange it like something like this:

Product(0)-All of your product would go here.

Manufacturer(1) (vehicle manufacturer) -->

Sub Cat of 1 -Model (2)(model of vehicle)-->

Sub Cat of 2- Year (3)(years that the parts fit)--> Linked Product goes here.

[Serious]

This could be a great add-on for my site....if I can wrap my noggin around the basics of course.

I'm going to try this on my local host first to make sure I get it right.

So onto the questions.

Right now I've got 20-something categories and most have sub-cats as well. Do I set up new new sub cats that contain the make, then model, then year?

I've looked at the product finder.php file and have found where the master category number is added.

unction zen_get_category_tree($parent_id = '3', $category_tree_array = '')

So I can replace the "3" with one of the category ID numbers from list of categories....but what about all of the other categories I have?

I'm not seeing where to add the sub-cats either.

Maybe I need more coffee....

[outeredge2]

This could be a great add-on for my site....if I can wrap my noggin around the basics of course.

I'm going to try this on my local host first to make sure I get it right.

So onto the questions.

Right now I've got 20-something categories and most have sub-cats as well. Do I set up new new sub cats that contain the make, then model, then year?

I've looked at the product finder.php file and have found where the master category number is added.

So I can replace the "3" with one of the category ID numbers from list of categories....but what about all of the other categories I have?

I'm not seeing where to add the sub-cats either.

Maybe I need more coffee....

You make a 'Master catergory' folder. For example I will use car realted infoas that is what I have. My master folder is 'All.' This is the catergory you use for the catergory ID (This will find the folders to populate the drop down). Then you build the folders inside that master folder. And then each sub catergory goes inside that folder

My looks like this

(Mater) All

(Catergory)
-Nissan

(Sub Catergory)
--240sx
(Sub-Sub Catergory)
---1990
---1991
---1992
---1993

(Sub Catergory)
--maxima
(Sub-Sub Catergory)
---1990
---1991
---1992
---1993

(Sub Catergory)
--versa
(Sub-Sub Catergory)
---1999
---2000
---2001
---2002


-ford
-Toyota, etc


So you make one master folder (I called mine 'ALL') , then inside that you make the first level catergories folders (eg: Nissan, Ford, etc). Then inside EACH one of thes you make the sub catergories (mine is the car make - sentra, 240sx, versa, maxima). Then again inside EACH of those you mae the 3rd level Sub Sub catergory (mine is the vehcile year - 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993). Then you link EVERY product you have the matches those catergories. So in the Nissan - Sentra - 1990 folder I listed EVERY part I have that will fit that car.

Everything you input should have it's own folder. That is how the finder knows where to search.

Does that makes sense? Sometimes I ramble!

[Serious]

Might not be possible for my site then.

My vendor has the make/model/year info in the product description and not as seperate entries on the spreadsheet I get from them. I'll have to ask if they have another spreadheet with the correct info in seperate fields.

[outeredge2]

Might not be possible for my site then.

My vendor has the make/model/year info in the product description and not as seperate entries on the spreadsheet I get from them. I'll have to ask if they have another spreadheet with the correct info in seperate fields.

Thats fine. It's all about how you link them. You info can have anything you want in it but if you link them it is fine. YOU just need to know what product goes where. For example, if I wanted to I could have it so that when a person Searches Nissan, 240sx, 1990 it would return the parts for a Mazda, Protege, 2008 a long as I link the mazda product to that file.

It takes ALOT of work but if you want to do it, it can be done.

How many products are we talking about here?

[Serious]

10k parts......

I need a couple asprin.

[outeredge2]

10k parts......

I need a couple asprin.

I know the feeling... I do a little each day. I have hit almost 15k so far and still counting

You should also look into Categories manger in the free downloads section. Helps out great!!

[Serious]

This one?
http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=1854

[Serious]

Alrighty...Doesn't look to be as bad as I thought is it was going to be. After playing around on my local site it seems fairly straight forward.

From what I can tell so far the hardest part is going to be creating the subcats for all of the various makes,models, & years. I've sent an email to my supplier asking for a spreadsheet based on those parameters. If I can get it from them this process should go a lot faster.

Once again I'm amazed the level of knowledge and support here.

A huge Thanks to all of you folks.

[outeredge2]

Personally I think the hard part is the linking all the products, but if you can get a spreadsheet from your supplier with thatbroken down.. WAY TO GO.. and tell me the supplier . none of mine are that helpful!