Multiple stores with one checkout ?

[Muddler]

I would like to set up multiple small stores instead of one large mixed-product junkfest. However, to my dismay if I understand correctly, every store (domain, URL) would need it's own SSL and merchant account & gateway. This would be prohibitive. Can I somehow redirect the checkout so that this processing happens on one central domain where the SSL and gateways are hooked to? All stores are on the same server with the same IP.

Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Ad<thanks>vance

[ladysaat]

ooo good question as I also have another store! I was hoping to do same thing.

[Absolute]

Sorry its taken a while to reply - but I may have good news. I'm currently putting the final touches on a test store which does exactly what your after, and it should be completed by tomorrow.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Absolute

[Muddler]

Wow !!!

That's fantastic. Can't wait to hear back from you. If there is anything I can do to help, don't hesitate to ask.

[ladysaat]

I second the WOW! I am so excited. I really didn't want to pay for a second merchant account. We are a single income fam. and well, if I had alot of money I wouldn't be trying to work from home/stay at home w/kiddies. LOL!

I am very excited. I don't know much but I too would help in any way I could.

[kobra]

Hoping that I am understanding your problem correctly:

What you want is configureable actually quite easily depending on the restrictions that your host has. And individual SSL's & dedicated IP's costing what they do, if your hosting Co. will not support this, time to look for a new host.

This assumes that your host supports and allows 'add-on domains', you have a dedicated IP associated with the primary account url, a SSL registered to the Primary account, reasonable MySQL DB cost or included, and other domain names FQDN's to add. cPanelX makes this easy to manage but is not required.

add your additional domains
set your SSL to function like a shared SSL that many hosts can/will provide.
Link/Set your Zencart to point to the correct URL for the SSL sessions in configure.php

Example:

Primary account = ABC.com
1st add account = ABCpots.com
2nd add account = ABCpans.com
3rd add account = ABCspoons.com

and so forth, The url names are inconsequential but the browser will indicate the HTPPS://www.name.com and one might like to keep it associated with your mini-store url's or the other way around; keep your mini stores url's associated with your primary url as this just appears more professional.
But it will work no matter the url name, just as the shared SSL also works but does not portray any linkage to the stores url at all.

Your primary url will process all the purchases and be setup with a single merchant/gateway account. This might not provide which store the purchase was made from, but this is available in each Zencart install.

Each added domain is addressable via its' own url and you have an instance of ZenCart installed for each in its' own space.

[DigitalConcepts]

Sorry its taken a while to reply - but I may have good news. I'm currently putting the final touches on a test store which does exactly what your after, and it should be completed by tomorrow.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Absolute

Hello Absolute
did you ever finalize this mod? or have a working model that just needs final touches?

[DigitalConcepts]

Hello Absolute
did you ever finalize this mod? or have a working model that just needs final touches?

sort of looks like there isnt any interests anymore in this type of stores?
would anyone like to get hired, or know someone that knows zencart to get this or the one available working ?

[Design75]

sort of looks like there isnt any interests anymore in this type of stores?
would anyone like to get hired, or know someone that knows zencart to get this or the one available working ?

the existing mod works fine with the newest zen cart versions. If you need help you can contact me trough PM or email.

[glennfish]

Here's something I did that may be interesting.

We're setting up a single cart for crediting about 1,000 or more charities for the purchases that come through them.

Found a cool way.

The originating web site has a specific forwarding link with some java script in it. The HTML is this:


<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">

function open_win() {
win2 = window.open("http://www.yourstore.com/index.php?action=buy_now&products_id=36","_blank","width=5,height=5");
var u = setTimeout("stuff2()", 3000);
}


function stuff2(){
win2.close();
win3 = window.open("http://www.yourstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=36", "_parent", "toolbar=yes, menubar=yes,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,titlebar=yes");
}
</script>

<body onload="open_win() ;">

</body>

</html>


Now notice there are two things going on. First, with one window for this session ID, we add a product to the cart. Then wait 3 seconds.

Then we blow that window away.

Then we go to the product description for that product. This is the landing page for the store that the buyer actually sees.

In this case, product ID # 36 is the description of a specific charitable organization that will be credited for the order, and product ID #36 is free free and free.

So, when checkout happens, the order record in the DB has the $ value of the total, and we can sort by the product ID to determine who gets store credit.

We set up a product category "nonprofits" and each nonprofit in the system is a different product with a description and image unique to that nonprofit.

When someone links from their web site to their store, they get an automatic add of the product ID, and then that window poofs as they land on the product page.

The only time it would fail is if the buyer explicitly removes the free product from the cart before placing the order.

You have to match the nonprofits (store owners?) with their product I.D. and generate a fresh HTML file with that ID for each unique originator.