How long did it take you?

[penstaar]

I am a web designer who hasn't done much ecommerce setup or programming outside of html, css and some copy and paste javascript.

One of my clients wants me to setup zen cart for them, and of course wants an estimate of time it will take me.

I have already designed and coded a page layout in html and want to customize zen cart to match my design.

I have no idea (and of course neither do you have any idea) how long it will take me. Everyone has different capabilities and requirements.

That being said, I'm wondering if anyone reading could give me even the roughest estimate of how long it took you to customize the look of the shopping cart to fit your design.

I'm not talking about adding all of your products and getting all of the bells and whistles working to point that it is ready to launch... just wondering about the time to customize the look of it so that the shop page is looking like the other pages for the site that I've already created.

I've taken a stab at it so far and have the new zen user syndrome of feeling confused... How much work does it take to get over the confusion hump?

10 hours? 50?

Thanks for your help.

[Kim]

That is a very difficult question as there are many variables to consider. The main thing to consider is how complicated is the page design and how far from the "stock" look is the design - a shot of the proposed design would help.

[penstaar]

Many thanks for your response, Kim!

Here is the link:
http://www.modtomodern.com/

I would like to use zen cart to power the let's shop page.

Thank you

[Chris - Jetshack]

Its taken me a couple of weeks but im completely new to zen cart and have always payed someone to do all the web setup work for me so im still chuffed! oh and have i said how eternally grateful i am to the creators of zencart!!

[bobdog]

Your best bet is to bid a fair price only. Remember that once you learn Zen Cart, you have another tool on your belt and a feather in your cap, so to speak.

The next time you make an ecommerce site, you will know what to charge. Consider it a learning experience on the first client.

[Kim]

Having taken a peek at the design- that one should be fairly fast provided you begin to understand the template override system. Start with the FAQ section and the Template Customization section.

[bobdog]

Kim is correct.

That should get you started. I never charge clients for the learning curve. But if you are a web designer, you will figure it out. The support in this forum is excellent.

Remember one thing in the web design world- don't let your mouth write a check that your ######## can't cash!