Integrating HTML design into Zen Cart?

[RummageGuy]

I'm learning my way around the Admin Panel and all of the various parts of Zen Cart., but since I'm not much of a HTML or code writer I do like how the WYSIWYG programs work. One question that I have is this, if I were to have a Website that was made with WYSIWYG software already up and running but wanted to add Zen Cart to do all the order processing, is it possible to somehow "merge" Zen Cart into another site and adapt Zen to do all the order functions?

[DrByte]

It would be best to modify the template of Zen Cart to look like your current design; and then Zen Cart "becomes" your site, with all eCommerce capabilities available to you.

[RummageGuy]

I want a second opinion! (Ok that was a joke Dr., I do appreciate your FAST reply.) Well I have been messing with the Zen Cart and I realize I'm going to need to buy the EZ Populate Advanced to upload my products. That add-on is priced very reasonable if it does what it says AND I'm smart enough how to figure out the input of data from my Access Database into EZ Populate Advanced.

I have tried a product called 4W Webmerge and I have not had great results getting that to integrate from Access - Frontpage. It claims to be "EZ to use" but right now I'm doubting that. I'm taking a break from trying to figure that out PLUS it's not a shopping cart product so I'm still not going to end up where I want to be using that, I'd still face the shopping cart woe.

I'm starting to think I'm a cheap-skate just like most other people in this world! I'm really willing to pay some bigger $$$'s if I was sure what I was buying was going to work for me fairly simple. I guess I'll get the basic store up with Zen Cart and add a few items, then figure out if EZ Populate is going to be EZ'r (another joke) than 4W Webmerge.

Thanks again for your reply, not often a Doctor gives advice to so many without sending a bill! Have a great Sunday.

[Blue!]

Having never used EZ populate I can't comment.

But with regards to your questions on html, the template system in Zen Cart allows you to replicate almost any look that you wish, using the header and footer tpl overrides combined with the css, almost anything is possible.

Note: If you have an existing html site, you can use most of the existing html to build you header and footer of ZC site.

The easiest solution would be to let ZC become your site, using EZ pages for non cart related pages. It also makes management a lot easier as everything is in one place.