Template question

[4everrose]

I like how my current website looks but would like to use zencart - how would I create a template of my current page? I don't get this.

[Kim]

Have you downloaded and installed the program on your web host yet? What does your present site look like?

[gjh42]

Can you post a link to your current site? It's much easier to give advice if we know what look you want to replicate.

Your first step should be to just set up a stock installation of Zen Cart in a test folder (with the demo products) according to the instructions, and play with it. See how it works, what all the switches in admin do, etc. If you break it, toss it and install a new copy.

Then read the "First Steps" forum and some of the sticky threads, like "Second Step... Templates" and the FAQs/tutorials about templates. These will give you a good understanding of how & why the system works.

Then, depending on the final look you want, you can download and modify one of the free templates, or build your own from scratch, working step by step to get the largest background elements right and working in to details.

[madmumbler]

You need to create a "test" Zen Cart installation on your server. One not linked to your main store so you can play with it without worrying about the public seeing it. Get used to configurations, etc.

I tell people first to thoroughly explore all the Admin panel configuations. A lot of what people want to do can be controlled through the Admin panel, and it beats spending hours trying to manipulate the template just to find you can change the site with an easy setting switch!

Once you do that, get comfortable with it, look at all the documentation available on the template override system. Get familiar with that. Duplicate the "classic" template and play with it. Start with changing simple things like graphics and layout, then start going more with the stylesheet.css file.

Do NOT modify the classic or template_default templates! When you upgrade, it will wipe out your changes.

If you don't have a good CSS primer, there's a good site at: http://www.w3schools.com/css/default.asp that can help with CSS code issues.

HTH,

[4everrose]

My current website is www.4everrose.com. I'm currently using Pay Pal for my shopping cart but would like to use zen cart because it has more to offer it seems.

[afo]

Yes, Zen Cart has more to offer and it shouldn't be too difficult to recreate that look in ZC.

[afo]

I wanted to add this to my previous post, but time ran out.

I did a prototype cart for someone and made a list of the files I changed in order to do it. I think it'll help you recreate the look of your current site in ZC.

To create a very basic custom template (you can build from there), you need:

• includes/languages/YOUR_TEMPLATE/english.php
• includes/languages/english/YOUR_TEMPLATE/index.php
• includes/languages/english/YOUR_TEMPLATE/header.php (to change the logo)
• includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/template_info.php
• includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/common/tpl_header.php
• includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/common/tpl_footer.php
• includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/images/logo.gif
• includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/css/stylesheet.css

Anywhere you see a /classic/ folder, you can create a folder for your custom template. You can copy the necessary files from either the /classic/ folder, the /template_default/ folder or the parent folder.

Edit includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/template_info.php to give your template identifying information so you'll recognize it in the admin under tools->template selection.

If you want to see the prototype, look here.

[madmumbler]

My current website is www.4everrose.com. I'm currently using Pay Pal for my shopping cart but would like to use zen cart because it has more to offer it seems.

You can use PayPal in conjunction with Zen Cart. PayPal is the payment "gateway" while Zen Cart passes the sales information to them. You'll find it's a lot simpler once you get it up and running.

You should be able to customize your Zen Cart to get it looking like your main site. That's not a horribly complicated layout you have, so it should be fairly easy.

[afo]

You should be able to customize your Zen Cart to get it looking like your main site. That's not a horribly complicated layout you have, so it should be fairly easy.

That's what I thought. It's a simple, clean design and should work well in ZC.

[gjh42]

A few basic suggestions:

Turn off the right column in admin > Configuration > Layout Settings > Column Right Global - Status.

Use the Categories-Tabs menu and turn off the standard categories sidebox.

You probably won't need to use includes/languages/english/YOUR_TEMPLATE/header.php, includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/common/tpl_header.php, or includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/common/tpl_footer.php.

You may need to modify includes/modules/YOUR_TEMPLATE/product_listing.php and possibly includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/templates/tpl_product_info_display.php.

Use the Column Grid Layout mod from the Downloads section (link at top of this page) to get your product listings side-by-side.

The part that won't work in Zen Cart exactly as you have it currently is the popups and custom color choices directly from the product listing page. There are a couple of viable alternatives, but that is getting deep into the details. Start messing around, and ask when you need specific help.