How to set up downloadable products?

[dbrewster]

I created a "DOWNLOAD" older insode the "zencart".

I thought the default Zen Cart installs with a download folder in that location, and has sample download files, too. So you would not have to create a download folder. If you set up the "demo" store, I think that file download is configured in it. That would give you something to copy. You could set up a completely separate store with the Demo defaults, if you web hosting service allows it.

Are you using the current version of Zen Cart?

There could be a lot of reasons why the file name is invalid, starting with unacceptable characters. Be sure to remove spaces, hyphens, underscores, all non-alphanumeric characters from the file name.

Be sure that you have set the correct permissions on the folder and file.

Try setting up a download with a different file type, such as .zip.

If something doesn't work:

1) Retrace all your steps one by one, and retrace again
2) Try making minor modifications to get a clearer idea of what is and is not working.

[Ajeh]

Creating a Product with a Download ...

To prepare to use Downloads ... you must first build some Option Names and Option Values that will be used to make the Attributes for the Download ...

In the Option Name Manager ... create an Option Name such as either:
Version
Download

Make the Option Type a Radiobutton or Dropdown

Next, go to the Option Values Manager ...

You need to build for the Option Name the Option Values, such as:
Zip file
English Zip file

To do this, you would pick the Option Name that you created such as Download and then enter: Zip file

for the Option Value ...

Now, create your Product ... when done, click the A for Attributes or go to the Attributes Controller and locate your Product ...

Select the Option Name: Download

Select the Option Value: Zip file

Enter the filename - this should be a Zip file without spaces or special characters or extra periods in the name such as: myfilename.zip

Enter the number of days for the person to be allowed to download the file

Enter the number of times that they can try to make the download

If this is the only download choice, mark it as the default

When saved, you should see a green dot next to the filename if you have loaded the file to the /download directory

Set /pub to chmod 777

On a unix server, in the Configuration ... Attribute Settings ... you should turn ON the Redirect

If for some reason on your unix server you cannot download small or large files, then speak to your host and find out why you are not able to use the symbolic link set in the .htaccess file ...

If you can download small files but not large files, ask your host why you cannot download large files and have them fix your site so that you can ...

NOTE: On a windows server, in the Configuration ... Attribute Settings ... you should turn OFF the Redirect

[Ajeh]

NOTE: also ensure that you are using the latest version of Zen Cart ... at this time that would be v1.3.0.2 ...

[pimptress]

Ok, I have the latest Zen cart. My problem is I have more then 1 ZIP file for some of my products. How do I figure out how to have more then 1 zip per file? I have tried doing 1, 2, 3 for file names. i.e myfile1.zip, myfile2.zip and so on. But it says that I can not have more then 1 zip attribute for the file. Any help would be appreciated.

[Ajeh]

When you have Multiple Downloads for the same Product ... you need to add Multiple Option Names, each with their own Option Values ...

Option Names (Option Type Radiobutton):
Download 1 Sort Order 10
Download 2 Sort Order 20
Download 3 Sort Order 30

Add the Option Value:
Pick the Download 1 and add the Option Name: of 3

Add the Option Value:
Pick the Download 2 and add the Option Name: of 3

Add the Option Value:
Pick the Download 3 and add the Option Name: of 3

When adding the Attributes ...

pick from the Option Name dropdown: Download 1
pick from the Option Value dropdown: of 3 [Download 1]
add the filename, days, max
set as default

pick from the Option Name dropdown: Download 2
pick from the Option Value dropdown: of 3 [Download 2]
add the filename, days, max
set as default

pick from the Option Name dropdown: Download 3
pick from the Option Value dropdown: of 3 [Download 3]
add the filename, days, max
set as default


All you are doing is building the parts to make this happen ...

[Lawbird123]

I am having a problem... everything seems to work fine, after I followed the directions, but my site is not asking me if i would like to download the file or not (no Download link). what's up with that?
any help would be appreciated!

[Ajeh]

Which Attribute is your Default attribute for the Product?

You do have a Default attribute and not just an unselected Radio button, right?

Do you have an URL to a Product that is not working?

[Lawbird123]

i figured it out. it was an admin setting that i had messed with.

thanks for your help tho!

[Lawbird123]

i do have one other question tho... how do i get rid of the product quantity above my "add to cart.?" ive tried a couple of different things and it still wont go away. im working with the latest version of zen cart and the "nifty zen" template.

thanks in advance for any help!

[Ajeh]

Best to use new threads on new topics ...

Catalog ... Product Types ...

Pick the Product Type and hit the Edit Layout button the turn off what you do not wish to see ...