Website exists already. Interested in integrating with ZC

Hi Everyone -

First off, I'm completely new to Zen Cart.

My client already has a website which they want their current eCommmerce system replaced.

Is there a way I can setup Zen Cart to the side so that:

1. It is accessible via a subdomain reference (i.e. - cart.somesite.com)
2. I can use some sort of "widget" to show the Zen Cart products with "add to cart" in parts of the website. This could be via using php's include or whatever. (no iFrames though)

Thanks much!
Bob

Zen isn't really an "add-on" solution for eCommerce. The simplest way to approach it is to install Zen Cart and then customize it to look like the existing site. You can do that in a sub-directory of the domain and then when you have the look the client wants it's a simple matter to move the site to the root.

2. I can use some sort of "widget" to show the Zen Cart products with "add to cart" in parts of the website. This could be via using php's include or whatever. (no iFrames though)Unlike just dropping in a buy now button from PayPal, Zen Cart is a robust, complete e-commerce engine. It operates with, and relies on, session IDs that are lost when a non-logged in customer leaves the cart's environment to go to some other area (directory) of a site.

It's not uncommon for folks to think they can keep the original site and point to the cart but, using the engine analogy, think of it this way.

You wouldn't decide to add an engine to your car by putting an extra one in the trunk or attaching it to a trailer you'd tow behind your car. You'd more than likely keep the body style of the car, remove the existing engine, and add the new engine. You might have to make a few modifications to get the new engine to mount but, you could make it work as long as the space was sufficient.

With a website, the body style is far more flexible than that of a physical car. The body style is controlled by the stylesheet and so flexible that you can place the new engine in the front, rear, or mid-engine.

With additional sideboxes, ezpages, and some stylesheet work, I doubt that there's a "body style" that could not be matched.

Where you must be careful is in selecting your "body style." Many horror stories can be found on this forum where someone bought a body style (template) because it looked "purdy." Just like the car analogy, the body style may look really fancy, but underlying modifications can make further style changes or modifications extremely difficult if not impossible.

You may also need to be looking for a new "garage." Hosting needs change dramatically when you start selling products and collecting customer information. Luckily the new 1.5.0 (Release Candidate 1 out today) is PCI compliant out of the box. Your host and your server may not be compliant so you need to verify that before taking out a long term lease on the "garage."

You've made a great start on your research. And, as they say, "Knowledge is power."
:flex:

Thanks very much for your responses. The car analogy was great. I'll rethink my position on the car vs. engine and what not.

Cheers!
Bob