New Zenner, a few quick questions

Hi, My name is Andrew and I am new to Zen-Cart. I just had a few quick questions before I begin to build my site. Please keep in mind that I have minimal web design experience and will be paying someone to assist me in the process...

How many items can zen-cart support? It is stated in the introduction that the new cart allows for an unlimited number of items but in reality will I really be able to put thousands of items on my site? I plan on building a website that could one day grow to include thousands of items, realistically...

Does my whole website have to revolve around the zen-cart system or can I customize the home page?

Is there a database where I can obtain examples of many websites created by zen-cart, just curious.

Best Regards, Andrew

Hi Andrew. Welcome to the Forum.

I agree that stating 'unlimited' is a bit of a misnomer but realistically, a few thousand items or even 10,000 items should not be a problem. A lot depends as well on the Hosting services you have.

You can setup ZC within a sub-directory (yourdomain.com/shop/) if you want to run a seperate front-end to your Web site. Examples sites abound within this Forum, just check signatures in postings, and you can view sample Templates as well.

bbjr:

Hi, My name is Andrew and I am new to Zen-Cart. I just had a few quick questions before I begin to build my site. Please keep in mind that I have minimal web design experience and will be paying someone to assist me in the process...
in here you'll find many people will help for FREE! Now... IF you WANT to donate to the ZEN-TEAM, that always acceptable. AND should you want paid design help, there's plenty of us around for that too!

bbjr:

How many items can zen-cart support? It is stated in the introduction that the new cart allows for an unlimited number of items but in reality will I really be able to put thousands of items on my site? I plan on building a website that could one day grow to include thousands of items, realistically...
We have created several zen carts for small and large clients with varying needs. The largest we've actually created contains approx 28,000 items (audio books not all currently active) - http://www.iskape.com/

Limitation is more one of your host, not of ZenCart.

bbjr:

Does my whole website have to revolve around the zen-cart system or can I customize the home page?
You can do either. Most of our client sites utilize several static pages and various levels of customization of zen.

here are a few other examples (some are fairly old and dated):
http://www.scrubs-n-things.com/
http://www.foxysfitness.com/
http://www.garagewerks.com/
http://www.whitecaps-baseball.com/
http://www.foxysfitnessfashions.com/
http://www.davincistore.com/
http://www.flagforceone.com/

There used to be a list of categorized sites, but I haven't seen it in awhile. There are also some novel approaches by other zenners... check out some of those asking to be reviewed in the 'Reviewers Corner' http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=49

bbjr:

Is there a database where I can obtain examples of many websites created by zen-cart, just curious.
You may also want to look at Kuroi's template site where you can clik thru all the currently available stock templates in the download area. http://(sorry, site offline) (I think)

Wow thanks for the quick responses. I really appreciate it. You can tell that you love this program when there are so many active users on at any time. I checked out some of the info you posted and really like what I see. My only concern is that the majority of my site will not be your typical "store" (most items do not need the buy it now buttons". I will be running an online directory showcasing items for clients. I have heard that there will be a new version of the showcase option coming out. Will I need to wait for that or is there a way to simply delete the buy it now/payment section of the newest version of zen-cart. Once again thanks for all the help!

Best Regards, Andrew

Admin > Configuration > My Store > Store Status: 1

That settings takes away prices and might be what you want.

docfx:

We have created several zen carts for small and large clients with varying needs. The largest we've actually created contains approx 28,000 items (audio books not all currently active) - http://www.iskape.com/

Sure sounds like an advertisement to me - and by the way - there are quite a few designers who not only work with Zen carts, they proudly support the community by donating every month and "helping out" when they can on the forums. They are the ones that have more than 66 posts on the forum and their reputations can be checked by contacting other active members of the community.

Welcome to Zen Andrew..

I believe that the "New Showcase" you are referring to is the Zen Cart Showcase, which isn't the script or a script, it is an area on the website that has not been put back since the site was attacked earlier this year. In the Zen Cart Showcase you would find numerous sites using the Zen Cart Software as their backend.

Setting the store to showcase mode is another matter - the instructions for that have been pointed out here, but again you will have a dilemma if you plan to have both actual products and these other non-actual products because you can't mix Showcase Mode and Store mode.

In your case you might want to look at using Product-Document and Product-General settings.

You can also turn on/off much of what displays for which product types by looking in your admin area at Catalog/Product Types. Highlight the "Product General" product type and click on "Edit Layout" this will give you such abilities.

Hope that helps - and welcome again !

TinaS:

Sure sounds like an advertisement to me - and by the way - there are quite a few designers who not only work with Zen carts, they proudly support the community by donating every month and "helping out" when they can on the forums. They are the ones that have more than 66 posts on the forum and their reputations can be checked by contacting other active members of the community.

Well gosh, Tina... I guess in your case size might matter... or that quantity wins out over quality.

Andrew asked if Zen could handle lots of items. I believe, his actual question was "...but in reality will I really be able to put thousands of items on my site?" If you look around a large number of zen-carts have less than 500 items in them - I believe most of yours fall into this category. So who might be more qualified to answer the question, someone with a few posts that's done it or someone w/ a lot of time to post that hasn't?

I believe I was quite clear in suggesting 1st that he could find help in here for FREE, that two if he wanted to pay something to donate to the team or three if he wanted to he could probably also find people in here that would be available for hire.

For my part, I have worked behind the scenes on zen code or functionality issues w/ several quite reputable members of the zen community and team. Dealing w/terminal cancer might also have something to do w/ forum attendance/involvement. So, please before engaging your fingers in snarky side comments engage your brain.

Looks like it's about time for me to get down to work. I have reviewed numerous templates looking for one that will fit my needs. The "what-if.com" looked pretty amazing in my opinion. One think I have noticed is that there are few ads on many Zen-Cart sites but on the ones that did have ads, they were located at the BOTTOM of the page?? I would hope that there is a way that you can throw a small banner ad at the top in order to make a few extra bucks on the side. Anyways thanks for all the feed back guys (and girls) I really appreciate it. It's possible to have a custom template made for myself, correct? one that NO ONE else will ever have...?

bbjr:

Looks like it's about time for me to get down to work. I have reviewed numerous templates looking for one that will fit my needs. The "what-if.com" looked pretty amazing in my opinion. One think I have noticed is that there are few ads on many Zen-Cart sites but on the ones that did have ads, they were located at the BOTTOM of the page?? I would hope that there is a way that you can throw a small banner ad at the top in order to make a few extra bucks on the side.

Andrew,
Thanks.

The advert banners are controlled via the banner manager in >admin>tools>banner manager. When you add a banner you indicate which group is belongs to wide or sidebox 'group'. You then make them active or inactive similar to products and categories.

If you make the banner a sidebox, then the >admin/tools>layout boxes controller comes into play. Look for sideboxes/banner_box.php and sideboxes/banner_box2.php to decide if you want them on and where (left/right).

Depending on the site's and store's content, don't overdo the banner adverts. Too much going on can distract the e-shopper from the primary purpose you invited them there for... to buy something. :)

bbjr:

Anyways thanks for all the feed back guys (and girls) I really appreciate it. It's possible to have a custom template made for myself, correct? one that NO ONE else will ever have...?

And, yes the sample templates in the download area are just that samples to be used or not. You can, as many have done, create (or have created for you) a 'skin' that is unique to just your store. How much it departs from the more 'traditional' look will be determined by the time and effort that is put into making the necessary overrides.

good luck