MailChimp Newsletter Sidebox

Thank you, Dr. Byte!

The site this is on isn't actually using mailchimp so not to worry for the moment.

and yup it continues with the brackets on that same line. Will go directly to the source!

Hmmm ... further testing reveals that it should be compatible with 5.4.0 and newer.
The fact that you're getting the errors you mention suggests maybe your pHP version isn't what you think it is?

That's what cPanel says it is but the hosting is a bit screwy. Perhaps I just need to not worry about it since he isn't using it! Thanks for looking at it for me.

So this happened again - this time on a site with 5.2.17 so I think you are correct that the php version was not what it said it was. Once again, Dr Byte rules!

You can easily verify the exact PHP version by creating a small script called test.php

I have the Mailchimp module (someone installed it for me i guess because i don't remember installing it myself). I do have a sidebox for visitors to subscribe, but during the checkout process, the customer used to have a checkbox to say if they wanted to be subscribed to the newsletter (it used to be checked by default until CAN-SPAM came into effect several years ago) however, i don't know where it is, yet, some customers still show "Subscribed" in the Newsletter option. My questions are:

• where is that checkbox? or basicaly where are customers choosing that Newsletter option?
• the customers who show "Subscribed: in the Newsletter option are NOT added my MailChimp list; is that expected? or not?
• if it is not supposed to happen like that, where should i look to fix that?

Thanks

CaroleAs:

• where is that checkbox? or basicaly where are customers choosing that Newsletter option?
  Thanks
  It is the checkbox on the Create Account page.

CaroleAs:

• the customers who show "Subscribed: in the Newsletter option are NOT added my MailChimp list; is that expected? or not?
  Thanks
  A few possibilities. 1) they signed up before the plugin was installed 2) Something isn't working right 3) They didn't click the link in the email from MailChimp to confirm their email.

CaroleAs:

• if it is not supposed to happen like that, where should i look to fix that?
  Thanks

I'd suggest re-installing the plugin to be sure everything is done correctly.

jeking:

It is the checkbox on the Create Account page.
Oh duh!! Didn't think of that!

jeking:

A few possibilities. 1) they signed up before the plugin was installed 2) Something isn't working right 3) They didn't click the link in the email from MailChimp to confirm their email.

1. the module was installed years ago, but last weeks customers are not added! so this is not the explanation
2. that is what i worry
3. hum... didn't think that would be a possibility but it would not explain why EVERYONE is missing on the MC list!

jeking:

I'd suggest re-installing the plugin to be sure everything is done correctly.
Thanks. I guess that might be my solution.

As i am trying to fix this issue, I noticed that the various files were installed inside a template folder like this:
includes/languages/english/extra_definitions/cc
instead of the
includes/languages/english/extra_definitions
only. I am now wondering if that is the proper installation (as there is no indication in the readme file) and maybe that would explain why it was not working properly. At the same time, i want to install it correctly if it was not in the first place.

Thanks.

Not sure what you mean by various files. There is one file in extra_definitions called

./languages/english/extra_definitions/mailchimp_sidebox_defines.php

You could customize this and put it in

./languages/english/extra_definitions/YOUR_TEMPLATE/mailchimp_sidebox_defines.php

Yes, I guess that was my question. Since the readme file didn't refer to placing those files in the TEMPLATE folder, I was not sure if they should be there or not. You say I "can customize it", but my question is "should I or shouldn't I?"

You are free to do it. It's fine.

Remember that any folder with a "classic" subfolder is template aware, and any file that goes there can go into a template subfolder if you wish.

OK. I might be doing something wrong because it is not working. I tested with someone creating an account, having the box checked for the Newsletter, BUT there was no confirmation email from MailChimp. The only email received was from Zencart, explaining what they can expect in the store.

I reviewed all the instructions in the readme file, edited all the files, adjusted all the settings in the backend. In fact, I just had to check everything because everything was already correct. Any suggestion where else to look for a fault?

I describe this as a "moderate to difficult" mod to install on the help page. You're welcome to review the help and review the list of common problems at https://www.thatsoftwareguy.com/zencart_mailchimp.html#installation_problems but you might need someone to do this for you.

CaroleAs:

As i am trying to fix this issue, I noticed that the various files were installed inside a template folder like this:
includes/languages/english/extra_definitions/cc
instead of the
includes/languages/english/extra_definitions
only. I am now wondering if that is the proper installation (as there is no indication in the readme file) and maybe that would explain why it was not working properly. At the same time, i want to install it correctly if it was not in the first place.

Thanks.

Nope, that is not correct. The ReadMe included with the plugin contains installation instructions.

I know that if a user subscribes with the side box, they will get a confirmation email from MC. That is now working fine for me.

When a user creates an account and checks the checkbox for the newsletter, are they supposed to ALSO get a confirmation email from MC or does the information automatically populate to MC to add the user to the list?

CaroleAs:

I know that if a user subscribes with the side box, they will get a confirmation email from MC. That is now working fine for me.Yes, that's normal, because they're choosing to sign up to the newsletter list directly.

CaroleAs:

When a user creates an account and checks the checkbox for the newsletter, are they supposed to ALSO get a confirmation email from MC or does the information automatically populate to MC to add the user to the list?
No, you're adding them to MC via an API call, which assumes you've already verified permission to subscribe ... that's between you and the customer.
Similarly, if you log in to MC and add a subscriber manually, they won't receive an email ... the fine-print on the screen reminds you that it's up to you to verify that you have permission to add them. Same concept.

DrByte:

No, you're adding them to MC via an API call, which assumes you've already verified permission to subscribe ... that's between you and the customer.

Thanks. That is good then. Half of it is working as it should (the sidebox).
Now, to get the name from the "account creation" into MC. That is still not working. Rechecking things again. I must be missing just a detail.

DrByte:

No, you're adding them to MC via an API call, which assumes you've already verified permission to subscribe ... that's between you and the customer.

To clarify, this is not how it works. I call the API with status pending, which does require an opt-in.