New jewelry site looking for advice

Hi all,

I'm looking to bring a web presence for my family's jewelry store and have tried incorporating a custom template into zen cart, http://gregs.phpgeek.org

Unfortunately this was quite difficult to do, so I am going to just get an already made template from template monster modified and ready to go. I believe the product is more important than the design, and if I see I can make a few bucks, I'll reinvest the money back into getting a custom job done.

Anyway, I was hoping any of the existing store owners, especially jewelry store folks, give me some advice for making my store successful. I'm more of a technical guy who focuses on programming and networks. My father is the jeweler. We're teaming up and although we're not looking to get rich, we do hope to do ok with Zen Cart.

Thanks again all, can't wait to start. My book is on its way as well.

Have you read the threads here about Template Monster? Their templates are beautiful, but if you want to change anything from the way it comes as standard, it may be very difficult. TM disables a number of standard admin functions you will find mentioned in the book, too. Much of the advice you will find here will not be applicable to TM templates without significant recoding.
If you are ok with that, go ahead and use a TM template as a stopgap.

Darn, what should be done then if the ones from template-monster are no good? I was thinking of modifying this:

templatemonster.com/zen-cart-templates/14962.html

I'm actually paranoid of making a purchase now. Really wanted to get this show on the road, but I don't want any features removed because of a template purchase.

Look around for templates you like, then check here to see if there is any discussion of the maker.

Also look at the regular posters here - some of them design templates, and may have premade ones available.

There are some good generic templates available for free in Downloads, and modifying one of them to your taste may be practical. People here can and will help with that.
(See (sorry, site offline) for live test drives.)

Thanks, I'm going to have to do some more research instead of just purchasing the one I originally wanted. I have a great designer ready to modify an existing template -- but after searching 'template monster', I see a lot of folks running into difficulty. Quite scary.

Argh, this is not as simple as one would like it to be. :-)

stevefink:

Thanks, I'm going to have to do some more research instead of just purchasing the one I originally wanted. I have a great designer ready to modify an existing template -- but after searching 'template monster', I see a lot of folks running into difficulty. Quite scary.

Argh, this is not as simple as one would like it to be. :-)

hi
i have read your difficulties. i can do wat ever you want... jus pm me