Help.... Anybody use Zen Cart before??

ghostbaits · #1 (**permalink**) January 5th, 2007

I am going to change up my shopping cart and was told to try Zen Cart. It is FREE and heard it was easy to use... Just not for me I guess!!

Any tips as I have been able to unzip the files but I am stuck there. I don't want to upload it to my webserver until it is ready to go.

Feel free to tell me what to do on this one...

Jim

dampeoples · #2 (**permalink**) January 5th, 2007

The setup is web based, you can go through the motions, then change the base file extension so your old site still loads while you set it up, I would think.

redg8r · #3 (**permalink**) January 5th, 2007

Yeah the setup is web based, but theres requirements to meet before you can use the software.

Basic requirements are:
Minimum/suggested server requirements: PHP 4.3.2 or higher (PHP 4.4.x for optimal performance), Apache 1.3.x and MySQL 3.2.x or higher. Register Globals may be on or off, safe_mode off recommended.
NOTE: Many shipping and payment modules require cURL to be installed/compiled with php.
NOTE: Support for https may be required depending on the payment methods being accepted. The use of SSL during account creation and checkout is recommended.
PHP5 is not officially supported by Zen Cart at the present time; however, many shopowners are successfully running their shops on servers using PHP5.
MySQL 4.1.x uses an encryption scheme that is not 100% supported by PHP4, so may not work with Zen Cart unless you are using PHP5 ... which of course is not officially supported by Zen Cart yet.

You'll need a FTP program to transfer the files to your server, because doing it web-based would be like slow suicide.

You'll also need a liscensed API registered at usps.com to use usps weight based shipping quotes.

You'll need a shared or dedicated ssl certificate to run in https (secure server) mode. Its not necessary unless you plan to process cards with a merchant account such as authorize.net, for example.

Paypal is the easiest to use, so to use your paypal account, youll need to adjust your IPN (instant payment notification) settings in your account.

My opinion, installing is the easy part, setting it up to run & tweaking the layout is the tough part. Zencart & OScommerce alike have made progress to web based layout of the cart, but you'll still need to tweak many files by hand & passing them back & forth via FTP.

For installing, check you host to see if they offer "Fantastico" which is a server system thats capable of auto installing dozens of popular scripts, including zencart & about 4-5 other open source carts, thats the easiest way.

Otherwise, check the files you extracted from the zip & look for documentation like "readme.txt" or install.html & follow those instructions.

Dont mean to scare ya, Zencart is a great open source cart, I've installed many, Bobstackleshack was the latest.

If you run into any snags, email me.

ghostbaits · #4 (**permalink**) January 5th, 2007

Yeah...that is what their direction say as well. But you have to load it to a local web server if you want to use it before upload. I just have MS Frontpage and I am not sure that will work as a local webserver.

Jim

After reading all that...I think I will just stick with what I have!!! I don't have enough time to invest right now!!! Bob's site does look good though!!!

Maybe someone else can recommend a shopping cart software that is less complicated. I think paypal fees are eating me up (around $40-50/month now) and would like to offer cc payment without paypal. Flat rate for a month looks good...

redg8r · #5 (**permalink**) January 5th, 2007

No, a local webserver isnt needed, you just have to download the package to your PC & unzip it before you upload it to your production server, the only way around that is to get the package as a tarball (.tar) & unzip it from your servers command line, but unzipping & uploading thru FTP works fine, its just a large package & takes time.

The software is in my opinion enterprise level, it has tons of features & settings & can handle a large catalog. once its setup correctly, its pretty simple to operate.

Paypal cuts are a little high, but merchant accounts arent cheap either, you need a steady sales flow in order to justify the costs, some account providers require a certain level of sales each month or you get penalized for slow sales.

I pay 20$ a month to use paypals virtual terminal for face-to-face & phone order sales & use all thier other online services thats bundled in with the account.

I'm not very familiar with most cookie cutter solutions that offer carts, checkout, shipping & payments options, but I think theres one out there fishingworld.com that MF & some other guys use, I've found no info on thier hosting service though.

Who do you host with right now?
best bang for your buck would be to find a host that offers preinstalled carts, I'd offer you some space on TU's machine, but I dont wanna get laughed out of the thread

ghostbaits · #6 (**permalink**) January 5th, 2007

I host with gate.com right now.. $7.95/month and they have lots of statisical reports for page views etc. Not to bad I guess.

With eBay going up on their fees, I figured paypal would follow suit soon. If you sell an item on eBay and some one uses paypal to pay, you have paid out at least 6% in fees or more!!! Hard to keep the pricing down. Hmmm...wonder if those fees are tax deductible!!!!

Jim

nova · #7 (**permalink**) January 5th, 2007

Don't know about the US Jim; but in Canada any cost of doing business is deductable. Can't see why it would be any different there.

www.novalures.com

redg8r · #8 (**permalink**) January 5th, 2007

I shouldve said........ there are more payment options than paypal, Paypal is the most prevalent & yeah, being owned by ebay, they have alot of weight to throw around & usually do follow suit.

Looking into the default zencart settings, Linkpoint, authorize.net & paypal are the default payment modules, but I know the zencart community has others available, like moneybookers, billme, clickbank, among others.

I know zencart doesnt offer a demo, so if you wanna test drive it, let me know & I'll setup a store for you to toy around on.

Note to members, this is not connected to the tackleunderground site, so no hatemail. ~smile~

ghostbaits · #9 (**permalink**) January 5th, 2007

Thanks Red!!!! Whenever you want to set one up...no rush for sure!! I'll check it out!! I am still thinking I need something in addition to paypal to take cc's...

Maybe I should just go back to taking checks and money orders.. No fees!!!!

Jim

millsryno · #10 (**permalink**) January 6th, 2007

Jim, just another idea for you... but your prices are more than fair. You have very good pricing. I think everything is priced below what somebody could get comprable at a store for and your baits are better.

You could easily increase your prices 3% to offset your costs. On a $3 bag of baits that is only 9 cents. You will still be out the $.30 per transaction, but I don't think you would lose any sales by upping your prices 3% and not have to pay that.

Anyway, just a thought!!