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Steps to enter product in the Avactis Shopping Cart
For those of us working with this cart these steps become over simplified.For the Avactis cart beginner what you do to enter your product can be somewhat overwhelming. This cart if fully featured and has far more than I will demonstrate here. These are the basics to simply give you a start. This tutorial is an ordered step by step. I use this method myself because it saves me time. I feel it will do the same for you.
Time saving tips: First set up your product images. Using Photoshop (or any other image software) start with a large image (cropped to 400px up to 550px high).
WARNING: Personally when I visit a site and click larger image I want to see product up close and personal. I will leave a site immediately if the close up is also thumbnail size. In this day and age there is no reason to be skimpy on large images for your pop up larger image pictures. Today the competition is far to great to be shy in displaying your product adequately.
Once the image is cropped to the large size, it is "saved for web" (a Photoshop function) and named like this: yourimage1-lg.gif (or whatever file extension you choose) it is then resized to thumbnail and "saved for web" using yourimage-sm.gif. All of these images are saved in a folder together for ease of entering into products part of the cart later.
1. How to enter product type.
Start with product type section. If you are creative with this section in the future it will save you a lot of time. Select the features that apply to that category type and fill in all sections that will be the same in each product (you can eventually have as many product types that suit your need).
Choose the Catalog tab and then select Manage Product Types.
This will bring you to the place where you can set all of the parameters you want for your product. I am using quilt blocks from a friends cart to demonstrate how to set things up for the least number if entries in each product itself.
After you click the add new type button you will be taken to an area where you can designate the features you want for this particular product.
I am using the one we set up for the quilt squares to demonstrate how much you can enter to save time re-entering it at the product level.
The 2 images below are the top and bottom part of the form. Check the items you want for the product and uncheck the items you do not need. As you can see from this filled in form we did not need all of the features allowed. The standard description and the meta tags were all entered because each square has the same details. All this cart owner has to do is add the name of her product, her small and large photo and save. Pretty fast and simple.
The middle part of the form was left out because it was a long expanse of detail entries.
Click save and you are ready for the next step.
After you save notice your new product type has joined your list.
Your next step is to manage categories. You will click that button at the left as shown above.
Choose the Catalog tab and then select Manage Product Types.
This will bring you to the place where you can set all of the parameters you want for your product. I am using quilt blocks from a friends cart to demonstrate how to set things up for the least number if entries in each product itself.
After you click the add new type button you will be taken to an area where you can designate the features you want for this particular product.
I am using the one we set up for the quilt squares to demonstrate how much you can enter to save time re-entering it at the product level.
The 2 images below are the top and bottom part of the form. Check the items you want for the product and uncheck the items you do not need. As you can see from this filled in form we did not need all of the features allowed. The standard description and the meta tags were all entered because each square has the same details. All this cart owner has to do is add the name of her product, her small and large photo and save. Pretty fast and simple.
The middle part of the form was left out because it was a long expanse of detail entries.
Click save and you are ready for the next step.
After you save notice your new product type has joined your list.
Your next step is to manage categories. You will click that button at the left as shown above.
2. How to create and manage categories.
This is where you will name the categories for your product.
These are also the navigation links at the left side of your cart.
Again this cart is fully featured and there is probably far more than you will need. So I am keeping it basic because this cart owner only needed the basics. However she also needed a fully functioning powerful cart to meet the expanding needs of her growing business.
The above window will have all of the categories that were default in your cart (you can change the ones there or simply start adding your new ones then delete the flowers examples later). I like adding my own and then deleting the examples later. So click add category button at the bottom.
You will name your category and can fill in the other information. Notice the little plus signs toward the bottom. Clicking them will open those options for you to enter information there if you choose. This window is fairly self explanatory.
When you are done click save and your new category will then appear in your list.
These are also the navigation links at the left side of your cart.
Again this cart is fully featured and there is probably far more than you will need. So I am keeping it basic because this cart owner only needed the basics. However she also needed a fully functioning powerful cart to meet the expanding needs of her growing business.
The above window will have all of the categories that were default in your cart (you can change the ones there or simply start adding your new ones then delete the flowers examples later). I like adding my own and then deleting the examples later. So click add category button at the bottom.
You will name your category and can fill in the other information. Notice the little plus signs toward the bottom. Clicking them will open those options for you to enter information there if you choose. This window is fairly self explanatory.
When you are done click save and your new category will then appear in your list.
3. How to enter product into your cart.
After you click save you will be brought back to this window and at the left you will click the "manage products" link.
At this window you click the "add product" button.
When the add product window opens at the top of the window you will find the "select product type" area. Click the drop down arrow and find your category. In this case we use "art quilt squares".
As soon as you click your choice the page will change to what you have selected for your particular product type.
The next image shows the form where we enter our product information. Recall back when we set up our product type. In this case you can see all of our information has been entered from the information we set up in our product type. We only have to enter the name of the product, and our 2 images (large and small). Our work back then shortened our work time now by a considerable amount.
When you are finished with this product if you have more to enter click the "save and add another" button ... if you are done simply click the "save" button.
I have found it is much easier to add all product from one category before you move it to its final destination. You will see why in the next section on moving your product.
At this window you click the "add product" button.
When the add product window opens at the top of the window you will find the "select product type" area. Click the drop down arrow and find your category. In this case we use "art quilt squares".
As soon as you click your choice the page will change to what you have selected for your particular product type.
The next image shows the form where we enter our product information. Recall back when we set up our product type. In this case you can see all of our information has been entered from the information we set up in our product type. We only have to enter the name of the product, and our 2 images (large and small). Our work back then shortened our work time now by a considerable amount.
When you are finished with this product if you have more to enter click the "save and add another" button ... if you are done simply click the "save" button.
I have found it is much easier to add all product from one category before you move it to its final destination. You will see why in the next section on moving your product.
4. Moving product from one place to another.
Now that you have entered all of your product you want to move it around. This us a pretty simple task with the avactis shopping cart. Go into your "product management" under the quick links at the left side of your admin window. The window below is an example of what you will see. You can select only certain items to move by checking them one by one or you can move all products by clicking the little square at the top of the column which will then select the whole list.
Next click your move button at the top of the window or the bottom. A small window will pop open and you click the category where you want your product to go then click the move button at the bottom and like magic all of those products will be sent to that selected category.
Next click your move button at the top of the window or the bottom. A small window will pop open and you click the category where you want your product to go then click the move button at the bottom and like magic all of those products will be sent to that selected category.
5. How to sort product.
Sorting your product in a certain order is also simple. Just keep in mind how your product display is set up. You may have 3 columns in a row or perhaps 2. Your rows can be infinite. What you are doing is moving product selections up or down the rows of entered product.
Click your sort button. A window will pop open and you select your product you want to move up or down in the order of things.
When your ordered list is like you want it simply click save and all of your product will be moved into the order you have chosen in your cart visible by your customer..
Click your sort button. A window will pop open and you select your product you want to move up or down in the order of things.
When your ordered list is like you want it simply click save and all of your product will be moved into the order you have chosen in your cart visible by your customer..
6. Adjusting the number of rows displayed on the product page.
If you want to control the number of default rows of product images on the customer pages. Here is how you do it.
Go into your admin area and select "store settings" at the top of the window.
A new window will open and you will select the "general settings" link. When the new window opens scroll down to the sections called "Paginators in Admin Area" and "Paginators in Storefront".
Both sections behave the same. If you want to add a new amount simply do so in the new value area and click the little arrow at the left of it. If you want to remove a value simply highlight it in the list and click the (X) for delete. You might want to keep in mind 2 things. 1. How many products you have in each row 2, 3 or 4. How many rows in those increments you want displayed.
2. This is a drop down box for the customer. You are setting the default by clicking the number you want as default in the bottom drop down box. But on the customers browser he can change it to any you have listed. It is probably a good idea to allow the customer the option to choose. If you have chosen 30 thumbs on a page and he only wants 10 at a time and he has no option it might bother him enough to leave.
Once you have those parameters set the way you want simply save.
One last thing you might want to remember. In order to see your admin changes in your cart you will have to close your browser window and reopen to your page to the cart. I have had pretty good luck at simply refreshing my browser page. I say pretty good luck because sometimes that does not work. Perhaps I should feel fortunate it does when it is not suppose to work that way. :)
Go into your admin area and select "store settings" at the top of the window.
A new window will open and you will select the "general settings" link. When the new window opens scroll down to the sections called "Paginators in Admin Area" and "Paginators in Storefront".
Both sections behave the same. If you want to add a new amount simply do so in the new value area and click the little arrow at the left of it. If you want to remove a value simply highlight it in the list and click the (X) for delete. You might want to keep in mind 2 things. 1. How many products you have in each row 2, 3 or 4. How many rows in those increments you want displayed.
2. This is a drop down box for the customer. You are setting the default by clicking the number you want as default in the bottom drop down box. But on the customers browser he can change it to any you have listed. It is probably a good idea to allow the customer the option to choose. If you have chosen 30 thumbs on a page and he only wants 10 at a time and he has no option it might bother him enough to leave.
Once you have those parameters set the way you want simply save.
One last thing you might want to remember. In order to see your admin changes in your cart you will have to close your browser window and reopen to your page to the cart. I have had pretty good luck at simply refreshing my browser page. I say pretty good luck because sometimes that does not work. Perhaps I should feel fortunate it does when it is not suppose to work that way. :)
7. Adding product to a category already created.
When you get in admin ... click the manage products link at the left side under the quick links heading.
Click the browse categories button at the top ... that will open another window with all of your categories displayed. At the bottom of the list you will see special offers (1) ... click that and it will highlight ... then click the go button at the bottom of that window.
NOTE:
Note right under the tabs you will see this:
Catalog>>Manage Products
Then a blue band that says:
Current
Category:Home>>Special Offers
This will always tell you where you are when adding/editing something
In here you will see the one product we added ... you now click the add product button.
From there you simply add your products you want in this category.
You do not have to move the product because it is in the correct category.
Click the browse categories button at the top ... that will open another window with all of your categories displayed. At the bottom of the list you will see special offers (1) ... click that and it will highlight ... then click the go button at the bottom of that window.
NOTE:
Note right under the tabs you will see this:
Catalog>>Manage Products
Then a blue band that says:
Current
Category:Home>>Special Offers
This will always tell you where you are when adding/editing something
In here you will see the one product we added ... you now click the add product button.
From there you simply add your products you want in this category.
You do not have to move the product because it is in the correct category.
8. Setting up postage for flat rate fee.
As a lampwork bead artist I have set up my postage in this format. Understand the Avactis Shopping Cart is quite fully functioned. There are many ways to set up shipping you will have to discover them on your own. You can also check out the instructions at Avactis.
First I determined how much each bead weighed on average. I realized I could easily send 10 focal beads in one package so if a customer purchased 10 beads it did not cost more than a single bead. I then determined if someone purchased $100 at a time I would pay the shipping. My handling was for padded envelopes, boxes, bubble pack, and tape. That was an average some supplies are free from USPS and others are not.
Once in your store admin you go to store settings.
When the store settings window opens click on the "shipping settings method". A new window will open.
This is where you control your shipping amounts. Next you will click on the "edit settings" button. A new window will open allowing you to enter or edit the shipping settings.
I have yet to figure out the logic behind how this is done or why. The entries you see above work for my set of rules. Each order is charged a standard of $5.60 for shipping (usps priority mail at $4.60) plus $1 for handling. If the order goes over the $100 then there is no shipping or handling fee.
NOTE:
For some reason if you add an amount into the "per order shipping fee" it will add that amount on top of the actual shipping cost.
Below you will see the explanation of this fee structure (found if you click the little ? beside each entry).
When finished in this area click the "save" button.
If you want to ship internationally then you activate the "Priority Mail (US) Standard (International)" link.
You add places in the world you will ship to by adding them into the zone marked below. Use the little drop down arrow to select your country and put in the information to each entry area then click add. Your rule will then be added to your list.
Make sure you have filled in the "method name" and checked the "active"
When finished click the "save" button.
Last thing. Check to make sure your newly created shipping method is visible in this area before you save and close out the window.
Thank You! to pineridgeartisans.com for the use of their admin to make these tutorials :)
First I determined how much each bead weighed on average. I realized I could easily send 10 focal beads in one package so if a customer purchased 10 beads it did not cost more than a single bead. I then determined if someone purchased $100 at a time I would pay the shipping. My handling was for padded envelopes, boxes, bubble pack, and tape. That was an average some supplies are free from USPS and others are not.
Once in your store admin you go to store settings.
When the store settings window opens click on the "shipping settings method". A new window will open.
This is where you control your shipping amounts. Next you will click on the "edit settings" button. A new window will open allowing you to enter or edit the shipping settings.
I have yet to figure out the logic behind how this is done or why. The entries you see above work for my set of rules. Each order is charged a standard of $5.60 for shipping (usps priority mail at $4.60) plus $1 for handling. If the order goes over the $100 then there is no shipping or handling fee.
NOTE:
For some reason if you add an amount into the "per order shipping fee" it will add that amount on top of the actual shipping cost.
Below you will see the explanation of this fee structure (found if you click the little ? beside each entry).
When finished in this area click the "save" button.
If you want to ship internationally then you activate the "Priority Mail (US) Standard (International)" link.
You add places in the world you will ship to by adding them into the zone marked below. Use the little drop down arrow to select your country and put in the information to each entry area then click add. Your rule will then be added to your list.
Make sure you have filled in the "method name" and checked the "active"
When finished click the "save" button.
Last thing. Check to make sure your newly created shipping method is visible in this area before you save and close out the window.
