Archive for the ‘Ecommerce’ category

Zen Cart Upgrade – do it now unless…

April 26th, 2010

It’s been a while since the last big upgrade so decisioning time is here again and as usual it’s a bit of a mine field.

Since there are a number of core changes and a few template changes in the 1.3.9a upgrade, research and preparation is definitely key to a smooth and successful upgrade.

First of all, templates: have you made changes to the login_default or shopping cart templates? Those are the most likely sources of problems with the templates but there are changed to 10 main templates and 8 sidebox templates.  One important template changes is the common/htm_header.php template.  It’s rare to change that template but whatever changes might have occurred in the file are going to be very important to your site (or should be).

So if you’ve done the template overrides correctly, your changed templates will not be upgraded and you could find things no longer work (that shopping cart change is important folks) or your site may be left vulnerable.

Once you’ve checked those templates, look at what mods you have installed. Any of the SEO url mods will not work. Someone is going to have to upgrade those but upgrades may be a long time coming. Decide now whether you want to keep them or not.  If you do, stop reading now!

Using any of the Fast and Easy  Login or Checkout Modules? He’s not supporting any checkout but the paid Ajax version so those are highly unlikely to get upgraded.  (He still lists the FE login on his site but do not know his plans to upgrade that one.)

He has already upgraded his paid Ajax version – I suspect spending the money for that is worth it at this point.  I like the mod but find few clients who will pay the $75.  http://www.numinix.com/zen-cart-modules/template-modifications/fast-and-easy-ajax-checkout-for-zen-cart

The offline credit card payment module has been removed in this version in a stab at PCI compliance.  So if you install the new version and not upgrade, it’s gone. There is a mod for that however! And using this mod does work for pci compliance.  If you have to explain it to your merchant processor, be sure to let them know that the full credit card number is not stored anywhere on your site nor is it sent thru email.  Ceon Manual Card: http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?main_page=product_contrib_info&products_id=1277  (I don’t know if it works with this version but I’m expecting it to.)

If you are upgrading only, your offline credit card will still be there. Test it out to be sure it still works properly.  If not or if you develop problems with it, install the Ceon Manual Card instead.

One little extra piece of advice: cleanup! The upgrade does away with the old patch files for the last version.  There are blank files included in the upgrade by the same name but  delete them instead.  Tidy up!

Here’s the full change log for this version: http://zencart.deliawilsondesign.com/changelog-v1-3-9.html

Stay tuned.  More information for this Zen Cart upgrade is coming!

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The Good News about Zen Cart Hacks

January 21st, 2010

Hacked Zen Carts started appearing after the powers that be at Zen Cart announced some patches last year.  A newly vulnerability was discovered that has led to cart hacking after it was announced!

The one that has caused so many problems simply inserts php code into the images folder and that code usually just needs removing and your cart can be restored to working order.

If you are a Zen Cart owner and you are not subscribed to the announcements thread or your web person doesn’t inform you of the necessity of certain patches, subscribe today!  Otherwise, you are just inviting problems.

So the good news is if you stay on top of what’s happening, you won’t get hacked!  The Zen Cart support community is very proactive and fixes problems before they become problems.  That’s one of the reasons I use Zen and one of the reasons my hosting customers with Zen Carts have so few problems. I watch out for them!

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The 10 Keys to Ecommerce Success

November 1st, 2009

I can’t begin to tell you how many times someone has come to me or I have seen a request for an online shop. Sometimes they actually say, “I want to have a web shop and make money” and don’t even know what they sell.

Other times someone comes up with a brainy idea: “I want a site like VistaPrint”. My question, “Do you have the designs and the ability to print?” Answer, “No, can’t you do that for us?” (For very little money!)

Let’s talk about the realities of e-commerce.

  1. Your site must be believable – seem real. Have a customer service number visible on all pages. Have a physical address posted on your contact page.
  2. It must be easily navigable. Put categories, shopping cart, my account, shipping and contact us links on every page.
  3. Make it obvious what you sell. Design like Amazon.com and you’ll never sell.  Amazon uses direct emails to entice customers to different areas of the site.  They know their site is actually overwhelming.  Design for few like or themed products .
  4. State your privacy policy simply and up front – preferably on the page where customers have to enter their info.  Most sites do not need the policy written by lawyers. Do you give or sell your email list? Do you ever sell or give away other customer information like mailing addresses or phone numbers?
  5. Make your product descriptions as detailed as possible with appropriate pictures.  I never ordered the office phone I wanted because I couldn’t find the info I wanted – what type of incoming ports on the back of a 2 line phone? No pics, no info, no sale.
  6. Make sure your products are delivered quickly or else tell the customer before they order how long it might be til they arrive.  Too many sites ship immediately and customers are getting used to it.
  7. Use newsletters to keep your customers interested – featured product of the week, latest sale, exciting new site features. (Please, it must be exciting and really interesting to the customer, not just a marketing ploy.)
  8. Make it easy on yourself – a good site admin to manage your store easily is imperative for your sanity.
  9. Site search! Make sure your product titles and descriptions are searchable; make it easy for your customers to find what you want.  Refer back to number 5 to do it right.
  10. Security, security, security.  Using a reputable on line processor and a secured cart is the first step.  Then explain to your customer that you don’t keep their credit card information, ever, unless given permission to do so.  Small carts should never, ever, keep this info on the website. Any cart has the possibility of being hacked!
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