Ten Steps to Setting up Ecommerce
Related Links: Ecommerce Overview | Displaying your Catalog
The Steps | Examples
The Steps
Step 1 - Plan and Organize All Product Information
Step 2 - Add Items
Step 3 - Add Packages & Item Groups
Step 4 - Add Categories and Subcategories
Step 5 - Add Items, Item Groups, and Packages to Categories
Step 6 - Set up Global Rules
Step 7 - Set Up Payment Methods and Ecommerce Options
Step 8 - Create and Customize a Shopping Cart Page
Step 9 - Create and Customize a Catalog Page
Step 10 - Publish the Web site, and update the catalog images
Step 1. Plan and Organize All Product Information
- Before beginning to set up Ecommerce through the online software, plan and organize all items, categories, subcategories, groups, and packages. Determine any special shipping methods, shipping rules, special item discounts, and item handling charges.
Step 2. Add Items
- Add items (upload product images and define any package options in this step ) - Add all products and product components to be used in the catalog
- Select shipping options - Define shipping methods and any special shipping rules
- Package options - All items used in product packages must first have at least one package option defined
- Package options are always defined at the time an item is added, or by editing the item.
- Discount options - Define any special discounts associated with products
- Inventory - Activate inventory control and specify beginning stock on hand
Step 3. Add Packages & Item Groups
- Packages
- Item Groups
- Products to be used in Item Groups must already exist as items
Step 4. Add Categories and Subcategories
- Categories and subcategories are used to organize the online catalog by product type, brand, or any other organized system which allows customers to easily find products
Step 5. Add Items, Item Groups, and Packages to Categories
- Add all products to be used in the catalog into their respective categories
Step 6. Set up Global Rules
Step 7. Set Up Payment Methods and Ecommerce Options
Step 8. Create and Customize a Shopping Cart Page
Step 9. Create and Customize a Catalog Page
Step 10. Publish the Web site, and update the catalog images
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Product Examples
Item Examples
Item Group Example
Package Examples
Express Order Form Example
Item Examples
Use items in the online catalog when the products for sale are offered as single items. Once items are added to categories, customers will be able to browse the product catalog by category, click on the item they wish to purchase, and add it to the shopping cart.
[ Click for an example of a category that contains two items for sale ]
[ Click for an example of an item page with an add to cart button ]
Use an item to collect donations or to allow customers to pay for services. With variable pricing, donors can enter the exact amount to pay. In the example below, both the quantity and "unit" of measure have been disabled.
[ Click for an example of an item used to collect donations ]
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Item Group Example
An Item Group is a group of products organized for quick access. All products will be available on one page via a drop-down menu. When a customer selects a new product from the drop-down menu, the page will automatically refresh. The selected item's details will then be displayed, allowing a customer to purchase that item or select a different item from the menu.
[ Click for an example of an Item Group ]
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Package Examples
A package is an item with at least one subset ("package option groups") of items that are provided as purchase options. A customer can choose to purchase a package, then select which options to include. The price of the final product is calculated based on a customer's choices. For a step-by-step walkthrough on creating a package, click here for more information.
[ Click for an example of Package Options for a floral arrangement ]
[ Click for an example of the Main Package Option Area ]
[ Click for an example of the Package Options Area ]
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Express Order Form Example
An express order form is useful when customers often order many different items. An express order form provides a method to present any or all products on one page. A customer can then go down the list, enter the quantity to purchase for any desired products, and click the "add to cart" button at the bottom of the page. The "add to cart" button will then send all items to be purchased to the shopping cart.
[ Click for an Example of an Express Order Form ]
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E-commerce Overview
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![[ Click for an example of a category that contains two items for sale ]](javascript:doit('ecommerce_example_itemcategory1.gif',540,303);){kind=link}
![[ Click for an example of an item page with an add to cart button ]](javascript:doit('ecommerce_example_itempage.gif',493,317);){kind=link}
![[ Click for an example of an item used to collect donations ]](javascript:doit('ecommerce_example_donation.gif',535,200);){kind=link}
![[ Click for an example of an Item Group ]](javascript:doit('ecommerce_example_itemgroup.gif',450,199);){kind=link}
![[ Click for an example of Package Options for a floral arrangement ]](javascript:doit('ecommerce_example_package2.gif',539,375);){kind=link}
![[ Click for an example of the Main Package Option Area ]](javascript:doit('ecommerce_example_package3a.gif',540,329);){kind=link}
![[ Click for an example of the Package Options Area ]](javascript:doit('ecommerce_example_package3c.gif',522,388);){kind=link}
![[ Click for an Example of an Express Order Form ]](javascript:doit('ecommerce_example_express.gif',530,318);){kind=link}