Thread

Hello everyone! We’ve got an e-commerce site coming up in May and been doing some searching on carts. I’m avoiding Magento altogether (long story)and Zen Cart is a high possibility. However, I’ve read about ecommercetemplates.com a few times here and was hoping to get some insights from those of you who have used it.

From what I can tell, it seems pretty straightforward - you set up a database, use their generic template and stick their includes anywhere you need / want in your html/php files (EE templates?) and you’re pretty much good to go. Am I missing something? What’s the code like that gets spit out from the includes?

thanks!
.angie

Also consider foxycart.com—sounds like a similar idea, where you use their code on your templates. Might be somewhat neater though.

Hi .angie,

When I recommend e-commerce software to my clients I recommend CS-Cart. I have tried, built and deployed my own OS-Commerce, Zen-Cart and the like, but CS-Cart has proved to be the most cost effective.

I am running millions of dollars through this software and will continue to do so until the next generation of e-commerce comes to life.

Here is a link to one of my custom CS-Cart solutions: http://www.olgasdayspa1.com

As you can see it has the ability to be customized and has a built in CMS -  plus a lot more features.

Be cautious though, It is based on the SMARTY template system and has its quirks. It is not for beginners. There is a big divide between WYSIWYG products and Professional, reliable systems.

I hope this helps

Smarty? Yikes, no. I went with EE in part to escape Smarty hell, no way I’d return there.

Aggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhh,

I feel like I’m taking a very long walk off a very short pier!!!

I’m just like Ingmar in this respect that Smarty is definitely not very smart at all!

I think some of the carts and things like cool commerce are really quite a nice option in the inter-rim so would suggest that they are probably the best to go with. Having to style everything all over again would just make my head spin uncontrollably until it fell off I think!! 😉

I have to say though that what you have done with the http://www.olgasdayspa1.com is really nice Mr Hahn (sorry don’t know your first name 😉 )

Best wishes,

Mark

@slapshotw: Yeah, I’ve looked at FoxyCart. It seems great but it’s subscription-based. Don’t get me wrong - $15/mo is low. But even so, some clients don’t want more on-going expenses with their cart than they already have to (such as payment gateways).

@Mr. Hahn: I’ve taken a couple peeks at CS Cart. Doesn’t look too bad. I’m somewhat familiar with Smarty but not involved with them enough to have an opinion one way or another.

Since posting the original message I kept looking around and even re-read some threads here. One other that’s been mentioned at least once or twice is Avactis. I downloaded it, installed it and started customizing it right away. So far I’m liking it - anyone have thoughts on it?

Thanks for the compliment Mark,

In regards to SMARTY - I’m no big fan either.

Having to style everything all over again would just make my head spin uncontrollably until it fell off I think!!

LOL, I couldn’t agree more! Sometimes I question why I torture myself. Ingmar, If EE had the capabilities to handle full e-commerce then this would be a no-brainer. But it doesn’t, yet.

I looked at Avactis and it seems pretty clean. Looks like another Zen cart/OSComm copy. I did not down load it or anything, but from looking at their user manual it seems their Tagging system would lead to problems. I’d like to know how easy you feel the customization is.

Either way, as I stated this is the kind of abuse we have to put up with until the next generation of E-Commerce software comes out. Which is pretty close, I have seen several threads here that point out some good products that are still in Beta, hopefully EE 2.0 will eventually include a robust e-commerce solution.

Mike

Looks like another Zen cart/OSComm copy.

Really? I didn’t get that at all (which is partly why I got interested in it).

from looking at their user manual it seems their Tagging system would lead to problems.

How so? Not that I’m defending it or anything - just want to get a different perspective. So far customization has been pretty easy. Granted, I’ve only gotten as far as the main page in the demo download. These pesky client projects keep getting in my way of playing with stuff. 😊

The only thing I’m not liking about CS Cart is the admin interface. A bit cluttered for my taste. But… I really wouldn’t be the one using it so I might be able to deal with it.

Either way, as I stated this is the kind of abuse we have to put up with until the next generation of E-Commerce software comes out. Which is pretty close, I have seen several threads here that point out some good products that are still in Beta, hopefully EE 2.0 will eventually include a robust e-commerce solution.

Sad but true. I’ve purposely put off going after e-commerce clients because of this.

The only thing I’m not liking about CS Cart is the admin interface.

I agree and have had similar comments from clients. But it is very functional.

I guess I am just talking smack because I have not looked at the source for Avactise, but I was referring to the fact that they are using “blocks” etc… to form their pages. To do a full redesign like I have done with CS-Cart seems like it would not be any easier with their system.

Let me know how it works out, I am always interested in new software. The true test is when you load it up and and have 5,000 hits a day over the holidays. I know from experience that CS-Cart can handle it and others can’t. Unfortunately I have learned the hard way.

The true test is when you load it up and and have 5,000 hits a day over the holidays.

Yikes… Good to know that CS-Cart can handle it. Will definitely keep that in mind. I will likely give Avactis a try unless I run into some huge snafu in customizing it.

Until then I sure hope EE’s full e-commerce module is out by end of year. (May be wishful thinking… 😊)

I inherited a site with ecommerce templates.
It works, it’s not bad, it’s not great. Though I can’t say I’ve used any that I’m in love with.
Adding their code to custom pages is pretty straight forward.

James

I inherited a site with ecommerce templates.
It works, it’s not bad, it’s not great. Though I can’t say I’ve used any that I’m in love with.
Adding their code to custom pages is pretty straight forward.

James

James, I too have inherited an ecommercetemplates site. I’m trying to get it to display within EE templates but there seems to be a conflict with its PHP and EE’s. Have you been able to do this? Desperate minds want to know!

It wasn’t part of the job. So I didn’t bother.

Not sure what is needed to make it happen in EE.
If it were me, I’d keep it seperate from ee.
The backend would have to be seperate as well. Are you trying to put that in ee as well?

Make sure you have “Allow php” turned on in the templates. Otherwise ee strips it out.

James

Thanks for the quick reply. I’m loathe to use an iframe to display cart-related info on my EE pages but I’m unable to get it on there any other way.

Sure, the backends are separate. Two separate systems. Not very nice.

have you guys looked at Foxycart and the coolcommerce module? It looks like coolcommerce isn’t being supported anymore but we are working with Foxycart on their next release to create a enhanced version of the coolcommerce module.