The Art of E-Commerce

Designed for Online Merchants

Zen Cart™ truly is the art of e-commerce; a free, user-friendly, open source shopping cart system. The software is being developed by group of like-minded shop owners, programmers, designers, and consultants that think e-commerce could be and should be done differently. Some "solutions" seem to be complicated programming exercises instead of responding to users' needs, Zen Cart™ puts the merchant's and shopper's requirements first. Similarly, other programs are nearly impossible to install and use without an IT degree, Zen Cart™ can be installed and set-up by anyone with the most basic computer skills. Others are so expensive ... not Zen Cart™, it's FREE!

Designed for Online Shoppers

Zen Cart™ will deliver the ultimate online shopping experience to your customers. Navigating through your merchandise offerings is a breeze with Zen Cart™, the program provides several "Spotlight" lists in addition to the traditional category to product links. Once a product is added to the shopping cart, secure checkout is a simple 3-step process. After providing the billing information, your customer chooses the shipping method. (multiple shipping methods including real-time internet shipping quotes are built-in) Next, a payment type is chosen from one of the popular payment modules. (PayPal™ and AuthorizeNet™ are just 2 of the included modules) Last, the customer reviews the order, shipping and payment choices, and confirms the order. You are immediately notified of the order and your customer automatically receives an e-mail confirmation.

Zen Cart™ addresses many of the goals we set:

• make the program easy to set up
• make it easy to customize
• automate tasks, such as order confirmation
• make navigation simple
• built in promotions; discount coupons, gift certificates, newsletters and product notification
• offer single item specials and storewide discounts (group discounts and quantity discounts - Coming in future editions)
• built in Search Engine Optimization tools
• password protect the Administration Tool (administration "levels" - Coming in future editions)
• support multiple languages, currencies and tax structures

In short, Zen Cart™ is shopping cart software the way it should have been all along.

For Web Designers

Zen Cart™ gives web designers a robust and customizable electronic storefront that's easy to keep up-to-date with new features. It provides usable, intuitive and unobtrusive purchase flows right out of the box based on proven industry best-practices - there are no major revisions required to get things right for your clients!

One of the secrets behind its power lies in our robust template system that "abstracts" the look-and-feel from the code and logic behind Zen Cart™. This enables you to give clients a truly custom solution that integrates quickly and perfectly with their existing marketing websites.

For Developers and Hosting Providers

Developers are able to deploy cutting edge solutions based on Zen Cart™'s modern standards and technologies. Combining PHP server-side technology with the ability to choose from multiple databases on the back end (coming in future editions, thanks to ADOdb), results in flexible software that you can customize and modify to suit your needs. Minimum/suggested server requirements: PHP 4.1.x or higher (PHP 4.3.3+ for optimal performance), Apache 1.3.x and MySQL 3.2x.x or higher.

Features Included in Zen Cart Release v1.1

Improved Template System

- changes can be made to the basic style using only the stylesheet and a few images. No php coding neccessary. More extensive modifications can be made with a simple template override. Changing from one installed template to another is as simple as a couple of clicks in the Admin.

New Merchandise Pricing Options

- In addition to being able to put single items on Special, there are now dozens of options for sales. Percentage off, fixed amount off, or make a new price. Include or exclude the product attributes, add a discount to a Special, put a whole category or the whole store on sale! Plus Free/Call for price.

Minimum or Maximun Quantities and Units

- Want to sell only one 1 per customer or require at least 4 and in units of 2? Now you can set your requirements on a per product basis.

New Attributes and Options

- Radio buttons, checkboxes, dropdowns, text boxes, and uploads. Use any or all them to highlight the products options. Add option upcharges or price by your attributes. Plus, the 'Read Only' option for Features lists.

New Attributes Controller

- Add, remove, set sort orders, change your product options and features all in one place. Set your attributes properties, add images for your options, and set up your downloads from one convenient control panel.

New Layout Settings

- Choose your side column and box widths, Bread Crumb seperator, add a link to the Specials or New Products pages from the category menu and more from the Admin Tool.

Down for Maintenance

- Need to close the web site for a little sprucing up? Now you can! Settings to warn your customers about scheduled work and when the site is not available. Multiple IP override for the webmaster or designer.

New Email Options

- If you need to send copies of the shop's emails to other departments for records or order fullfillment the settings are easy to make in the Admin. You now have a dropdown contact list available from the the catalog's Contact Us form.

Improved Design and Features for Product Information

- In the Admin (Configuration > Product Info), you now have the option of configuring whether to show or not show nearly every piece of information about your product. Add multiple images in multiple sizes. Coupled with the attributes display options, you should be able to give your customer more than enough information to make their buying decision.

Agree to Terms

- A verification for Agreement to the Terms of Service has been added for compliance with new laws regarding privacy and disclosure.

CVV2 Support

- The additional credit card verification number field has been added to the Basic Credit Card module for compliance with most Merchant Agreements. This feature is switchable in the Admin.

More Shipping Options

- Need to have your customer pick up their items or delivery it free in a certain area, Zen Cart can do it.

Sidebox Options

- Turn them on or off, switch their columns and change the sort order with the handy Layout Boxes Controller. Never have to touch the code again.

Demonstration Mode

- Allows visitors to view the admin, make changes and test the program but, protects the most sensitve areas from abuse. Full admin level access available even in Demo Mode.

Improved Search