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Installation: Introduction
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First off, I would like to thank you for choosing cpCommerce and I hope you find this application
easy to use and manage.
This introduction is going to tell you a bit about "How the Script Operates", "Who Designed the
Script", and it will provide you with methods on "How to go About Seeking Help" to questions or bugs
found in the script.
How the Script Operates:
This E-commerce Script combines many utilities that many other "free" e-commerce scripts
provide, except I allow you to completely customize the entire layout by editing 5 files.
This is due to the script being built using modules (code segments being placed in particular
areas after the layout has been built) and templates (a file in which designates what shows
where). Each of these 5 files will be discussed later on in the "Installation Section" in
more detail.
This application/script requires a Linux/Unix System running Apache 1.3 or higher and the use
of PHP 4.2.X or higher with MySQL 3.2.X or higher and sufficient database and server space.
Who Designed the Script:
The template and module defaults, the database architecture, and the php coding were by Matthew
Wilkin. Matthew Wilkin wrote this script to help those having troubles with osCommerce and
other similar scripts to have an alternative option that provided more flexibility.
"It took approximately 3 weeks for me to develop the primary backend and architecture of the
database, one of those weeks was primarily learning how to operate PayPal's IPN Service so I
could provide PayPal as a payment method.
A lot of work was put into this application and a lot of support from fellow friends both
online and offline was greatly needed to keep myself working on completing this script in a
timely manner. If it were not for their support I would have probably dropped this project
when I encountered PayPal's useless IPN Manual."
- Matthew Wilkin © 2003
How to go About Seeking Help:
If you need help with any particular section of this application, please refer to this Manual
first before sending any e-mails my way.
If you find a bug, please do not panic or start editing files to figure out if you can fix it.
What you need to do is 1) trace back your steps and go through them one by one again writing
down every link you click on. 2) Type out the information into your e-mail client along with
any error messages you encounter from the script. 3) Post all the information as a message on
the message board at
cpCommerce Forums.
Please be patient as I may not reply to your post for a few days. I am a college student
trying to ensure I can graduate with my dual majors on time. I will get to it as soon as I
possibly can.
All suggestions for new features should be posted in the suggestion forum at
cpCommerce Forums.
Again, thank you for using cpCommerce.
I hope you find this application/script very useful.
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Installation: Editing the _config.php file
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When you downloaded the cpCommerce script, you
probably noticed there was a ton of files included in it. Inside the main directory was a file
called "_config.php". This file helps run the entire e-commerce script. Each variable
inside it performs many actions on each page. Read the comments inside the _config.php file
so you give each variable its proper value.
Once you have completed editing, the values upload the "_config.php" file back to your cpCommerce directory.
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Installation: Uploading the Files
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To upload the files included in the zip file you will need to have a FTP program. Below are a few
FTP Programs I found online:
Freeware FTP Programs:
AceFTP
NetAnts
SmartFTP
FTP Commander
FTP Programs with Trial Evaluations:
CuteFTP
LeapFTP
WS FTP
After you have you FTP Program installed you will need to connect to your server with it. You can
do this by entering your domain name without the 'http://' or 'www.' into the Domain Field, and
then enter your control panel or ftp account's username and password into their respective fields.
After you have entered in the information click on the "Connect" button or press "Enter".
On the left side is a directory window of your computer and on the right is the directory layout
of your server. Use the left directory window to navigate to where you extracted the zip file
containing the cpCommerce script (make sure
you can see the directory called 'ecommerce' do not open that directory in your FTP program). Once
you have found the script's location, navigate to your 'public_html' or 'www' folder in the right
directory window.
Right Click on the 'ecommerce' folder in the left window and choose "Transfer". Now all of the
files in that directory and that directory name will be copied onto your server. Once the
transfer is complete, you may move on to "Chmoding the Directories".
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Installation: Chmoding the Directories
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Note: This is a continuation of the section "Uploading the Files". If you
have not read that section of the manual please do so before proceeding with these
instructions.
On the right, you have your server's directory listing which now includes a folder called
'ecommerce'. Double-Click on that folder to open it. After the listing, shows the contents of
that folder navigate your way to the 'images' folder and open it by Double-Clicking on it.
Inside that folder are 3 other folders, 'categories', 'manufacturers', and 'products'. Right-Click
on the 'categories' folder and a menu will appear. Choose the "Chmod" option. Set the Chmod value
to 0777. Do the same for the 'manufacturers' folder.
Finally, Double-Click on the 'products' folder to open it. Inside this folder are 2 more folders.
Right-Click on each of these folders, choose Chmod, and give it the value of 0777.
After all of the folders have been chmoded you may close your FTP Program.
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Installation: Create an Administrator
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Now that the files and directories are set up, it is time to create an Administrator account so you
can begin making categories, manufacturers, announcements, newsletters, and products.
To make an Administrator account, follow this link: Setup an Administrator
After the Administrator account is setup, run the _upgrade.php file: Upgrade File
Follow the steps on the form and then you will have access to the admin areas.
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Announcements: Introduction
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Announcements are a way of notifying your user's of major changes that the site will be going
through in the near future, or ways to explain of server problems that occurred just the other day.
Nonetheless, they server a single purpose and that purpose is to inform your members and frequent
visitors of important information pertaining to the site.
For example, if you knew that you were moving servers next week, you could give all your customers
a heads up on it by making an announcement display for the entire week. This was when they try to
visit the site during the server move they will understand why it is inaccessible to them.
Providing your customers with important information in an organized fashion is necessary. That is
why there is a template called "announcement.html". It provides you with a chance to make a
unique template so it will stick out to your customers and visitors.
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Announcements: Create an Announcement
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To create an announcement right-click and choose "Open in a New Window" on the "Announcements" link
on the left. This way you can have these instructions open as you are filling out the text fields.
Inside that page on the right is a box with the section title as "Create an Announcement:" in bold
text.
The first text field you will come across is the "Title" field. This field's value will appear
where you have the "{{title}}" in the "announcement.html" template (See "Modifying Templates" for
more information).
The next field is the "Announcement" field. Here you will write the message you want your
customers/visitors to read. This text will be displayed where the "{{content}}" text is located
in the "announcement.html" template (See "Modifying Templates" for more information).
Finally, the last two areas are the "Start Date" and the "End Date". These fields designate when
this particular announcement should be displayed. Please make sure you enter in valid dates or
the announcement may not remove itself from view.
Once you are done filling out the form fields click on the "submit" button.
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Announcements: Modify an Announcement
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To modify an announcement right-click and choose "Open in a New Window" on the "Announcements" link
on the left. This way you can have these instructions open as you are editing the text fields.
Inside that page on the right is a list of all of the announcements you have made. To edit one
of them click on the edit button (blue button with a wrench).
Now you may edit any of the content inside the form fields and to remind you of what each field is
I have included the list inside the "Create an Announcement" section here as well.
The first text field you will come across is the "Title" field. This field's value will appear
where you have the "{{title}}" in the "announcement.html" template (See "Modifying Templates" for
more information).
The next field is the "Announcement" field. Here you will write the message you want your
customers/visitors to read. This text will be displayed where the "{{content}}" text is located
in the "announcement.html" template (See "Modifying Templates" for more information).
Finally, the last two areas are the "Start Date" and the "End Date". These fields designate when
this particular announcement should be displayed. Please make sure you enter in valid dates or
the announcement may not remove itself from view.
Once you are done filling out the form fields click on the "submit" button.
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Announcements: Delete an Announcement
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To delete an announcement right-click and choose "Open in a New Window" on the "Announcements" link
on the left. This way you can have these instructions open as you are deleting your announcement.
Inside that page on the right is a list of all of the announcements you have made. To delete one
of them click on the delete button (blue button with a trashcan).
A delete confirmation box will now appear. Click on "yes" to delete the announcement you selected.
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Categories: Introduction
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Categories are a way of organizing your products into broad topic and slowly narrow them down
farther and farther. For example if I had a 19 inch flat screen Monitor to sell I could create the
following categories and sub-categories:
Computers > Monitors > Flat Screen > 19"
The farther in the list I go the more specific it gets. Through this area of the manual you will
learn how to create Categories and Sub-Categories via the Administration Area.
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Categories: Create a (Sub-)Category
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Creating a Category:
To create a category right-click and choose "Open in a New Window" on the "Categories"
link on the left. This way you can have these instructions open as you are filling out the text
fields. Inside that page on the right is a box with the section title as "Create a Category:"
in bold text.
Creating a Sub-Category:
To create a category right-click and choose "Open in a New Window" on the "Categories"
link on the left. This way you can have these instructions open as you are filling out the text
fields. On that page, you will notice a small blue icon with three black dots next to each
category you have created. Click on it to open/browse that category. Inside that page on the
right is a box with the section title as "Create a Category:" in bold text. Once you are in the
category you want to add a sub-category into follow the instructions below using the form on
the right.
The Form Fields:
The first text field you will come across is the "Category Name" field. This field defines the
name of the category. It is required so your customers/visitors can easily browse through
your store.
The next field you will see is the "Category Image" field. This is where you will select an
image you made from your hard drive to be displayed as the Category's Image. Remember that the
large the image's width and height values are the more skewed the display might be. As a rule
of thumb, I suggest using an image no larger than 120px for the width and 60px for the height.
After selecting the image, you will be asked to enter in a Description for the Category you are
creating. Make this description very precise, as it will tell the visitor/customer a bit of
background over the usefulness of the item(s) they are looking at.
Finally, you can choose whether this category is viewable or not viewable by your
customers/visitors. By making the category "invisible" you can make all the products without
anyone seeing each one appear several minutes after the prior one. This way the customer/visitor
sees everything at once and not in parts.
After you are done filling out the form click on the "submit" button to have your category
created.
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Categories: Modify a (Sub-)Category
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Modifying a Category:
To modify a category right-click and choose "Open in a New Window" on the "Categories"
link on the left. This way you can have these instructions open as you are filling out the text
fields. On the right, you will see a list of every category you have created. Click on the blue
button that has the image of a black wrench on it that is next to the category you want to modify.
Inside that page on the right is a box with the section title as "Modify a Category:" in bold
text.
Modifying a Sub-Category:
To modify a category right-click and choose "Open in a New Window" on the "Categories"
link on the left. This way you can have these instructions open as you are filling out the text
fields. On that page, you will notice a small blue icon with three black dots next to each
category you have created. Click on it to open/browse that category. On the right, you will see a
list of every category you have created. Click on the blue button that has the image of a black
wrench on it that is next to the category you want to modify. Inside that page on the right is a
box with the section title as "Modify a Category:" in bold text. Once you are in the category you
want to modify viewable on the page follow the instructions below on how to use the form on the
right.
The Form Fields:
The first text field you will come across is the "Category Name" field. This field defines the
name of the category. It is required so your customers/visitors can easily browse through
your store.
The next field you will see is the "Category Image" field. This is where you will select an
image you made from your hard drive to be displayed as the Category's Image. Remember that the
large the image's width and height values are the more skewed the display might be. As a rule
of thumb, I suggest using an image no larger than 120px for the width and 60px for the height.
After selecting the image, you will be asked to enter in a Description for the Category you are
creating. Make this description very precise, as it will tell the visitor/customer a bit of
background over the usefulness of the item(s) they are looking at.
Finally, you can choose whether this category is viewable or not viewable by your
customers/visitors. By making the category "invisible" you can make all the products without
anyone seeing each one appear several minutes after the prior one. This way the customer/visitor
sees everything at once and not in parts.
After you are done filling out the form click on the "submit" button to have your category
changes saved.
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Categories: Delete a (Sub-)Category
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Deleting a Category:
To delete a category right-click and choose "Open in a New Window" on the "Categories"
link on the left. This way you can have these instructions open as you are filling out the text
fields. On the right, you will see a list of every category you have created. Click on the blue
button that has the image of a trashcan on it that is next to the category you want to delete.
Inside that page on the right is a box with the section title as "Delete a Category:" in bold
text. Click on the "yes" button
Deleting a Sub-Category:
To delete a category right-click and choose "Open in a New Window" on the "Categories"
link on the left. This way you can have these instructions open as you are filling out the text
fields. On that page, you will notice a small blue icon with three black dots next to each
category you have created. Click on it to open/browse that category. On the right, you will see a
list of every category you have created. Click on the blue button that has the image of a trashcan on it that is next to the category you want to delete. Inside that page on the right is a
box with the section title as "Delete a Category:" in bold text. Click on the "yes" button.
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Manufacturers: Introduction
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Every product has a manufacturer and to create products for your store you must have at least one
manufacturer present in your database. The manufacturer area allows you to provide your customers
with information regarding the product's manufacturer to help them decide which manufacturer is
better than the other similar products they have looked at.
The more specifics you provide regarding the manufacturers you make will provide your
customers/visitors with more needed to knowledge. Also by including the manufacturers website
you can provide your customers/visitors with a way to find out more information.
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Manufacturers: Create a Manufacturer
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To create a manufacturer right-click and choose "Open in a New Window" on the "Manufacturers" link
on the left. This way you can have these instructions open as you are filling out the text fields.
Inside that page on the right is a box with the section title as "Create an Manufacturer:" in bold
text.
The first text field you will come across is the "Manufacturer Name" field. This field's value
defines the name of the manufacturer. What you type here will be displayed in the manufacturer
drop down list and when each product is displayed.
The next field is the "Manufacturer Website" field. Here you will write the url to the
manufacturers' website so your customers/visitors can find out more information.
Following the "Manufacturer Website" is the "Manufacturer Image". This is where you can
upload the manufacturers' logo or an image you created to represent that manufacturer.
Finally, the last field is for the "Manufacturer Description". Be sure to type in something
descriptive for your customer/visitor to read so he/she will know how trustworthy that
company/corporation is.
Once you are done filling out the form fields click on the "submit" button.
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Manufacturers: Modify a Manufacturer
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To modify a manufacturer right-click and choose "Open in a New Window" on the "Manufacturers" link
on the left. This way you can have these instructions open as you are filling out the text fields.
Click on the blue button that has the image of a black wrench on it that is next to the
manufacturer you want to modify. Inside that page on the right is a box with the section title as
"Modify an Manufacturer:" in bold text.
The first text field you will come across is the "Manufacturer Name" field. This field's value
defines the name of the manufacturer. What you type here will be displayed in the manufacturer
drop down list and when each product is displayed.
The next field is the "Manufacturer Website" field. Here you will write the url to the
manufacturers' website so your customers/visitors can find out more information.
Following the "Manufacturer Website" is the "Manufacturer Image". This is where you can
upload the manufacturers' logo or an image you created to represent that manufacturer.
Finally, the last field is for the "Manufacturer Description". Be sure to type in something
descriptive for your customer/visitor to read so he/she will know how trustworthy that
company/corporation is.
Once you are done filling out the form fields click on the "submit" button.
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Manufacturers: Delete a Manufacturer
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To delete a manufacturer right-click and choose "Open in a New Window" on the "Manufacturers" link
on the left. This way you can have these instructions open as you are deleting your manufacturer.
Inside that page on the right is a list of all of the manufacturers you have made. To delete one
of them click on the delete button (blue button with a trashcan).
A delete confirmation box will now appear. Click on "yes" to delete the manufacturer you selected.
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Newsletters: Introduction
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Keep your customers informed by sending out weekly or monthly newsletters to those who wish to
receive them. Newsletters are a great way to inform members of specials or upcoming events that
deal with the site. Members who have their account set to receive newsletters are the only ones
who will be e-mailed them.
This script will track all newsletters you have sent to your members. You may delete saved
newsletters from the database later.
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Newsletters: Send a Newsletter
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To send a newsletter right-click and choose "Open in a New Window" on the "Newsletters" link
on the left. This way you can have these instructions open as you are filling out the text fields.
Inside that page on the right is a box with the section title as "Create an Newsletter:" in bold
text.
The first text field you will come across is the "Subject" field. This field's value
defines the subject line of the newsletter you are about to send.
The next text field is the "Message" field. Here is where you will type out the message
of your newsletter.
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Newsletters: Delete a Newsletter
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To delete a newsletter right-click and choose "Open in a New Window" on the "Newsletters" link
on the left. This way you can have these instructions open as you are deleting your newsletter.
Inside that page on the right is a list of all of the newsletters you have made. To delete one
of them click on the delete button (blue button with a trashcan).
A delete confirmation box will now appear. Click on "yes" to delete the newsletter you selected.
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Products: Introduction
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Products are items a customer/visitor can purchase from your online store. Each product may contain
a thumbnail and a full size image. You may set your own prices, shipping charges, handling charges,
and much more. Everything is readily available for your customer/visitor to see when the visit
that products' page.
Products can be searched for and browsed for by category, or manufacturer.
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Products: Create a Product
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To create a product right-click on the "Products" link and choose "Open in a New Window" thus
allowing you to read the instructions and create a product at the same time. On the right is a
form with the title "Create a Product" in bold text.
Please be warned that you must have 1 category built and 1 manufacturer created before
this script will allow you to create a product.
The first thing you will need to do is browse to the category you want to create the product in.
To do this, click on the "browse" button next to the categories listed until you are
inside the category you want the product created in.
Once you are in the category, you may begin filling out the form on the right. Below is a
description of each of the form fields.
Product Name:
The name of the product. This name will be shown on most pages that display items you are
selling such as the category listings, manufacturer listings, and the search results.
Product Manufacturer:
Select a manufacturer you have created for this product.
Product Thumbnail:
A small image of the product. A good rule of thumb would be a 120px by 60px image. This image
will be displayed in multiple places in the store.
Product Image:
A full size image of the product. This image will be viewable on the product's display page
where the user can click on the thumbnail to see a enlarged or bigger image.
Product Description:
A specific description stating what exactly the customer/visitor is buying.
Product Price:
Price of the product. Do not include the currency symbol.
Product Shipping Price:
Shipping Price for when the quantity equals 1. Do not include the currency symbol.
Product Shipping Price (2):
Shipping Price for when the quantity is 2 or more (ie: quantity-1 * this value). Do not include the currency symbol.
Product Handling Price:
Handling Price for the item. Do not include the currency symbol.
Product Stock:
Number of items in Stock.
Once you have completed the form, click the "submit" button.
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Products: Modify a Product
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To modify a product right-click on the "Products" link and choose "Open in a New Window" thus
allowing you to read the instructions and modify a product at the same time. Next to each
product is a blue button with a black wrench on it. Click that button to modify that product.
The first thing you will need to do is browse to the category in which the product you want to
modify is in.
To do this, click on the "browse" button next to the categories listed until you are
inside the category in which the product you want to modify is in.
Once you are in the category and have selected your product, you may begin filling out the form on
the right. Below is a description of each of the form fields.
Product Name:
The name of the product. This name will be shown on most pages that display items you are
selling such as the category listings, manufacturer listings, and the search results.
Product Manufacturer:
Select a manufacturer you have created for this product.
Product Thumbnail:
A small image of the product. A good rule of thumb would be a 120px by 60px image. This image
will be displayed in multiple places in the store.
Product Image:
A full size image of the product. This image will be viewable on the product's display page
where the user can click on the thumbnail to see a enlarged or bigger image.
Product Description:
A specific description stating what exactly the customer/visitor is buying.
Product Price:
Price of the product. Do not include the currency symbol.
Product Shipping Price:
Shipping Price for when the quantity equals 1. Do not include the currency symbol.
Product Shipping Price (2):
Shipping Price for when the quantity is 2 or more (ie: quantity-1 * this value). Do not include the currency symbol.
Product Handling Price:
Handling Price for the item. Do not include the currency symbol.
Product Stock:
Number of items in Stock.
Once you have completed the form, click the "submit" button.
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Products: Move a Product
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To move a product right-click on the "Products" link and choose "Open in a New Window" thus
allowing you to read the instructions and delete a product at the same time. Next to each
product is a blue button with a black arrow pointing to the upper left on it. Click that button
to see the "Move a Product" form.
On the page you will see a form on the right with the title of "Move a Product" in bold text.
Below this form is a drop down box. Inside the drop down box is a list of all the Categories and
their Sub-Categories in alphabetical order. Select the Category you want to move your product to
and click on the "submit" button.
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Products: Delete a Product
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To delete a product right-click on the "Products" link and choose "Open in a New Window" thus
allowing you to read the instructions and delete a product at the same time. Next to each
product is a blue button with a trashcan on it. Click that button to delete that product.
The first thing you will need to do is browse to the category in which the product you want to
delete is in.
To do this, click on the "browse" button next to the categories listed until you are
inside the category in which the product you want to delete is in.
The form on the right will ask you if you really want to delete that product. Click "yes" to
delete the product.
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Products: Place a Product on Sale
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To place a product on sale you will need to right-click on the "Products" link and choose "Open in
a New Window" so you will have these instructions and the products page open.
Browse to the category that contains the product you wish to place on sale. Next to the products
name will be a blue button with the dollar sign ($) in black on it. Click that button to get
a form, which has the title of "Product Sale".
The first field you will come across is called "Sale Price". Next to this field name is the retail
price of the product (ie: the price as if the product was not on sale). Enter a numerical value
into the "Sale Price" field without including the currency symbol.
Following the "Sale Price" field is the "Sale Start Date" and the "Sale End Date". Enter in the
date you want the sale to begin and the date you want it to end in these fields. Be sure to
enter in a valid date or else the script may not remove the item from being on sale.
Once you have, the form filled out click "submit".
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Purchase History: Introduction
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The purchase history does exactly what it sounds like. It tracks every purchase made through your
store by visitors and customers. This allows you to monitor each purchase that went through
your site.
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Purchase History: View the Information
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Click on the blue button with the black question mark (?) to view that purchase's information.
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Sale History: Introduction
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Tracks every product you have placed on sale. This area will tell you when each product was on
sale and when the sale ended. It will also display information about each sale such as the retail
price of the product and the sale price.
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Sale History: Delete a Sale
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Right-Click on the "Sale History" link and choose "Open in a New Window" so now you can read these
instructions and try them out in the script.
To delete a sale click on the blue button that has an image of a trash can on it next to the
products name. When the confirmation box appears click "yes" to delete the sale.
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Sale History: View a Sale's Information
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Right-Click on the "Sale History" link and choose "Open in a New Window" so now you can read these
instructions and try them out in the script.
To view a sale's information click on the blue button that has black question mark (?) on it next
to the products name. On the right will be the information pertaining to that sale.
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Site Documents: Introduction
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Site Documents give you the oportunity to run your entire site using cpCommerce. You can create other pages
such as Privacy Policies, About Pages, Company Information, Terms of Use, etc all through
this area.
Now instead of having to keep tabs over directories and links going to and from the cpCommerce script you can just maintain all of
your sites pages from the script.
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Site Documents: Create a Site Document
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To create a site document, right-click on the "Site Documents" link and choose "Open in a New
Window". This allows you to have these instructions and the form both open at the same time.
On the right is a form with the header of "Create a Site Document" in bold text. This form will
be used to create your pages.
The first field you will stumble upon is the "Document Name". This is the page name also known as
the 'title' of the page. This will appear as the title of the module this page is displayed in.
Next will be the "Document Text" field. Here is where you will write out any html tags excluding
the html header tags and the body tag. Any style settings should be written in the
'template/style.css' file which will be included on every page displayed. Line breaks will
automatically be turned into '<br>' tags so they are not needed.
Once you have completed the documentation and title click on "submit" to create the page.
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Site Documents: Modify a Site Document
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To modify a site document, right-click on the "Site Documents" link and choose "Open in a New
Window". This allows you to have these instructions and the form both open at the same time.
On the right is of documents you have created. Beside each one is a blue button with a black
wrench on it. Click it to modify that document.
The first field you will stumble upon is the "Document Name". This is the page name also known as
the 'title' of the page. This will appear as the title of the module this page is displayed in.
Next will be the "Document Text" field. Here is where you will write out any html tags excluding
the html header tags and the body tag. Any style settings should be written in the
'template/style.css' file which will be included on every page displayed. Line breaks will
automatically be turned into '<br>' tags so they are not needed.
Once you have completed the documentation and title click on "submit" to modify the page.
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Site Documents: Delete a Site Document
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To delete a site document, right-click on the "Site Documents" link and choose "Open in a New
Window". This allows you to have these instructions and the form both open at the same time.
On the right is of documents you have created. Beside each one is a blue button with a trash
can on it. Click it to delete that document.
A form will appear on the left under the title of "Delete Site Document", click "yes" to delete
that document.
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Site Documents: Create a Link to a Site Document
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There is two ways to create a link to your site documents. One is by using the
'sidebar/document_list.html' module or you can create your own static links in the template by
noting each of the documents "id" numbers and creating the link using HTML.
Using the module:
This module is applied in the template in which is installed on your server. If you have
removed this module from the template you can add it back by inserting the following as the
function call (see Modifying a Template for more information).
callModule("Site Information","document_list.html","sidebar/");
Creating Your Own Links:
Open the "Site Documents" admin area and click on either the "modify" or "delete" buttons.
Inside the address bar is a value called "id" with an equal sign (=) following it. Look to the
right of that equal sign and you will see a numerical value. That value is the documents' "id"
number.
Now to display your document using your own links, create a html link with the target being:
documents.php?d=#
The # represent the location in which you should type out the numerical value you retrieved from
the admin area.
Once you have that in place your document link tag should look something like so:
<a href="documents.php?d=1">View Document #1</a>
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Store Staff: Introduction
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One person cannot manage a high priority site alone. cpCommerce allows you to create store staff and
store administrators to help you take care of the site.
Store Staff:
Store staff can access the following locations:
Getting Started
Categories,
Manufacturers,
Products,
Sale History,
Site Documents,
and Updates
Store Administrators:
Store administrators can access the store staff locations and these:
Announcements,
Newsletters,
Purchase History,
Contact Us Form,
and Store Staff
The duties that each can access can be found and changed in the
'admin/modules/sidebar/navigation.html' file.
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Store Staff: Create a Staff Member/Administrator
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To create a store staff member or an administrator, right-click on the "Store Staff" link and
choose "Open in a New Window".
On the right is a form titled "Make a Staff Member". Below is a field asking for you to input
a user's e-mail address. Type in the user's e-mail address you want to turn into a "Store Staff
Member" or a "Store Administrator".
Following the e-mail address field is the "Level of Authorization" field. Select which field you
want the member to have then click on the "submit" button.
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Store Staff: Upgrade a Staff Member
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To upgrade a store staff member to an administrator, right-click on the "Store Staff" link and
choose "Open in a New Window".
On the right is a list of all Store Staff Members and Administrators. Those with a blue button
that has a black up arrow on it are "Staff Members". Click on that button to get the "Upgrade
a Staff Member" form. Click on "yes" to upgrade that Staff Member to an Administrator.
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Store Staff: Downgrade an Administrator
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To downgrade a store staff member to an administrator, right-click on the "Store Staff" link and
choose "Open in a New Window".
On the right is a list of all Store Staff Members and Administrators. Those with a blue button
that has a black down arrow on it are "Administrators". Click on that button to get the "Downgrade
an Administrator" form. Click on "yes" to downgrade that Administrator to a Staff Member.
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Store Staff: Delete a Staff Member/Administrator
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To delete a store staff member to an administrator, right-click on the "Store Staff" link and
choose "Open in a New Window".
On the right is a list of all Store Staff Members and Administrators. Each Person listed has a
blue button that has a trash can on it. Click on that button to get the "Remove a Staff
Member" form. Click on "yes" to delete that Administrator/Staff Member.
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Contact Us Form: Introduction
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Included with my cpCommerce script is what I
call a "Dynamic Contact Us Form". This feature allows you to make your own contact form without
having to mess with any HTML tags.
You can choose any type of form tag except for "hidden" fields. The form will automatically be
created for you and the results will be sent to the e-mail address you provided in the _config.php
file.
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Contact Us Form: Create a Form Field
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To create a Form Field, right-click on the "Contact Us Form" link and choose "Open in a New
Window". On the right is a form titled "Create a Field".
The first form field you will come across is the "Display Text". This field defines what text is
shown next to the form field you are creating and what is written in the e-mail next to the value
your visitor or customer submitted.
The next field on the form is the "Form Field Type". This field defines what kind of form field
you want to display to your visitor/customer (ie: select, checkbox, radio buttons, text, textarea).
Following the "Form Field Type" is the "If you choose either select, checkbox, or radio button"
field. This field is for you to enter in the multiple items that a user can select. Seperate each
item by using the enter key.
After the above field is the "Order Id" field. This is where you can select where you want
this newly created form field to appear.
And finally, you come across the "Required" field. "Yes", means the form is required for the form
to be submitted and "No" of course means it does not have to be filled out.
Click on "submit" to create the field.
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Contact Us Form: Modify a Form Field
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To modify a Form Field, right-click on the "Contact Us Form" link and choose "Open in a New
Window". On the right is a list of all the form fields you have created. Next to each one is a
blue button with an image of a black wrench on it. Click on this image to get the "Modify a Field"
form.
The first form field you will come across is the "Display Text". This field defines what text is
shown next to the form field you are creating and what is written in the e-mail next to the value
your visitor or customer submitted.
The next field on the form is the "Form Field Type". This field defines what kind of form field
you want to display to your visitor/customer (ie: select, checkbox, radio buttons, text, textarea).
Following the "Form Field Type" is the "If you choose either select, checkbox, or radio button"
field. This field is for you to enter in the multiple items that a user can select. Seperate each
item by using the enter key.
After the above field is the "Order Id" field. This is where you can select where you want
this newly created form field to appear.
And finally, you come across the "Required" field. "Yes", means the form is required for the form
to be submitted and "No" of course means it does not have to be filled out.
Click on "submit" to modify the field.
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Contact Us Form: Delete a Form Field
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To delete a Form Field, right-click on the "Contact Us Form" link and choose "Open in a New
Window". On the right is a list of all the form fields you have created. Next to each one is a
blue button with an image of a trash can on it. Click on this image to get the "Delete a Field"
form.
Click on "yes" to delete the field.
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Updates: Introduction
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Every change you make in the administration area gets recorded for the time you are logged in.
Once you logout or close the browser window this information is lost forever. Everything that is
logged can be found in the "Updates" area.
The number in the parenthesis are the number of changes you have made. You may view these changes
and send an e-mail containing them to your customers within the "Updates" area. Any changes that
you do not want sent can be deleted before sending the e-mail.
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Updates: Send an Updates E-mail
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To send an updates e-mail, right-click on the "Updates" link and choose "Open in a New Window".
On the right is a list of all of the updates you have made to the site and a form asking if you
would like to e-mail that list to your customers. Click on the "yes" button to send out the
e-mail.
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Updates: Delete an Update
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To delete an updates so it doesn't get sent in the e-mail, right-click on the "Updates" link and
choose "Open in a New Window". On the right is a list of all of the updates you have made to the
site along with a blue button with an image of a trash can on it. Click on that button to get the
"Delete Update" form. Click on the "yes" button to remove that update from the list.
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Templates: Introduction
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Templates are files that allow the user to change how the layout looks without having to edit
actual code. Many well programmed scripts are heading in this direction if they are not using
it already. Using a template helps those who have little or no programming experience to create
a layout to their liking.
This script operates on 5 templates for the main display and 4 templates for the admin area. Each
template has its own purpose and will configure how certain aspects are shown.
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Templates: Announcement Template
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The announcment template determines the announcement layout. Where the title is outputted, where
the content is shown, and the date the announcement will be shown through.
You can find the announcement template inside your "template/" folder under the name of
"announcement.html".
To signify where to write the title of the announcement use the phrase "{{title}}", to show where
the content should be displayed use the phrase "{{content}}" and to show the date use "{{date}}".
Example:
<table class="modulebox" width="100%" cellspacing="0px" cellpadding="0px" border="0px">
<tr>
<td class="moduletitle">
{{title}}
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="modulecontent">
<table width="100%" cellspacing="0px" cellpadding="0px" border="0px">
<tr>
<td>
{{content}}
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">
<span class="xsmall">
<em>
Announcement: {{date}}
</em>
</span>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</table><br>
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Templates: Store Display Template
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Templates: Module Template
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Templates: Printer Friendly Template
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Templates: Style Sheet
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Modules: Introduction
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Modules: Create a Module
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