eCommerce templates

bond · 12-08-2008, 04:26 PM

Are these templates worth the money?
As anybody used them?
Can you recommend others?
thanks

http://www.templatemonster.com/zencart-templates.php

**Pete** · 12-08-2008, 05:13 PM

There is nothing wrong with them. And there others around the net and at the OSC and Zen forums.
Virtually all OSC templates will work, as well.

As far as "worth the money" that is something only you can decide, as we all have different levels of pocket depth.

As far as good / bad, work / not work - they will work, at least all I've found. Keep in mind that SOME mods may also affect the template, so if your cart is heavily modded, you may have to also adjust the template.
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**consultant** · 12-08-2008, 05:19 PM

Bond,

the first thing to look at is the system to use, then the templates. This allows you to make sure you are happy with the operation and features.

Sure,the templates may be nice, but does Zencat do what you want?

Although templatemonster has a great range, on certain systems/setups, they can be problematic - just google. However, they are popular and their shear volume would result in some complaints!

bond · 12-08-2008, 05:23 PM

Thanks for answering.
Do you feel those templates will cut the time developing a good store by a big margin or in the end i will spend the same time as if i choose another template and modify it.
I don't have much experience in php/css .
I'm trying to figure it out how can i get it going with a good and presentable store without spending much time developing or customizing.

**consultant** · 12-08-2008, 05:27 PM

If you do not have much programming business, you will either have the easiest or most problamatic experience, but, alas, you will not find out until you buy it!

Have you looked at Joomla and virtuemart. This will allow you to obtain 'stable' templates and build a very power powerful site.

bond · 12-08-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by consultant

If you do not have much programming business, you will either have the easiest or most problamatic experience, but, alas, you will not find out until you buy it!

Have you looked at Joomla and virtuemart. This will allow you to obtain 'stable' templates and build a very power powerful site.

I'll take a look.
Right now i'm learning drupal wich is great.
I had programming experience when i was a student, mainly (dbase, clipper, c++ and basic) but it's been years since i do some real programming stuff.
I still remember the basics and how things work.
I think in no time i would be confortable programming in php/css. My main problem now is get this going and then with some time building my knowledge.

I choose to put the zen cart templates link because it seems that they have the largest support base.
Do you feel this is right?
I've seen the others cube cart, oscommerce and all have the same features more or less.
For a standard drop ship operation i guess zen cart will do it but if you feel other's are easy, feel free to guide me.

**consultant** · 12-08-2008, 05:51 PM

OSC has the biggest support base. ZEN & CREloaded are both boosted version, with strong communities. I cant comment on Cube, as I have never used it, but Pete is the man for that!

Joomla has a VERY big community!!

Have a look at www.testacart.com, where you can see several open source systems. Megento shows the most promise and is possibly the most powerful, but is a bitch to set up. I was impressed with prestashop.

bond · 12-08-2008, 06:41 PM

I really liked prestashop.
Will try it also.

bond · 12-08-2008, 06:49 PM

Do you guys recommend installing in the root or under a folder?

**Pete** · 12-08-2008, 07:02 PM

Entirely up to you. I've got nearly 100 cart users hosting with me and every one is in the root.

But if you want a different sales message in a regular type site and the cart in a folder, no problem.

Keep in mind, with few exceptions, the template is ONLY the looks and has nothing to do with the functionality of the cart. Chose the cart that serves your needs then worry about the looks and template.

Presta is new, few templates available.

CubeCart is be far the easiest to change the looks / template for. There are hundreds of free / low cost / and custom "skins" as they call them available. With CC all you do is load the entire skin package to the skins folder and them open your admin and chose that skin from the dropdown list. Truly that simple.
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