NGR Online webstore....

[NGR]

Hey there guys!

 

Been running for about a year now - and modded the functionality of the store quite a

bit.

 

http://www.ngrcomputers.co.za

 

Looking for new idea's and general feedback - would you buy from my store and if not why?

 

Also wondering if I should install the SEO contrib - hmmmm....

 

What does everyone think? Any errors you can see?

 

Thanks in advance guys!

 

Nick

[ksaun]

Take 2 steps out of your checkout process and streamline your site, and its easy!

 

Get rid of the "Welcome Please Sign In" Page, this page stops people in their tracks and will hurt your sales.

 

Use this to take the "Welcome Please Sign In" Page and the "Account Created Success" Page out of your checkout process but still collect all their info and create an account or to "Sign In" if they already have an account.

 

http://www.oscommerce.com/forums/index.php?sho...60entry598660

 

Check it out :thumbsup:

[GraphicsGuy]

One thing that would make me leave the site without buying is that the create account page is not secured. As a shopper, I always look for SSL secured pages anywhere that I am supplying information about myself.

 

I don't know your hosting situation, but even a minimal certificate available at very low cost would help most shoppers feel more secure. Well worth the investment I think.

[ksaun]

I was informed that the link didn;t work so here are the instructions.

 

Open up checkout_payment.php and find:

 

// if the customer is not logged on, redirect them to the login page

if (!tep_session_is_registered('customer_id')) {

 $navigation->set_snapshot();

 tep_redirect(tep_href_link(FILENAME_LOGIN, '', 'SSL'));

}

 

Change it to:

 

// if the customer is not logged on, redirect them to the login page

if (!tep_session_is_registered('customer_id')) {

 $navigation->set_snapshot();

 tep_redirect(tep_href_link(FILENAME_CREATE_ACCOUNT, '', 'SSL'));

}

 

Then:

 

In checkout_shipping.php change:

 

tep_redirect(tep_href_link(FILENAME_LOGIN, '', 'SSL'));

 

 

To:

 

tep_redirect(tep_href_link(FILENAME_CREATE_ACCOUNT, '', 'SSL'));

 

 

and if you want to get rid of the "Account Created Success" window that pops up after they create their account do this:

 

In create_account.php

 

Change

tep_redirect(tep_href_link(FILENAME_CREATE_ACCOUNT_SUCCESS, '', 'SSL'));

 

to

 

tep_redirect(tep_href_link(FILENAME_CHECKOUT_SHIPPING, '', 'SSL'));

 

this will remove the thank you message after account creation to speed up checkout. You no longer see create_account_success.php, it goes right to shipping.

 

With this process you have just removed 2 steps from the lengthy cart process, and removed the Dreaded "Become a Member" Page that scares of potential customers, and you still get them to sign in and get them to create the account.

 

Is this great or what?

[NGR]

WOW - Fantastic - BRILLIANT!!!!

 

Was thinking about trying to shorten the checkout process but wasnt too sure how!! Gonna get on that right away!!!

 

Also looking into the ssl certificate - are they difficult to get working? Any suggestions on who to go to?

 

Wow - thanks guys. Any other suggestions?

[ksaun]

WOW - Fantastic - BRILLIANT!!!!

 

Was thinking about trying to shorten the checkout process but wasnt too sure how!! Gonna get on that right away!!!

 

Also looking into the ssl certificate - are they difficult to get working? Any suggestions on who to go to?

 

Wow - thanks guys. Any other suggestions?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I would start another thread on that subject, some will be able to assist you, I did it to my site but that was over a year ago and for get how. :blush:

[spottedhaggis]

My hosting service gave me Comodo, though I know little about which are best it does appear to be a popular one so decided to go with it. Easy to setup as well. Go HEREhere, and look to the lower right of the page, the comodo logo is visible, move the mouse over and it will show the certificate. Then note the page is http: goto my account at the very top right and it should move straight to https, this is now ssl secured pages.

 

As far as I remmeber its simply editing the configuration page, and using the comodo page to get the mouse over working, very simple, be glad to help, though I am still a novice myself

[GraphicsGuy]

Also looking into the ssl certificate - are they difficult to get working? Any suggestions on who to go to?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If your hosting package is fully managed, they should help with the server end of it.

 

If not, many domain registrars and hosting companies are resellers for SSL certificates at discount rates. RapidSSL (formerly freeSSL) is a low cost provider. GeoTrust is a good mid range one. There are others that go up from there. I suggest doing a search on these forums for "certificate" to find pros & cons of various types and providers.

 

Installing them is usually pretty easy. Iit is usually a function within your hosting control panel. The process usually involves three steps. Generate a "CSR" using the control panel. Choose a certificate provider and follow their order process which will include uploading the CSR to them and they will send you the "certificate". You then use your hosting control panel to load that certificate.

 

Finally, you will need to adjust both of your configure.php files in osCommerce to enable your store to use SSL.