How I used osCommerce

[NooneHasThisName!]

Check out how I incorporated osCommerce into my website. I really enjoyed doing this. It wasn't that complicated, but I think it looks and functions good. What do you think? Feel free to submit orders using the Check/MO payment option. Just mention in the comments section that you are "evaluating" the site. :)

 

MyFundRaisingWorld.com

 

Changes included the index, footer, header, buttons, tables and a couple new php files.

[Tsuri Japan]

you should move some of the products that you're going to sell into the index. I had to find your products and that's not good..... even if you just put some non clickable product images in the index that would be a good idea.

 

Nigelman :thumbsup:

[everyth5]

None of your links are working. The buttons gifs dont even show.

 

GREAT looking site though! :D

[abra123cadabra]

Let's go for some first impressions and feedback.

 

1 - The link in your post gives it away. It's about fundraising. I like the colours you chose for the site. They are cheerful.

 

2 - The homepage has too much text. When I arrive on a page I want to be able to immediately tell what it is about. Your images on the homepage are nice but don't help me grasp what it is all about.

 

3 - Had problems to find the products too. Your list with the catalogues is fine but only clicking on the picture gets you to the shop. Make the catalogue title a link too.

 

4 - I'm not very familiar with fundraising/charities. I know they come round to pick up unwanted clothes etc. to sell in their shops and the proceedings are used to finance cancer research etc. Give some more info about how shopping with your site benefits charities/groups. I would also like to know how much of the proceedings go to the selected group. There must be enough money in the purchase to buy the item from your supplier, to give to the fundraising group and of course for you as the operator of the shop.

 

5 - I'm also not familiar with the catalogues you have on offer but I have seen them in osC shops quite often recently. There has never been mentioned that these collections are connected to fundraising. Maybe give some more info here too.

 

6 - I started the straight forward way: Select a catalogue and start browsing through the products. Add one to the shopping cart.

 

7 - Your product images need a thumbnail contribution for better image quality.

 

8 - Underneath the catalogue listing is the shopping cart and shopping for which have links. Obviously I can select a group but there is no info about how it works. If I haven't read the bit on the homepage I have no clue.

 

9 - Parts of your pages are not good to read. Black on blue is very hard to read. Same goes for white on light blue (date and requests since). White on dark blue is also not good. White on black same problem. Worst of all: all variations mixed on the page (ie. catalog/Order_Info.php).

 

10 - When hovering over the next link for the next product listing page there is some bright yellow which definitely has to go.

 

11 - So I have clicked on add to cart in the product listing. If I don't know that the cart is displayed at the bottom of the page I have no clue if something happened or not. It should go above the fold.

 

12 - Now I scrolled down and want to go to pay.... but there is no link or button near your shopping cart infobox. I know it's most likely at the top but I'm checking osC shops several times a day. Granny from next door certainly doesn't know.

 

13 - I choose pay without account and get a nice lecture about having to give my details again next time I shop with you. Fair enough. So now I'm convinced creating an account is much better. Where is the link to do that at this stage?

 

14 - Once I'm in the shop parts there is no link to FAQ or further info about you.

 

15 - Couldn't find any information about who you are, where you are, phone number, business address.... only email and contact form.

 

Overall navigation on your site is very difficult and not optimized for the main purpose: sell products to raise funds.

 

abra

[spax]

You use Java Applets for navigation - which is so unnecessary! I hate applets and have them disallowed by default, therefore, I had no navigation links.

[Guest]

Hi there,

 

Abra gave you alot of excellent information.

 

Your main page, need to optimize the graphics just a tad more - page was slow loading for us poor ol' dialup folks.

 

Personally, your text there on the main page is tucked too close to the left column nav buttons .... need to either decrease the size or delete the circular graphics on the right in order for the text to be scooted over to the right a tad. You don't want to just decrease the width of the text area because that will cause the text to be pushed down, resulting in a longer page. Actually, just clicked on eCatelogs - this goes for your whole site it seems....

 

You need to optimize the images for your catelogs - they load too slowly and are a tad fuzzy. Also, make their title to the left above the associated text a clickable link ....

 

The spacing between the title of Town Square and it's text is great - but the three catelogs below it has spacing issues..... take a look.

 

Clicked on Town Square - "Lets see what we have here" - needs to go and be replaced with more appropriate text.

 

Products - their individual page - Need to tighten up the table from 100% to something like 85% or such - it's too spread out to the edges.

 

Install the Ultimate SEO URLs to make your URLs html = search engine friendly. Same with Header Tags Controller.

 

Click to enlarge image = worked great on my end.

 

Product listing page - images take too long to load - might lose a customer if they have to sit and wait for these images to load before deciding which one to click further on .

 

Yes - especially for a fundraising type site - you need to add your company's physical address, phone number, alternate email addy's, etc etc. Give people a level of trust in you.

 

FAQ page - nicely laid out. Tip, add some cellpadding so the text isn't butt up against the table border ... give some cushion. "How do I get info about my organization?" "Just call us ...." ummm, where's your phone number then ??? It's not on the contact us page. Oh wait, it's two questions down on the page. hmmmmm.

 

Overall, an awesome site with great potential. I love the concept on what you did with well-used product line (SMC, A1AGifts)....

 

The font colors on the site is a tad harsh - perhaps make the table background for the text area to be white, use black font, thus the text stands out, easier to read, and you keep the dark blue design going ....

 

Great job thus far!