Looking for a all in one solution

[tim_ver]

I know before Ii have seen postings for Template monster and asking for help and people all chime in that the websites are poorly coded and done so they are hard to troubleshoot and fix. I was looking for an all in one option like this for another site I am doing. I looked on this site under Partners and could not believe template monster is there and it says "If you're looking to build a successful osCommerce web store, Template Monster is the place to get started today."

 

Now I am confused are they good or if they are not. I did find this one Algozone and they are using the latest release but wanted to see if anyone here has other idea sites or suggestions.

 

 

Thanks

[♥zelf]

Now I am confused are they good or if they are not.

 

We tried an osCommerce Template Monster template one time. I repeat one time. It was a train wreck. They had completely ruined the code base and introduced some very poorly written php code. Again, we only downloaded one template so may there may be others that are properly coded, but I would be wary.

 

I would suggest if you are up to it, install osC directly from osCommerce's download site. This way you know the code is secure and that you will be able to add contributions of your choice fairly easily. Then hire a graphic artist to develop graphics for your site and then starting making the html changes needed to adapt osC to your graphics.

[tim_ver]

How hard is it to do the graphic template work?

 

Is there a book or pdf, etc out there to give some step by step help of some type?

 

Thanks

[npn2531]

I have looked, briefly, at Template monster. I would be interested to know more specifically what was poorly written? My interest is that I write things in php for my site from time to time, and could learn from hearing how other people evaluate code.

[burt]

All you need to do to see how poor a TM template is coded is get hold of one and install it.

 

The reason why TM is showing as a preferred partner is because they pay money to be preferred. Money talks, which is why the community don't know about the best template providers out there.

[♥zelf]

I would be interested to know more specifically what was poorly written?

 

For example, several things did not work as they would have in a clean osC install, like adding items to your cart. They also did not follow basic php coding (PHP Coding Standards) standards or even osC coding guidelines.

[tim_ver]

Anyone ever look at a template from Algozone.com?

 

They are using the latest release of OsCommerce and they seem to be solid but not 100% sure.

 

Thanks