template re-design

[Petre]

Hi,

 

I have OSC installed and made changes to template width, background, images, colours etc. but would really like to have a completely different layout from the default template.

 

What I need to do is to create a simple layout with the following:

- a header to include the company logo and a security seal; just underneath the company logo to have the search bar, the currency selector, and a language selector instead of flags (indeed, having those flags as links to various language versions might be ok for a site that uses only a few languages, but what happens if you have a lot more than 3 or 4 languages? Also, you wouldn't want to offend native English speakers who are from the US or Ireland for example and who only see a UK flag), and breadcrumbs;

- no right-hand column;

- the left-hand column to include: the product listing by categories, an opt-in box (for those who want to subscribe to the newsletter, for example), a gift certificate box; an info box with links to various informational pages of our site;

- the container to include: at the top: a box for a video clip, and just beside (to the right of) the videoclip box to have one box about "Special offers" and another one for "Latest product";

- the bottom part of the container: "Featured products" or "Our bestsellers" with 3 products across.

 

What do I need to get to be able to achieve all of the above, please?

 

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[lindsayanng]

In order to achieve that, you should read through the knowledge base and learn about the oscommerce file structure. If you still can not do it, or do not want to learn, you can hire a developer

[Petre]

In order to achieve that, you should read through the knowledge base and learn about the oscommerce file structure. If you still can not do it, or do not want to learn, you can hire a developer

I prefer to change the layout and design of the default template myself and to add some extra functionality as well (such as adding an opt-in box, embedding video, SEO friendly URLs etc.)

 

What tools would you recommend for this? (Ideally something that would allow the use of various OSC contributions, plug-ins, add-ons and future upgrades).

 

Would dreamweaver and photoshop elements be a good option or maybe STS/BTS or something better?

 

Your suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Hotclutch]

I prefer to change the layout and design of the default template myself and to add some extra functionality as well (such as adding an opt-in box, embedding video, SEO friendly URLs etc.)

 

What tools would you recommend for this? (Ideally something that would allow the use of various OSC contributions, plug-ins, add-ons and future upgrades).

 

Would dreamweaver and photoshop elements be a good option or maybe STS/BTS or something better?

 

Your suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

Maybe you should be more specific with your questions, you will get better quality answers then. You do not need any special tools to implement the add-ons found here. All the instructions are in the download packages.

[Petre]

Maybe you should be more specific with your questions, you will get better quality answers then. You do not need any special tools to implement the add-ons found here. All the instructions are in the download packages.

I only started using OSC recently, and when I said "tools", I was referring to html, css and php editors to help me customize the template (both layout and design). :blink: Any suggestions, please?

[lindsayanng]

osc itself is not a "template" it is the base for creating your own template.

 

The ONLY thing you can use to edit oscommerce is a plain text editor. You CAN use dreamweaver IN CODE MODE ONLY or notepad++

 

Just realize that you can not edit oscommerce in ANY type WYSIWYG style. Implementing something as simlple as a new table or text, or even changing colors is going to be a lot harder and more complicated than just a basic website.. which is WHY i told you to get started by reading a LOT in the knowledge base

[158bev]

I only started using OSC recently, and when I said "tools", I was referring to html, css and php editors to help me customize the template (both layout and design). :blink: Any suggestions, please?

 

 

STS 4.5.8 helps alot.

You can download it on the contributions section and its easy to install.

Once you work with it a bit you'll figure out how you can customize your site.

You can design a html template and just place the for ex: "$categoriesbox" in the tables of the html document

and it will put that section in wherever you want it.

 

Just give it a shot I think it will help you alot.