ShopSite, Inc. recently released ShopSite version 6.1. Some of the new features in v6.1 include:
For a complete list of new features and enhancements in ShopSite 6.1, please go to this page.
ShopSite comes with several themes and templates that merchants can choose from to layout the pages and products in their store. Templates help to separate the content (e.g. product description) from the layout (e.g. page design.) With templates, a merchant doesn't need to know HTML or JavaScript coding, but instead can focus on the product information and promotion.
What if none of the built-in templates provide the layout that you want? ShopSite has several ways to customize the look of your store:
The most powerful method for customizing your store is available in ShopSite Starter, Manager, and Pro -- ShopSite's Custom Templates.
Custom page and product templates give a designer complete control over the layout of a store's pages and the layout of product information. Custom templates are text files that contain standard HTML tags and ShopSite custom template tags that define where information from the ShopSite databases is to appear. Once a merchant or designer has created a custom template containing the appropriate HTML or JavaScript layout code, the merchant can use it and not worry about any formatting codes.
Here are a few sites that have their pages generated using Custom Templates:
So how do you create a custom template? ShopSite's online help documentation can give you or your designer all the details. If you do not have a designer, ShopSite has a list of designers that we have certified.
The following was posted on the ShopSite Newsgroup:
"How do I accept payments via PayPal?"
Solution
ShopSite has two configurable payment types called Generic Payment Options that you can configure and call them anything you want. In this case name one option 'PayPal', and then have one field named 'PayPal account name (email address)' or something like that. Once you receive their order through ShopSite the payment type would indicate PayPal, you would then login to PayPal and bill them.
-Lisa www.beautycafe.com
Submit a Tip
Do you have a marketing or ShopSite tip you'd like to share with other merchants? If so, submit it to
Q: I use the same template for all my products assigned to a page, so why is the image alignment on the More Info Page not consistent?
A: When you publish your store, the pages are generated based on the order in which they were originally created (i.e. the first page created is the first page generated.) More Info Pages are only generated once while ShopSite is publishing your store, even if the product is assigned to multiple pages. They take their alignment from the page template for the first page that the product is assigned to. So if some products are assigned to multiple pages, their More Info Page alignment will follow the alignment of the first page to be generated and may not be what is expected for other pages.
Solutions:
Q: Authorize.Net is now requiring new accounts to be set to Password Required mode. In addition, merchants will now be required to change their passwords periodically as prompted by the system. Do I need to do anything to my ShopSite configuration when I change my Authorize.Net password?
A: Yes, each time you change the password on your Authorize.Net account, you must change the password in ShopSite otherwise transactions will be rejected. Also note that the Authorize.Net Password Required mode is only supported in ShopSite v6.0 and greater.
ShopSite, Inc. is One of Utah's Fastest Growing Companies - ShopSite was presented the "Top 25 under 5" award by the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum. The award is for Utah companies that have been in existence for 5 years or less and that have exhibited rapid growth. Read more about the award here.
SureFire Commerce Inc. (TSX: FIR) announced that it has established a partnership with ShopSite. SureFire Commerce offers a multi-currency payment solution and has an international presence. Read more here.
The Art of E-Commerce Web Design
E-commerce.internet.com/how/build/article/0,,10362_963771,00.html
"Most online shoppers have little time to waste on brand-building Flash, sluggish multimedia plug-ins, overindulgent mission statements or content that serves no end. As Gartner research suggests, convenience, usability and marketing clarity are so important they rank even higher in importance than price for online shoppers."
Using Color on the Internet
E-commerce.internet.com/how/build/article/0,,10362_956001,00.html
"When used properly, color can be a thing of beauty. When used improperly, it can be reasonably repulsive. That is why it is important to use good combinations, particularly on business sites where appearance reflects on the company that owns the site. It is crucial to consider the most likely audience. A bright, colorful, and peppy site may look good and be great for a younger audience, while an older audience may prefer something with more subdued colors (and larger type for ease of reading)."
Most recent release of ShopSite:
To upgrade your ShopSite store, contact your authorized reseller hosting partner.
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