Tomato Cart Userguide

TomatoCart User Guide

Elootec Technology Co., Ltd.

Edition 1.0

April 2010

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface.............................................................................................1

About This Guide......................................................................................................1What This Guide Covers..........................................................................................1Who This Guide is for...............................................................................................1Conventions.............................................................................................................2Getting Help.............................................................................................................2

Chapter 1: Introduction...................................................................3

What is TomatoCart?................................................................................................3TomatoCart License.................................................................................................3Store Front and Administration Panel......................................................................3

Store Front...........................................................................................................................3

Blocks................................................................................................................................................3

Functions...........................................................................................................................................4

Administration Panel............................................................................................................5

Desktop Environment.......................................................................................................................5

Setting Desktop.................................................................................................................................6

Managing Modules...........................................................................................................................9

Chapter 2: Getting Started.............................................................12

System Requirements............................................................................................12References:........................................................................................................................12

System Requirements:.......................................................................................................12

Downloading TomatoCart.......................................................................................12Installing TomatoCart..............................................................................................12

Preinstallation Procedure...................................................................................................13

Web Based Installation Procedure.....................................................................................13

Starting Installation Procedure........................................................................................................13

Configuring Database Server..........................................................................................................13

I

Table of Contents

Configuring Web Server..................................................................................................................14

Configuring Online Shops..............................................................................................................15

Completing Installation...................................................................................................................16

Uninstallation Procedure....................................................................................................16

Chapter 3: Starting Your Store......................................................17

General Configuration............................................................................................17Wizard Configuration..........................................................................................................17

Store Configuration.........................................................................................................................17

E-Mail Options Configuration........................................................................................................19

Shipping/Packaging Configuration.................................................................................................20

Basic configuration.............................................................................................................21

My Store..........................................................................................................................................21

Minimum Values/Maximum Values................................................................................................21

Images.............................................................................................................................................22

Customer Details.............................................................................................................................22

Shipping/Packaging........................................................................................................................23

Product Listing................................................................................................................................23

Stock................................................................................................................................................24

Product Details................................................................................................................................26

Order Settings.................................................................................................................................27

E-Mail Options................................................................................................................................27

Regulations......................................................................................................................................28

Credit Cards....................................................................................................................................28

Program Locations..........................................................................................................................29

Sales Preparation...................................................................................................29Shipping ............................................................................................................................29

Flat Rate..........................................................................................................................................29

Free Shipping..................................................................................................................................30

Per Item...........................................................................................................................................30

Table Rate........................................................................................................................................30

USPS...............................................................................................................................................31

II

Table of Contents

Zone Rates.......................................................................................................................................31

Payment.............................................................................................................................32

Payment Modules............................................................................................................................32

Settings of Authorize.net Credit Card ............................................................................................32

Currencies.......................................................................................................................................34

Credit Cards....................................................................................................................................35

Zones and Tax....................................................................................................................35

Countries ........................................................................................................................................36

Zone Groups....................................................................................................................................36

Tax Classes......................................................................................................................................36

Order..................................................................................................................................38

Order Status.....................................................................................................................................38

Order Total Modules.......................................................................................................................38

Other Configuration................................................................................................39Emails Templates ..............................................................................................................39

Information.........................................................................................................................39

GeoIP Modules...................................................................................................................40

Services..............................................................................................................................40

Chapter 4: Designing Your Store..................................................44

Logo........................................................................................................................44Uploading Store Logo........................................................................................................44

Templates...............................................................................................................44Applying Template..............................................................................................................44

Modules..................................................................................................................45Module Introduction............................................................................................................45

Boxes ..............................................................................................................................................46

Content............................................................................................................................................47

Displaying Modules............................................................................................................47

Boxes...............................................................................................................................................47

Content............................................................................................................................................49

Uninstalling Modules..........................................................................................................50

Uninstalling in all templates...........................................................................................................50

III

Table of Contents

Uninstalling in specific templates...................................................................................................50

Chapter 5: Setting Up Your Catalog..............................................51

Simple Products.....................................................................................................51Manufacturers ...................................................................................................................52

Adding Manufacturers....................................................................................................................52

Checking Manufacturer of Product.................................................................................................52

Displaying Manufacturers in the Product Listing...........................................................................53

Manufacturers Related Modules.....................................................................................................54

Weight Classes..................................................................................................................55

Adding Weight Classes...................................................................................................................55

Checking Weight Class of Product..................................................................................................55

Quantity Discount Groups/Customer Groups....................................................................56

Adding Customer Groups...............................................................................................................56

Adding Quantity Discount Groups.................................................................................................57

Checking Product Quantity Discount Groups.................................................................................58

Product Quantity Discount Groups in the Frontend........................................................................58

Product Quantity Units.......................................................................................................59

Adding Quantity Units....................................................................................................................59

Checking Quantity Units of Product...............................................................................................59

Categories .........................................................................................................................59

Adding Categories...........................................................................................................................59

Move Category ...............................................................................................................................60

Checking Categories of Product.....................................................................................................61

Categories in Frontend....................................................................................................................61

Product Variants.................................................................................................................61

Adding Variants...............................................................................................................................62

Checking Variants of Product..........................................................................................................62

Product Attributes...............................................................................................................63

Adding Attributes............................................................................................................................63

Deleting Attributes..........................................................................................................................64

Choosing Attributes of A Product...................................................................................................64

IV

Table of Contents

New Product ......................................................................................................................65

General ...........................................................................................................................................65

Meta Info.........................................................................................................................................65

Data.................................................................................................................................................66

Product Expected/Upcoming Product.............................................................................................67

Categories........................................................................................................................................67

Images.............................................................................................................................................68

Variants............................................................................................................................................68

Attributes.........................................................................................................................................69

Xsell Products.................................................................................................................................70

Virtual Products .....................................................................................................71Downloadable Products ........................................................................................71

Downloadable Product Options..........................................................................................71

Downloadable Products Related Modules.........................................................................72

Order Settings.................................................................................................................................72

Purchased Downloadables..............................................................................................................73

Gift Certificate Products ........................................................................................73Gift Certificate Options.......................................................................................................74

Gift Certificates Related Modules.......................................................................................74

Order Settings.................................................................................................................................75

Gift Certificates...............................................................................................................................75

Chapter 6: Managing Customers And Orders..............................76

Managing Customers.............................................................................................76Customer Self-help............................................................................................................76

Registration.....................................................................................................................................76

My Account.....................................................................................................................................78

My Orders.......................................................................................................................................79

My Wishlist.....................................................................................................................................81

My Notifications.............................................................................................................................83

Customer Account Administration......................................................................................83

Registration ....................................................................................................................................83

Customer Track...............................................................................................................................85

V

Table of Contents

Organizing Customer Groups ...........................................................................................87

Adding a Customer Group..............................................................................................................87

Assigning Customers to Customer Groups.....................................................................................87

Assigning Customer Groups to Quantity Discount Groups............................................................88

Managing Customer-Generated Content...........................................................................88

Search .............................................................................................................................................88

Compare Products...........................................................................................................................91

Tell A Friend....................................................................................................................................91

Customer Reviews..........................................................................................................................92

Managing Orders ...................................................................................................94Order Management............................................................................................................95

Orders .............................................................................................................................................95

Purchased Downloadables............................................................................................................103

Gift Certificates.............................................................................................................................104

Invoices.........................................................................................................................................106

Abandoned Cart...............................................................................................................108

Sending an Inquiry Email ............................................................................................................108

Return Management........................................................................................................109

Return Requests............................................................................................................................109

Credit Slips....................................................................................................................................110

Reports.............................................................................................................................111

Product Report...............................................................................................................................111

Order Report..................................................................................................................................111

Chapter 7: Promotions................................................................112

Product Promotion Modules.................................................................................112New Products...................................................................................................................112

Boxes.............................................................................................................................................112

Content..........................................................................................................................................112

Also Purchased................................................................................................................112

Cross Sell Products..........................................................................................................113

Upcoming Products..........................................................................................................113

Product History.................................................................................................................113

VI

Table of Contents

Best Sellers......................................................................................................................114

Pricing...................................................................................................................114Quantity Discount Groups................................................................................................114

Specials ...........................................................................................................................114

Installing Specials.........................................................................................................................114

Adding Specials............................................................................................................................114

Batch Adding Specials..................................................................................................................115

Coupons and Store Credits..................................................................................116Coupons...........................................................................................................................116

Creating a new coupon..................................................................................................................116

Sending a coupon..........................................................................................................................118

Receiving Coupon Code Email.....................................................................................................119

Redeeming a Coupon in the Store Front.......................................................................................120

Viewing Redeem History..............................................................................................................121

Store Credits....................................................................................................................121

Checking Customers with Store Credits.......................................................................................121

Paying with Store Credits.............................................................................................................121

Store Credits in Orders..................................................................................................................122

RSS Feed.........................................................................................................................123

Subscribing RSS Feed...................................................................................................................123

Email Marketing....................................................................................................124System Emails.................................................................................................................124

Newsletter Management..................................................................................................124

Adding a newsletter .....................................................................................................................125

Sending Newsletters .....................................................................................................................125

Viewing a Log...............................................................................................................................126

Customer Emails..............................................................................................................127

Creating New Email Account.......................................................................................................127

Viewing Emails.............................................................................................................................130

Composing Emails........................................................................................................................131

Chapter 8: Improving Your Store...............................................133

Content Management ..........................................................................................133

VII

Table of Contents

Articles .............................................................................................................................133

Creating an article category..........................................................................................................133

Creating an article ........................................................................................................................133

Installing Article Categories..........................................................................................................134

FAQs................................................................................................................................134

Creating FAQs...............................................................................................................................134

Installing FAQs.............................................................................................................................135

Slide Images.....................................................................................................................135

Creating a new slide image...........................................................................................................135

Installing Slideshow......................................................................................................................135

Product Exhibition................................................................................................136Image Menu.....................................................................................................................136

Slideshow.........................................................................................................................137

Products Slider/Product Scroller......................................................................................137

Tools.....................................................................................................................138Administrator Role............................................................................................................138

Creating an Administrator.............................................................................................................138

Administrator Logs.......................................................................................................................138

Banner Management........................................................................................................139

Creating a banner..........................................................................................................................139

Previewing a banner......................................................................................................................140

Viewing the Statistics of a Banner................................................................................................140

Cache Control..................................................................................................................141

Database Backup Management.......................................................................................142

Restoring a backup........................................................................................................................142

File Management.............................................................................................................142

Import/Export ...................................................................................................................143

Exporting Customers' Details........................................................................................................143

Importing Customers' Details........................................................................................................144

Google Sitemaps..............................................................................................................145

Creating Sitemaps.........................................................................................................................145

Submitting Sitemaps to Google....................................................................................................146

Dashboard........................................................................................................................146

VIII

Table of Contents

Server Information............................................................................................................147

Languages............................................................................................................148Uploading a Language.....................................................................................................148

Importing a language.......................................................................................................148

Editing a Language..........................................................................................................148

Exporting a Language...................................................................................................................149

Editing translations of storefront.......................................................................................150

Index ...........................................................................................152

IX

Preface

Preface

About This GuideTomatoCart is a new generation of open source eCommerce solution by Elootec Technology Company. It is branched from osCommerce 3 as a separate project. TomatoCart covers nearly all the features a shopping cart could ever have and is continuing progress with its roadmap. Due to open source, support will be provided free of charge by our ever expanding community. Compared to other open source shopping carts, TomatoCart is unprecedentedly easy to use.

This guide demonstrates how to build an effective online store step by step. Besides, it shall update new information on more features released. With TomatoCart pre-installed, you thereafter need to construct your store by configuring, designing and improving it; to display your products with detailed information and by promotions; and to manage customers and orders for better service.

This document not only guides in a planned and organized way. We also intend to present this guide as simple as TomatoCart is, keep it as straight as TomatoCart Team does. When you are taking a glance at the contents, to find something interesting, go straight there. There you'll be informed of everything related to the topic, in details or by reference.

And just don't take our words for it! Try it yourself. See what a store looks with You and TomatoCart!

What This Guide CoversChapter I gives you an overview of TomatoCart, the project and the interfaces.

Chapter 2 guides you through TomatoCart system installation.

Chapter 3 focuses on configuring your store and setting rules for selling.

Chapter 4 shows your store designing, including logo upload, template use and module alteration.

Chapter 5 elaborates on product catalog building.

Chapter 6 deals with monitoring and managing customers, and orders from confirmation to return.

Chapter 7 introduces to you how to present your products by promotion.

Chapter 8 covers all you can do to improve your store, by enriching literal content, diversifying product display, using tools or adding languages.

Who This Guide is forThis guide is for anyone of you who want to create an online store with TomatoCart. If your knowledge base covers little about technology, never mind, this guide is just for you.

1

Preface

ConventionsYou will find different styles of text:

Tips point out extra functions which you are initially unaware of and which will improve your experience. Notes are always additional instructions, which you may ignore or get misled.

Getting HelpIf you have any questions or problems with this guide or TomatoCart, you may get help from:

• TomatoCart Knowledge Base

• TomatoCart Community

• TomatoCart Team (Contact us) .

2

TipTips appear in a frame like this.

NoteNotes appear in a frame like this.

http://www.tomatocart.com/index.php/about-us/contact-us

http://www.tomatocart.com/index.php/community

http://www.tomatocart.com/index.php/support/4-administration-tool

Chapter 1: Introduction


What is TomatoCart?TomatoCart is an innovative open source shopping cart solution. You can see here the most popular use of concepts, Web 2.0 Technology Ajax. You will also find the feature list with complete functions and increasingly more. Last but not least, you can hardly tear yourself away from the desktop-and-multiwindow administration panel with other shopping cart solution experience.

Since TomatoCart is open source software, it is downloadable for free at Store Demo.

TomatoCart LicenseTomatoCart is licensed under the terms of the Open Source GNU GPL 3.0 license. For more details please visit GNU General Public License.

If you have any questions about licensing you can send an email to Webmaster.

Store Front and Administration PanelYou may wonder how TomatoCart works. What will your store look like when you use TomatoCart? And what can you do with the store? You will find the explanation here. TomatoCart applies GUI (Graphic User Interface) to frontend, and RIA (Rich Internet Applications) to backend. By doing so,TomatoCart is designed to improve your experience.

Store Front

BlocksThree structural blocks comprise the store front. Each structural block is divided into several content blocks. The illustration below shows a typical TomatoCart page, highlighting content blocks.

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mailto:[email protected]

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html

http://www.tomatocart.com/index.php/products/store-demo


The table below lists content blocks as part of structural blocks.

Structural Block Number Content Block Note

Header 1 Store Logo Identity; link to homepage

2 Header Links Quick link to important and popular pages

Body 3 Navigation Bar Link to major information of the store

4 Breadcrumb Page hierarchy list; Link to parent page

5 Content Primary Content, in the middle of the page

6 Box Secondary Content, on the sides of the page

Footer 7 Footer Contain copyright, contact, legal information or other links

Table 1: Store Front Blocks

Structural blocks are fixed while content block within may vary. The variation results in different templates. Content block is made up of separate modules. TomatoCart offers a list of modules for choice. Each module carries out a respective function.

FunctionsVisitors/Customers, with different modules installed, may succeed in:

1. Creating personal account. With customer details preset in the backend, users have to follow and provide required information in order to create personal account. Then in the My Account

4

Illustration 1: Blocks


section, they may manage personal account information, orders, wishlist and notifications.

2. Finding Products, with the guidance of the following modules: Categories, Cross Sell Products, New Products, Upcoming Products, Best Sellers, Specials, Your Recent History, Customer Who Purchased This Products Also Purchased and Search.

3. Purchasing with the help of Shop by Price, Manufacturers, Manufacturer Info, Compare Products, Cross-Sell Products, Ordering Steps, Multi-currencies, Multilingual and Shopping Cart.

4. Completing checkout procedures: Login, filling billing information, choosing shipping method, selecting payment method, reviewing orders and confirming.

5. Finding information about stores with Article Categories, FAQs and Information.

6. Serving themselves with Register, Login/out, My Account, My Wishlist, Tell A Friend, Product Notifications, Reviews and Templates.

Administration Panel

Desktop EnvironmentTomatoCart's administration panel mimics the user experience of Desktop Operating System, offering features similar to a PC environment. It is supposed to ease store administration. Meanwhile, TomatoCart surprises the eCommerce solution world again by multiwindow operation, which improves efficiency and which no any other eCommerce solution do up to now. The illustration below is the screenshot of the admin panel.

5

Illustration 2: Administration Panel


The table below indicates the administration panel components.

No. Component Note

1 Desktop Operation environment

2 Powered by TomatoCart Link to TomatoCart official site. It's not allowed to delete at any use.

3 Module shortcut Quick link to important modules

4 Start menu Launch modules

5 Module window Manage modules

6 Sidebar Real-time monitor

7 Task bar Start; Quickstart to launch and monitor modules; set the desktop

Table 2: Administration Panel

Setting DesktopTomatoCart administration panel does not look like desktop behind the Windows In a GUI only, but works similarly. Click “setting your desktop” icon on the right side of the task bar and begin to set your desktop! Each time an item is edited here, it will be marked with an little red triangle.

Modules Setting

All the modules at the backend except the Language Module are listed in the module setting window. You may have any of the items Autorun, Quickstart, Shortcut or in the Context Menu. The illustration below shows the module setting window, taking Content Module as an example.

1. Autorun

6

Illustration 3: Modules Setting


Article Categories is set to autorun, so next time when system starts this item will run automatically.

2. Quickstart

Article Categories, FAQs and Slide Images are quickstarted. As a result, you see them beside Start in the task bar. Only the first selected item FAQs is in there while the other two are hidden, due to the limited quickstart area by the separator. Drag the separator to extend or abridge.

3. Shortcut

Shortcut item Articles presents itself on the desktop with shortcut icon.

4. Context menu.

Right click the desktop, and items checked by Context menu, Slide Images in this case, will get listed in.

Theme Setting

Set the windows themes and taskbar transparency. The default setting in the illustration above is Vista Blue theme and 100% task bar transparency. The illustration below shows what the desktop looks like when changed to Vista Black theme and 20% task bar transparency.

Wallpaper Setting

The illustration below continues with the one above, setting wallpaper.

7

Illustration 4: Theme Setting


1. WallpaperBlank or in picture.

2. PositionTiled or centered.

3. Background colorCustomize favorite background color in Color Picker.

4. Font colorChoose one in Color Picker.

Sidebar Setting

Decorate admin panel as well as keep informed of the realtime information at online store to simplify store management at the same time. The following figure illustrates the Sidebar Setting page.

8

Illustration 5: Wallpaper Setting


1. Display Sidebar

Select it in sidebar setting to display, or deselect it to not display.

2. Add gadgets

Double click one gadget; or left click one gadget and drag it to the sidebar panel.

3. Transparency

Change the sliderbar value to adjust the transparency of the sidebar.

4. Background Color

Choose your favorite in Color Picker.

5. Sidebar Toolbar

Configuration button: Show/Hide sidebar setting;

Pagination button: Show all activated gadgets;

Close button: Close sidebar.

6. ShortCut

Go to corresponding module when gadget/record is clicked.

7. Close gadget

A close icon appears when the mouse is over the gadget.

8. Click to fold or unfold the sidebar.

Managing ModulesThere are altogether nine main modules in the backend. Each includes several sub-modules and

9

Illustration 6: Sidebar Setting


regulates different aspect of the store.

• Content focuses on articles, FAQs and slide images. It is referred to in Chapter 8 Improve Your Store.

• Configuration is made up of wizard configuration and basic configuration, referred to in Chapter 3 Starting Your Store.

• Catalog is all about product details. Refer product editing of categories, variants, etc, to Chapter 5 Setting up Your Catalog. Refer Reviews to Chapter 6 Managing Customers and Orders. Refer pricing (Quantity Discount Groups and Specials ) and product variety (Xsell products and Products Expected) to Chapter 7 Promotions.

• Customers directs to customer management (Customers, Customer Groups, Orders, Gift Certificates, etc). Refer Coupons and Customer Emails to Chapter 7.

• Definitions mainly concerns product setting (Product Quantity Units, Weight Classes and Image Groups) and setting for selling (Currencies, Credit Cards Zone Groups, etc ). Refer the former to Chapter 5. Refer the later to Chapter 3.

• Modules are associated with settings for selling too , in Chapter 3.

• Reports includes product reports and orders reports, in Chapter 6.

• Templates involves store identity and layout, largely in Chapter 4 Designing Your Store. Other chapters, when relating to certain module in template modules list, will refer Templates too.

• Tools discloses the most part of improving administration, in Chapter 8. Besides, Email Templates is borrowed by Chapter 3, Images by Chapter 5, Newsletter Manager by Chapter 7, Who's Online by Chapter 6.

As what we said above as multiwindow operation, you may manage several modules all at one time. These modules share some similar editing tools. Most of these tools are presented with icon and literal suggestion such as Add, Edit, to name a few. The table below lists commonly used icons and separate implications. (Others not commonly used will be specified in related section.)

10


Implication Icon Implication Icon

Add Install (Uninstall) ( )

Create Invoices Move

Credit Slips PDF Print

Date Refresh,

Default Search

Delete Send Email

Download Status (Enabled, Disabled) ,

Edit (Not Editable) ( ) Store Credits

Export Upload

Insert View

Table3: Common Button List

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Chapter 2: Getting Started


TomatoCart applies advanced technologies and is full-featured while it is not picky. It is widely available and is easy to install. This chapter tells about minimum system requirements to run a TomatoCart store. How to download and install TomatoCart.

System RequirementsTomatoCart can be installed on any server with PHP preinstalled and with access to a MySQL database server.

References:• PHP Website• Apache web server Website• MySQL Server Website

System Requirements:• Linux or Windows OS

• PHP v5.1.6+(with MySQL extension)

• MySQL v4.1.13+ or v5.0.7+

• Ext JS 2.2.1

Once you have a hosting environment set up with support for these requirements, you are able to download and install TomatoCart on your server.

Downloading TomatoCartTomatoCart is free to download. Just go to Tomatocart Download Page.

If you have successfully downloaded TomatoCart you are now ready to install the software on your web server or your localhost.

Installing TomatoCartThe TomatoCart project contains a web-based installation component, and it is fairly easy to install. The following instructions will remark how to get started with installing TomatoCart.

12

http://www.tomatocart.com/index.php/downloads/download-tomatocart


Preinstallation ProcedureTomatoCart has a built-in web based automatic installation system. However, in order to use this system, the source code should at first be unpacked to a web server either on your local computer or on an internet host.

Once extracted, {TomatoCart-directory} containing the TomatoCart codes will be displayed under the extracted directory. The contents of this {TomatoCart-directory}needs to be moved to your web server, either by copying the directory to your localhost or by using an FTP program to upload them to your internet host.

You will then need to run the web based installation procedure in a browser and follow up the instructions described in the procedure.

Web Based Installation Procedure

Starting Installation ProcedureTo start with the web-based installation of TomatoCart, you need to open a browser and type in the URL.

If you are running on your own computer, this will be: http://localhost/tomatocart-directory/install.

Or if you are on a live server,it will be: http://www.mydomain.com/install/ .

You then only need to follow the prompts and fill in all the blanks to finish the installation procedure. Noticeably, the welcome page on the illustration below should be first shown on the web browser, and the installation procedure can get started by clicking "install a new online shop".

Configuring Database ServerThe database server configuration step is required for configuring the required structure information in the database, in the form of tables and data relationships.

The configuration page is shown in the illustration below. Information needed for this step should have been acquired during the pre-installation procedure.

• Database Server• Username• Password• Database Name

13

Illustration 7: Welcome Page of Installation


The following information is required before you continue the next step:

1. Database ServerThe address in the form of a host name or an IP address.

2. UsernameTo connect to the database server.

3. PasswordUsed together with the username to connect to the database server

4. DatabaseName to hold data in.

5. DatabaseType: the database software that is used.

6. DatabaseTable Prefix to use for the database tables.

Configuring Web ServerThe web server configuration step is required to correctly configure the navigation links used within TomatoCart.

1. WWW AddressThe web address to the online store.

2. Web server Root Directory

14

Illustration 8: Database Server Configuration

Illustration 9: Web Server Configuration


Directory where the online store is installed on the server.3. Work Directory

The work directory for temporarily created files. This directory should be located outside the public web server root directory for security.(Shared hosting servers should be used /tmp/)

Configuring Online ShopsOnline store settings is used to configure the basic information of the store. Information shown in the following figure could be used to log in the administration panel.

1. Store Name, Owner Name;

2. Email AddressThis is the one for any emails sent through your website.

3. Administrator Username and Password for the administrator account. The illustration below shows the login page of administration panel.

15

Illustration 10: Online Shopping Settings

Illustration 11: Login Page


4. To log out, find “Logout” under admin, as you see in the following illustration.

5. Import Sample Data. Inserting sample data into the database is recommended for first-time installations.

Completing InstallationAfter finishing the previous configuration steps the installation procedure is completed, and you can go to either the frontend or the backend of your live online shop now.

Uninstallation ProcedureIt's east to uninstall TomatoCart, three steps are included in uninstallation procedure:

1. Stop the web server and database on which your TomatoCart is installed. 2. Delete the {TomatoCart-Folder} from the current directory of your Web server. 3. Delete your TomatoCart database.

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Illustration12: Log out

NoteThe language list is the same as the one in admin> Definitions> Languages except that the default language (English) is in the first place in Login page.

Chapter 3: Starting Your Store


After installing, you are actually having your store on TomatoCart as real estate. Then you'll need to think about constructing store with your own styles and and making selling rules. Specifically, make decisions of how your customers and potential customers can contact you, what kind of product information to present to them, how to ship and pay, and how to manage the Reviews module, to name a few.

General ConfigurationGeneral configuration concerns about store information, product details and purchasing options.

Wizard ConfigurationYou can make a quick configuration of your store under the admin>Configuration>Configuration Wizard section. Wizard items are primary settings of basic configuration, which covers all the required fields under Configuration> Configuration. In another word, these items are distributed into the corresponding modules in the Configuration section. Each update in Wizard Installation will have the same effect on the one in Configuration. Vice versa.

Without further ado, look at the steps in which you can set up basic information for your store easily.

Store ConfigurationJust follow the instructions as in the illustration below.

17


• Store name and store owner name, as you have defined in Configuring Online Shops;

• Country and zone, which is required considering tax and shipping calculation.

• Tax decimal place;

• Invoice start number, which is to define the start number of invoices;

• Store address, including store name, and phone. It will display in the store front as contact information, as in the following illustration.

Find more in My Store under the admin>Configuration> Configuration>My Store section.

18

Illustration13: Store Configuration

Illustration14: Contact


E-Mail Options Configuration

• E-Mail address

As you have defined in Configuring Online Shops. There should be a single Email address;

• E-Mail From

It will tell where emails are from. A single Email address too;

• Send Extra Order Emails To

Extra Email addresses for backups. If the store owner's Email is not in this listing the store owner will not be notified of an order. Whereas the 'E-Mail Address' above is for only one entry, this is how to effectively add addresses to that function.

• E-Mail Transport Method

If SMTP protocol is selected, the fields of SMTP Host, SMTP Port, SMTP Username and SMTP Password are required. If sendmail protocol is set, these above fields are not editable. More information, go to Email Options.

• Send E-Mails

Set to True to send Emails to the customers when they register or checkout after purchase and set to False to disable the sending of Emails to customers.

Find more in E-Mail Options under the admin>Configuration> Configuration>E-Mail Options section.

19

Illustration15: E-Mail Options


Shipping/Packaging Configuration

Shipping/Packaging information entered here will be used in shipping quote.

• Country of Original

It may differ from Country in Store Configuration if your store does cross-border business.

• Postal Code

• Enter the Maximum Package Weight you will ship

Carriers have a weight limit for a single package.

• Package Tare Weight

This is the weight of your shipping box and packing materials. This weight is added to that of products when computing postage.

• Larger Packages-Percentage Increase

This is the minimum portion of packing material for large orders. By setting this to 10, a large order package increases its weight by 10%.

TomatoCart estimates the weight of packages as whichever is larger: the fixed Tare weight (product weight plus package tare weight), or the percentage increased of the product weight.

For example, set Tare weight=0.25 and Percentage=10. Then a 1-kilogram package gets 1.25 kilograms worth of postage (1.25>1.1). And 100 kilograms of product gets 110 kilograms worth of postage (110>100.25).

• Default Shipping Unit

The unit of weight to be used for shipping is set as Grams, Kilograms, Ounces, or Pounds.

Find more in E-Mail Options under the admin>Configuration> Configuration>E-Mail Options

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Illustration16: Shipping/Packaging


section.

Basic configurationSince wizard configuration deals with must-haves, your store is supposed to go with them alone simple and crude. In order to make it more applicable and considerate to your customers, you have to brighten it up a bit with more details. Configuration under admin> Configuration divides into 14 sub-sections so as to present your store even more descriptive. It devotes quite a large portion to yes-or-no and how-many questions.

My StoreThis section mainly deals with store configuration and Email options as in Wizard Configuration. Additional options are:

• Allow Guest to Tell a Friend

We suggest you set to True in view of word-of-mouth marketing.

• Display Prices with Tax

Display by setting to "True", or not by setting “False”, up to you.

Minimum Values/Maximum ValuesDefine the following values:

• Credit Card Owner Name:

The minimum number of letters of owner's name, including both the first and the last name.

• Credit Card Number

The minimum length.

• Review Text

The minimum number of words for a customer to complete a review.

• Search Results

The maximum number of products listed in each product page. Of course you may turn pages to see more, if any. The screenshot below shows “Apple” search results when setting the maximum value to 1.

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• Page Links

The maximum navigation number at the bottom of the product listing.

• Order History

The maximum number of orders to display in each order history page.

• New Products Listing

The maximum number of new products to display in each new products page.

• Categories to List Per Row

The maximum number of sub-categories each row is to list in each

category page.

• Address Book Entries

The maximum number of address entries a customer shall have.

Images• Heading Image Width & Height

Define the uniform size of category image showing in the upper right corner of the text body.

• Image Required or not.

Set Image Required to true, then all images in the store will list with the misnamed one blank. Set to false, so that all the images that are valid will show while the blank ones because of misnaming will not.

Customer DetailsYou determine here what kind of information is necessary for customer registration and what numeral requirements it has. This section will work the same on both frontend registration and backend registration.

Customer details include account information and address information.

• Account

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Illustration17: Search results


Gender, first name, last name, date of birth, email address, newsletter subscription and password.

• AddressCompany name, street address, suburb, post code, city, state, country, telephone number and fax number.

Evaluate each item:

• True valuedThat item is mandatory, and will display with * except Newsletter.

• Optional valuedThat item is not required and will still display. Customers may fill in the field or not.

• False valuedThat item is not required and will not display.

• Numeral valuedThat item is required and has a minimum character limitation.

The following screenshot illustrates these valued items.

Since password was entered yet not following the Customer Details rule, you may continue and encounter a dialog box reminding “Errors have occurred during the process of your form. Please make the following corrections: Your Password must contain a minimum of 5 characters.” Customers are enabled to continue until they have their passwords in the right quantity.

Shipping/PackagingThis section is a perfect copy of that in Wizard Configuration .

Product ListingThe Product Listing section configures the product listing page, as the name suggests. It arranges a list of product details available in the store front in column form, using numerals. You will see the list in the following illustration, which also points out numeral implication.

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Illustration18: My Account Details


The store front exhibits accordingly like this

StockStock is an inventory management tool for store owners to keep track of all products inventory.

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Illustration19: Product Listing Configuration

0:Disable

Other(1，2，3…):

Sort Order

0:Disable

Other(1，2，3…):

Sort Order

Illustration20: Product Listing Page

Enable Manufacturer Filter

Navigation Bar at the Bottom

Enabled; In order

Enable Manufacturer Filter

Navigation Bar at the Bottom

Enabled; In order


There are five stock settings as the above illustration shows.

• Check Stock Level

Check stock level is used to check whether sufficient stock is available in your store. Check by setting to True, or not by setting to False, up to you.

• Subtract Stock

If set to True, Subtract Stock subtracts product out of stock each time a customer orders it. Set to False, and this function will be turned off. The following figure illustrates a product's quantity after purchasing if Subtract Stock is set to True(original quantity is 10).

• Allow Checkout

Set to True to allow customers to checkout even if there is insufficient stock. Set to False, and the operation will be forbidden. The following illustration shows allowing checkout while the product's quantity is not sufficient for purchasing.

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Illustration 22: Products

Illustration 21: Stock


• Mark Product out of Stock

This function displays info on screen to notify customer that product is out of stock. The default mark in TomatoCart store uses asterisks ***, which will be seen as the above illustration shows.

• Stock Re-order Level

An amount is entered to define when stock needs to be reordered. If the value is set to ”5”, you could check the quantities of products below “5” under admin>Reports>Products Reports>Low Stock.

Product DetailsThe Product Details section lists concrete product information, to be displayed or not in the store front, including Display Product Quantity, Minimum Order Quantity and Product Order Increment.

Set “Display Product Quantity” to “1”, for example, and products will display with their quantity available in the store front. Set to “0”, and it will not. Note that all the three fields can set to either “0” or “1”.

The figure below illustrates a Product Info page when the three entries are set to “1”.

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Illustration 24: Low Stock

Illustration 23: Shopping Cart-Allow Checkout


Order SettingsThe Order Settings section is specifically used to configure the Downloadable Product and Gift Certificate Product (described later). More information about this, please refer to Order Settings.

E-Mail OptionsPart of options in this section are the same as it in Wizard Configuration. Additional options are:

• Email Transport Method

Sendmail

TomatoCart is able to send emails containing HTML or plain text to the customer. Sendmail is a Unix protocol of sending mails,while SMTP protocol is mostly used on Windows/Mac servers. If the webserver is a Windows server, use SMTP and if the webserver is Unix based, then use sendmail. To ensure the correct functioning of the emails to be sent to the customers, the following settings need to be set.

E-Mail Transport Method = Sendmail

E-Mail Linefeeds = LF

SMTP

An SMTP mail server is most commonly used when hosting websites on Windows based servers.

To ensure the correct functioning of the emails to be sent to the customers, the following settings need to be set.

E-Mail Transport Method = SMTP

E-Mail Linefeeds = CRLF

• Email Linefeeds

Email Linefeeds defines the character sequence used to separate mail headers. Unix/Linux uses LF alone to separate lines (new line character) but Windows uses a combination of CR & LF ( CRLF Line feed).

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Illustration 25: Product Info Page


Set to LF if you are on a Unix/Linux server and set to CRLF if you are on a Windows server.

• SMTP Server: The domain name of email account server.

• SMTP Server Port: The port of SMTP server.

• SMTP Username: The email address

• SMTP Password: The email account password

• Use MIME HTML When Sending Emails

Sending MIME type determines the content of mail like txt/html, txt/xml, etc. Set to true for HTML emails and false for plain text emails.

• Verifying Email Addresses through DNS

TomatoCart is able to verify Email addresses by contacting the name server for a domain to ensure that it is ready for receiving Emails. This ensures invalid Email addresses can't be entered.

Since all theEmail addresses contain the domain name (@domain.com), the existence of the domain name can be verified to make sure to some extent that the Email ID given by the user is valid. This is done through 'nslookup' command; however, this may not work on Windows so keep it false on Windows based servers.

RegulationsRegulations can be set as a required field during the account creating process, including the Conditions of Use and the Privacy statement. We suggest you setting to True. The figure below illustrates what the store front looks like when confirming privacy notice.

Credit CardsThe Credit Cards section is used to configure the credit card verification methods.

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Illustration 26: Confirming Privacy Notice


• Verified with Regular Expressions

Set to “True”, credit cards will be verified with Regular Expressions, otherwise will not.

• Verified with JavaScript

Set to “True”, credit cards will be verified with JavaScript, otherwise will not.

Program LocationsEach item under the Program Locations section is used to replace the execution of the command line in Linux operating system. You are allowed to input application directory for each item accordingly.

Sales PreparationBefore the website going live, it is necessary to determine the rules of selling.

• Shipping: concerning expense calculation.

• Payment: about payment methods and currencies.

• Zones and Tax: relating to zone groups and tax classes.

• Order express: including order status and order modules.

All these are customizable on TomatoCart.

Shipping Shipping Modules, under admin>Modules, gives you a way to customize which shipping options are available to the customers when checking out. During the checkout procedure, these modules are used to calculate the final shipping and packaging costs. Currently there are six shipping modules available: Flat Rate, Free Shipping, Per Item, Table Rate, USPS(United State Postal Service) and Zone Rates.

Flat RateIn Flat Rate shipping, a single price is used on all orders, regardless of quantity, weight, etc. This is the simplest method of calculating shipping cost. The default setup is $5 for each order, excluding tax. To set the Flat Rate, follow this:

1. Enable Item Shipping

To enable Flat Rate shipping method, set to "True"; to disable it, set to "False".

2. Shipping Cost

The actual cost of shipping. It will be applied to all orders.

3. Tax Class

Select the tax class to apply to the shipping cost, if needed.

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4. Shipping Zone

Select the shipping zone to apply to the shipping cost, if needed.

5. Sort Order

Sort Order describes in what order the shipping module will display during checkout.

The figure below illustrates the Flat Rate shipping method shown in the Checkout procedure.

Free ShippingFree shipping is applied to orders with Shipping Cost in Shipping Zone.

Per ItemIn Per Item shipping, the price entered in the Shipping Cost field is multiplied by the number of products ordered, then added to the Handling Fee (if any), to calculate the final shipping cost. The default setting is $2.50 per item, plus $0 additional for handling.

Handling Fee is to add a separate handling charge to the final cost. It may differ for the order, regardless of the product quantity.

Table RateIn Table Rate shipping, a table of prices is used to determine the shipping cost. Either the total weight or the total price of the order can be used in the lookup table.

1. Shipping Table

This table will be applied to either total weight or total price of the order to calculate a final shipping cost. However, there is a limit of 255 characters to this field.

The default table of "25:8.50,50:5.50,10000:0.00" could be expressed in the following table form by weight or by price:

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Illustration 27: Shipping Method


Total Order size (Weight/Price) Shipping Price

0~24.99 $8.50

25.00~49.99 $5.50

50.00 and up Free

Table 4: Shipping Table

2. Table Method

The Table Method allows either the total price or the total weight of the order used as the lookup in the Shipping Table.

Using the default Shipping Table and Weight Method, an order with a total weight of 75 kilograms will cost nothing, and one of 30 kilogram products will cost $5.50. This cost will add extra handling fee to reach a final shipping cost.

3. Module Weight Unit

If the total weight of the order is being used to do the Table Rate calculation, this field applies the chosen weight type to the above order.

USPSIn USPS(United States Postal Service) shipping method, the United States Parcel Service website is used to calculate the shipping cost. Although an account is not required to use the test server, it is necessary when using the production server.

Three different fields from those similar to the above are:

1. Enter the USPS user ID

The username entered here will be used to communicate with the USPS production server about the shipping calculation.

2. Enter the USPS Password

The password entered will be used with the username above.

3. Which Server to Use?

It specifies which USPS server will be used, production or test. The test server does not require a USPS account.

Zone RatesWith Zone Rates shipping method, customers having an order delivered to one of the certain

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TipYou can add new weight units in the admin>Definitions>Weight Classes, which could be used here and in the Weight field in the admin>New Products Data tab.


locations get the shipping cost calculated according to the specified table. This shipping method is similar to the Table Rates shipping method, but will only be available to a selected group of customers.

Two different fields from those similar to the above are:

1. Zone 1 Countries

If a customer has an order delivered to one of the countries specified here, Zone Rates shipping will be available as an option during checkout.

2. Zone 1 Shipping Table

The shipping table in the total weight method is ONLY used in the calculation.

Payment

Payment ModulesThe Payment Modules section is to interface with several payment angencies for credit card processing, as well as a few methods that simplify for off-line payment processing. There are also modules available for handling cash, money order, and check payments, which do not get any external merchant involved.

The following figure illustrates all payment methods may be used in checkout procedure. Each payment method will have its own section which can be configured in the editing window. Editing fields may differ among different modules. Explanations of each field setting are found in the editing page of each module though. Take Authorize.net Credit Card payment for example.

Settings of Authorize.net Credit Card • Enable Authorize.net Credit Card Module

To enable customers to use Authorize.net Credit Card during checkout, set to "True"; to disable

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Illustration 28: Payment Modules


them, set to "False".

• Login ID

• Transaction Key

Enter the transaction key obtained from the Merchant Interface.

• MD5 Hash Signature

Enter the MD5 hash value to verify the results of a transaction.

• Credit Cards

Select the credit card for the payment method. About how to create a new credit card, refer to Credit Cards.

• Verify With CVC

Whether or not to verify the credit card with the billing address with CVC(Credit Card Verification Checknumber).

• Transaction Server

Perform transactions on the production server or on the testing server.

• Transaction Mode

Whether or not to perform test transactions only.

• Payment Zone

Select the payment zone to enable the payment method for it.

• Set Order Status

Set the status of orders made with this payment module to this value

• Sort order of display.

In what order the payment module will display.

Payment Method in Frontend

When a payment method is installed and then enabled, it will be shown during the checkout procedure. With Authorize.net Credit Card installed in backend, It's required to select the Credit Card Expiry Date, enter the Credit Card Owner(it will be automatically generated if the customer has signed in), Credit Number and Credit Cart Check Number(CVC) in frontend.

The order will then list all information entered by the customer in Payment Information.

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CurrenciesMulti-Currencies can be configured under the admin>Definitions>Currencies section. (In storefront it will display in a Box field.)The following figures illustrate the available currencies both in the backend and in the store front.

Adding a new currency

Click Add in the toolbar of a Currencies window, and then refer to the following procedures:

• Use the Title text to describe what the currency is. It will be the same text regardless of what language the customer selects.

• Use Code to refer to the currency when a row is inserted into the database. It is also used to automatically update the exchange rate online, so it should be the standard currency code.

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Illustration 29: Payment Method

Illustration 31: Currencies in Store Front

Illustration 30: Currencies in backend


• Input Left Symbol and Right Symbol which will be displayed to the left and to the right of the currency amount, respectively. Any letters or symbols can be used in this box.

• Define Decimal Places: Two digits, the default, is the most common amount.

• Define Currency Value

Currency Value serves as exchange rate. Thus the store must have a default currency, US Dollar for example. In this case the currency value of US Dollar is 1.00. Values of other currencies can be entered manually or updated according the real change rate automatically.

• Set as Default (optional).

There should be one currency set as default.

Credit CardsThe Credit Cards section, under admin>Definitions>Credit Cards, lists various credit cards that are available for use.

Adding a new credit card

• Define Card Name

• Define Card Number Pattern, regular expression to match the card number.

• Input the sort order which describes in what order the card will display.

• Check Status. If the status of one credit card is checked , it will then appear in Payment Modules, as the figure below illustrates.

Zones and TaxTaxes vary in different zones. And one zone with a unified tax may include several countries or regions. TomatoCart requires tax classes to relate with tax zones and tax rates. And it also assigns it to products which would follow the Tax Zone and Tax Rate relationships. To create a new tax class, it's better to

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Illustration 32: Credit Card in Payment Modules


create zones in advance. Find both under admin>Definitions.

Countries To add a new country, the following information is required:

• Country Name

• ISO codes in two letters and in three letters, which are used here to refer to different countries.

• Address format to prescribe in which address form products are sent to customers. Generally it differs in different countries.

• Zone Name

• Zone Code

Zone GroupsZones and zone groups are required to calculate the appropriate tax rate value based on where the purchase is coming from. If no zone groups match the origin of the purchase, no tax is applied to the order.

The Zone Groups section is divided into Zone Groups and Countries, seen in the illustration below.

To add a new group, you have to provide the following information:

• New Zone Group Name

• New Zone Group Description

• Country• Zone

Tax Classes

Adding a tax class

Tax Classes are required to group Tax Zones and Tax Rates together, and a Tax Class which inherits the relationships of Tax Zones and Tax Rates is allowed to be assigned to products.

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Illustration 33: Zone Groups


For a tax class a title and a short description are enough, while for defining a tax zone the following steps are required:

• Select a zone group in the combo box.

• Define the tax rate for the selected zone group.

Tax rate calculations are based on the priority of multiple tax rates defined in the tax class. Multiple tax rates defined with the same priority values are added to form a final tax rate percentage value, and multiple tax rates with different priority values are compounded together in priority order to form a final tax rate percentage value.

• Define the priority for the tax rate.

Priority plays an important role in a tax class as it states how the multiple tax rates in the same class are to be treated; either adding each rate together when the priorities are the same, or compounding the rates together in the defined priority order.

Priorities are needed when multiple tax rates in a Tax Class exist where residents of a country may need to pay a national sales tax rate, with residents of a particular state also needing to pay a local tax rate in addition to the national sales tax rate.

Checking a product of Tax Classes

To assign an tax class to a product, navigate to admin>Catalog>Products/New Products>Data tab. The first figure below illustrates the assigning process in the backend,

and the second shows a sample tax class in the Order Review in store front.

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Illustration 34: Tax Classes

Illustration 35: Data>Tax Classes


Order

Order StatusEach order has a status field. Customers can be notified by Email when this status of an order changes. TomatoCart demonstrates under admin>Definitions>Order Status eight order statuses for store owners to manage orders, including Canceled, Delivered, Paid, Partly Delivered, Partly Paid, Pending, Preparing and Processing.

If you would like to create a new order status, you only have to define the status name and determine whether or not to set it as default.

Order Total ModulesThe Order Total Modules section, under admin>Modules>Order Total Modules, controls which modules shall display in the store front when checking out. Optional modules include Coupon, Gift Certificate, Low Order Fee, Shipping, Store Credit, Sub-Total, Tax and Total. These modules must be installed first and then edited before put into use. If you are to display one module, enable it and define a sort order for it. Two modules are a little bit special here:

1. Shipping

The calculated shipping cost can be affected by some options, such as Free Shipping option in the Shipping Modules section.

2. Low Order Fee

Low Order Fee may be applied when the order total is less than a certain amount. It allows to add an additional charge to the total. This is used to prevent small orders from being unprofitable for the store owner. Extra settings are:

• Allow low order fee;

• Define the minimum amount under which Low Order Fee is for;

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Illustration 36: Tax Classes in Order Review


• Define the exact amount of low order fee;

• Attach low order fee for orders sent to the set destination, national, international or both;

• Select a tax class to apply the low order fee.

Other Configuration

Emails Templates This part should have been talked about later in Chapter 7 Promotions Email Marketing. We put it here because Email Templates is very commonly and widely used. It serves as basic function of an online store system. So we suggest you taking a look at it earlier.

TomatoCart has specified a list of situations when a target customer shall receive an Email, and demonstrated Email content. What follows is this list, which can be seen under admin>Tools>Email Templates. (We guess the title is so descriptive that no more word need here.)

1. active_downloadable_product/active_gift_certificate2. admin_create_account_email3. admin_create_order_credit_slip/admin_create_order_store_credit4. admin_customer_credits_change_notification/admin_order_status_updated 5. create_account_email6. new_order_created 7. password_forgotten 8. recovered_cart_inquiry 9. send_coupon 10.share_wishlist/tell_ a_ friend

When editing an email template, pay attention to variables, which is not editable. You may insert them into contents.

InformationThe Information module, under admin Definitions>Information, displays a series of articles, including About Us, Shipping & Returns, Privacy Notice, Condition of Use and Imprint.

In the editing page, you may do the following settings:

1. Define the status of publishing. 2. Input the sort order. 3. Name the article and give a proper description. 4. Select "Save" to implement the action.

More information about the layout in the store front, please refer to Displaying Modules-Boxes. The following figure illustrates the Information section in the store front.

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As you may discover, there are two extra articles in the store front, Contact Us and Sitemap. They are auto-generated by the system.

• Contact Us, including store address and contact request block.

• Sitemap displays keywords of the website content, including products and purchasing information. Links are provided in order for search engine spiders to be able to find all of the pages on a website easily and quickly.

GeoIP ModulesGeo-location works by automatically looking up an IP address on a WHOIS service and retrieving the registrant's physical address. Find it under admin>Modules. MaxMind GeoLite Country determines the Internet visitor’s country based on the IP address, which is created by MaxMind. It also offers a geo-location database on a city level. Once installed, store owner can check the visitors‘ or customers' country according to the national flag icon listed in Tools>Who's Online section as shown below.

ServicesService modules, under admin>Modules>Services, do not directly relate to the consumer, but can be helpful in setting up the store.

1. Banner

Whether or not to show duplicate banners in the same banner group on the same page.

2. Breadcrumb

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Illustration 37: Information

Illustration 38: Tools>Who's Online


As shown below breadcrumb allows tracking of where the customer is in the store to allow for easy navigation.

3. Category Path

Calculate how many products are in each category. Following figure gives a example of how category path displayed in the frontend.

4. Core

Fulfill some core functions such as shopping cart, wishlist, navigation history, template layout etc.

5. Currencies

Automatically use the currency set with the language (for example, if German is selected, the currency is then automatically set to Euro).

Need more information about currency? Please refer to Currencies.

6. Language

Include the default or selected language files.

More details about this, please refer to Languages .

7. Output Compression

Control the GZIP compression level for the transmitted web pages.

8. Piwik

An open source web analytic system written in PHP.

9. Recently Visited

Display latest products, categories, searches and set their maximum values to show.

10. Reviews

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Illustration 39: Breadcrumb

Illustration 40: Category Path


Settings controlling the Reviews box, such as how many to display and who can write a review.

More information about it, please refer to Customer Reviews.

11. Search Engine Friendly URLs

Modifies the URL seen by the customer (and search engine robots) to be easier to parse.

12. Session

Settings controlling the sessions of customers and search engine robots.

13. Simple Counter

A counter for keeping track of the number of pages that has been displayed.

14. Specials

Define the maximum number of products on special to display. More information about this, please refer to Specials.

15. Who's Online

Whether or not to detect when Search engines are looking at the store.

More information about this, please refer to Who's Online.

16. Debug

Allow for turning on a variety of debug options for troubleshooting the store's pages. The following covers the content of its edition.

• Show Database Queries

Whether or not to show all database queries made.

• Log Database Queries

Whether or not to log all database queries in the page execution time log file.

• Page Execution Time Log File

Enter the location of the page execution time log file (eg, /www/log/page_parse.log).

• Show The Page Execution Time

Whether or not to show the page execution time.

• Show Development Version Warning

Whether or not to show a TomatoCart development version warning message.

• Check Language Locale

Whether or not to show a warning message if the set language locale does not exist on the server.

• Check Installation Module

Whether or not to show a warning message if the installation module exists.

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• Check Configuration File

Whether or not to show a warning message if the configuration file is writeable.

• Check Sessions Directory

Whether or not to show a warning message if the file-based session directory does not exist.

• Check Sessions Auto Start

Whether or not to show a warning message if PHP is configured to automatically start sessions.

• Check Download Directory

Whether or not to show a warning message if the digital product download directory does not exist.

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Chapter 4: Designing Your Store


By configuration, you are expected to understand how TomatoCart assists you in selling and presentation. What comes next is how to decorate your store. That is, when we are thinking about having a real offline store, we may take into consideration finding a store name, choosing a style and determining the functions.

And what about composing an online store? TomatoCart advises that you upload your logo in the first place. Then consider a theme right unified with that logo. Last but not least, think about functions or information you'd like to provide to visitors. This chapter guides you through store design and layout on TomatoCart, under the admin>Templates section.

LogoThe logo is an emblem of your site, which can aid and promote instant pubic recognition.

Uploading Store LogoUpload your store logo under admin>Templates>Upload Logo. The following illustration shows the logo in the administration panel and the store front. See the overall effect in Store Front.

TemplatesA template is a standardized frontend type as a preformatted case. It determines the website layout and usually a general keynote of the store, and is supposed to differ in different products. Therefore, it is important to select an appropriate and nice template to attract your visitors. So far, TomatoCart has offered two free templates. Please wait for more outstandingly designed templates later.(Find if there are any new templates fit and surprising you at TomatoCart.)

Applying TemplateFind the Templates section under admin>Templates. Make sure that the template you would like to apply has been added to your admin panel first of all. Click “Add” using Browser to upload templates

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Illustration 41: Templates>Logo Upload

http://www.tomatocart.com/


available to you. Certainly, you can adopt the free templates offered by TomatoCart. After uploading, install the template and choose a default one. The illustration below shows the Demo templates currently provided by TomatoCart.

ModulesSince store template only constructs a framework to be filled with various modules, TomatoCart defines a list of modules for you to select from. You are fully entitled to decide which modules to display and how to display, according to your needs.

This part will first give you a brief introduction of modules on TomatoCart, and then continue with the tutorials on backend administration for achieving the desired frontend display.

Module IntroductionThere are lots of template modules available under admin>Templates>Template Modules (Boxes and Content). Each module is sorted either into Boxes or into Content. The following illustration shows the TomatoCart's storefront with Box and Content marked.

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Illustration 42: Templates>Templates


Boxes The module in the boxes is usually small-sized and commonly displays, once installed, on the left or right side of the store front in TomatoCart Glass Gray template, like those within orange ellipses in the illustration above.

Some of the modules that may confuse are:

• Best SellersProducts sold most.

• Ordering StepsShipping, Payment Information, Confirmation and Finished.

• Order HistoryOrders made before.

• Product NotificationsNotify customers of product update information.

• Products ScrollerA specific group of products in scroller forms.

• SearchHelp customers to find target products quickly.

• Shop By PriceFilter products with different prices.

• Shopping CartProducts purchased in the shopping procedure.

• Tell a friendAllow customers to tell friends about products they’ve purchased.

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Illustration 43: TomatoCart Store Demo


ContentThe module in the content is usually larger-sized than box module and displays, once installed, in the central part of the store front , like those within a blue ellipse in the illustration above.

Puzzling modules may be:

• Image Menu, Products Slider and SlideshowProducts can display in any of these three forms. In the form of Image Menu, products display in opened images or closed images. In Products Slider, a certain type of products display.In Slideshow, a group of product images, selected under the admin>Content>Slide Images, displays in slide mode either vertically or horizontally.

• New ProductsDisplay a larger number of new products available in the store.

• Your Recent HistoryProducts customers have viewed.

• Upcoming ProductsProducts to come in the near future.

• Cross Sell ProductsThe same kind or accessories of the current product the customer is viewing.

Displaying ModulesWhen templates are uploaded(under the Templates>Templates section), the next two things should be taken into consideration.

First of all, decide which modules to install under the Templates>Templates Modules section. Fields such as list size, cache contents, etc, are editable.

Then arrange these modules separately under the Templates>Templates Modules Layout section to get different effects in the frontend. Presenting page(s), page specific, group, new group and sort order are editable.

This part will describe how to set a module layout and display it in the store front.

BoxesAs for box module displaying, take Best Sellers as an example.

1. Navigate to admin>Templates>Template Modules>Boxes. Before displaying the box, make sure that you have chosen a template for this module layout in the top right corner.

2. Find Best Sellers as shown below and install it.

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In the Best Sellers edit window, you may do the settings listed below.

• Minimum List Size

Define a minimum amount of products that must be shown in the listing.

• Maximum List Size

Define a maximum amount of products to show in the listing

• Cache Contents

Set a number of minutes to keep the contents cached (0 = no cache)

3. Add Best Sellers under admin>Templates>Template Modules Layout>Boxes.

• Once installed, the Best Sellers module will display in the Module pull-down menu. Select it.

• Select "*" in the "Pages" combo box so that this module will display in store front page.

• Not select "Page Specific", so that not only "Best Sellers" but also other modules will display in the store front.

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Illustration 45: Best Seller Module Layout Setting

Illustration 44: Install Best Sellers Module


• Select a group in the "Group" combo box so that the box module will display in the specific group of the store front. If “left" selected, it will be shown in the left column of store front.

• Within New Group field, you can set up a new position for the box in the store front.

• Define a number for the box display in what order displaying in the store front.

Following the above layout settings, Best Seller box will present in the store front like this:

ContentAs for content module displaying, take Your Recent History as an example.

1. Navigate to admin>Templates>Template Modules>Content. Before displaying the content, make sure that you have chosen a template for this module layout in the top right corner.

2. Find Your Recent History under admin>Templates>Template Modules>Content and install it.

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Illustration 46: Best Seller Module in Store Front


3. Add Your Recent History under admin>Templates>Template Modules Layout>Content.

The content template modules will display not in the right or left group of the store front, but in the before or after group of the content district. Select "Before" for a certain content module, and it will display in the upper content district; vice versa.

Following layout settings, Your Recent History will present in the storefront like this:

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Illustration 47: Install Content Module

Illustration 48: Content Module Layout Setting


Uninstalling Modules

Uninstalling in all templatesTo uninstall a module in the Store Front, simply click the "uninstall graphic tool" in its row under the Template Modules>Boxes section.

Uninstalling in specific templatesTo delete a module in specific templates, turn to the Template Modules Layout section. Locate the template in which the module will not display, select the target module and click “Delete” button.

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Illustration 49: Recently History in Store Front

Chapter 5: Setting Up Your Catalog


We imagine that you have decided on one template you like and blocked out a list of modules before going on with this chapter. The next important thing is to set up your catalog, or to fill your store with products.

TomatoCart finds that regardless of what product you sell, merchandise shares some attributes in common. We mean that goods is manufactured and has color, size, and weight, to name a few. Online shoppers, as most of you and we have been, follow them with interest and fall under the influence. TomatoCart guesses it convenient and effective for your administration to preset these attributes. Thus we offer vertical management of Catalog, to list most of the related attributes together under the admin>Catalog section. Others elsewhere will be identified.

On the other hand, TomatoCart has defined four product types: Simple Products,Virtual Products, Downloadable Products and Gift Certificate Products.

• Simple Products

Products of this type are generally material objects, the most common one.

• Virtual Products

Something that with no entity, such as service (E-Ticket, Hotel Reservation,etc.), game card, top-up card and etc.

• Downloadable Products

As the name suggests, F-Prot AntiVirus, plug-in and so on are all downloadable products.

• Gift Certificate Products

Gift certificate products are the perfect solution when you just can't find the right gift or you're short of time. Gift Certificates make a perfect present for friends, family, and business associates.

Despite type difference, each of the last three products makes a little distinction from Simple Products when created or edited.

Simple ProductsWith TomatoCart, you may make up a product with the following options:

1. Manufacturers

2. Weight Classes

3. Quantity Discount Groups / Customer Groups

4. Pro duct Quantity Units

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5. Categories

6. Product Variants

7. Product Attributes

With the above steps successfully completed, you can then create New Product.

For your understanding convenience, we take one product for example in Simple Product. Now you have “17" MACBOOK PRO MB166LL/A” on hand and want to sell it at your store. As we know, this is a laptop produced by Apple Inc. Supposing it has two suppliers, from Shanghai and from Beijing, a seventeen-inch display and an “AMD” CPU. Also lots of pictures available. Then what to do with these information? See below.

Manufacturers

Adding Manufacturers1. Find the Manufacturers section under admin>Catalog.

2. “Add” a new manufacturer

You only have to provide its name, general image or logo, and the URL address. When you are adding the “Apple” manufacturer for the sample product, you might do it like this:

Checking Manufacturer of ProductManufacturers' name “Apple” will display in the pull-down menu of Manufacturer under the New Product>Data tab.

Select manufacturer “Apple” for the sample product:

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Illustration 50: Manufacturer Apple


Displaying Manufacturers in the Product ListingConsumers may focus on brands, especially when they are considering buying electronic products and are comparing similar products. Some may even be a huge fan of one simple brand.

Having this in mind, you may set your store under the admin>Configuration>Configuration> Product Listing section.

1. Enable displaying product manufacturer name.

2. Enable displaying manufacturer filter.

As a result, the product listing under the category in the store front will display as the figure below:

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Illustration 51: Data>Manufacturer

Illustration 52: Configure Your Store


Manufacturers Related ModulesThere are two modules related to manufacturers, Manufacturer Info and Manufacturers under the admin>Templates>Template Modules section(How to display Manufacturer Info, please refer to Displaying Modules-Boxes.).

Manufacturer Info

This module is not editable. When installed, it will display in the store front as below:

1. By clicking “Visit Apple’s websites”, you will go to Apple’s website entered in the Catalog>Manufacturers module.

2. By clicking “View other products”, you'll get only Apple products.

Manufacturers

This module is editable. It may display in Image List or in Combo Box. The figure bellow shows it in Image List:

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Illustration 53: Product Listing

TipSelect the manufacturer name “Sony”, then you will get the Sony Exclusive page with a category filter.

Illustration 54: Manufacturer Info


Weight ClassesWeight Classes, are used to provide a structured way of handling products and shipping systems that use different units of weight. This class allows a combination of any number of products having different units of weight. Once a shipping quote is required, the weight is converted to that as required by the shipping module.

Adding Weight Classes1. Find the Weight Classes section under admin>Definitions.

2. Add a new weight class

In the Add page, you should enter Title/Code for it, for example, “Pound(s), lb(it may be used to express a computer weight.)”; Define rules which will allow conversion between the current weight class and other weight classes. Unlike the Currencies, there is no tool to automatically fill in these numbers.Set as Default? (Optional).

Checking Weight Class of ProductAll weight classes will display in the pull-down menu of Weight under the New Product>Data tab.

Select “Pound(s)” for the sample product:

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Illustration 55: Manufacturers in frontend

NoteClicking the manufacturer image both in Manufacturer Info and Manufacturers, specified products will be retrieved.


Quantity Discount Groups/Customer GroupsYou may create Quantity Discount Groups as a kind of promotion. Before creating Quantity Discount Groups, you'd better create Customer Groups.

Adding Customer Groups1. Find the customer groups section under admin>Customers.

2. Add a new customer group

You only have to define the Group Discount, Group Name and Set as Default. You may do it like this:

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Illustration 56: Data>Weight

Illustration 57: Customers>Customer Groups


Learn more about Organizing Customer Groups .

Adding Quantity Discount Groups1. Find the quantity discount groups section under admin>Catalog>Quantity Discount Groups.

2. Firstly you should create a new quantity discount group, you only have to provide the name, for example, as the following illustration shows.

3. Select the quantity discount group “50-discount” in the left of the widow, and then you can add customer groups to it. You define:

• Customer group for the quantity discount group. Choose None, then this quantity discount group will not target any specific customer groups.

• The minimum number of products customers purchased and thus enjoy discount.

• The actual discount you give to the quantity discount group.

If you do as the following illustration shows, when buyers purchase 50+ products at one time, they will get 8% discount off, and customers in Members and VIP group will respectively enjoy 10% discount off and 15% discount off, if “50-Discount group” gives the bigger concession.

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Illustration 58: New Customer Group-VIP

Illustration 59: 50-Discount

TipCustomers in a customer group will enjoy a discount. If they buy enough products to enjoy quantity discount, they will only get the larger discount.


Checking Product Quantity Discount GroupsQuantity Discount Groups' names will display in the pull-down menu of Price Discount Group under the New Product>Data tab.

Select “50-Discount” for the sample product:

Product Quantity Discount Groups in the FrontendSince “50-Discount” quantity discount group has assigned to the sample product, what will we see in the front-end? The following illustration tells.

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Illustration 60: 50-Discount Entries

Illustration 61: Data>Price Discount Group


Product Quantity UnitsThe Product Quantity Units are used to express the quantity units for products.

Adding Quantity Units1. Find the Quantity Units section under admin>Definitions.

2. Add a new quantity unit

In the adding page, you only have to provide the Unit Class Name, for example, “dozen”; and Set as Default (Optional).

Checking Quantity Units of ProductAll quantity units will display in the pull-down menu of Quantity Units under the New Product>Data tab. Select “pcs” for the sample product.

Categories The Categories section, with all the product categories in the store listed, enables you to manage all categories in one module.

Adding Categories1. Find the Categories section under admin>Catalog.

2. Add a new category

• Under General tab, choose the parent category. The field will not be editable in the edit page.

• Enter a name for the category which reflects the common features of all the products added into the category.

• Use Browser to upload an image for this category. The image had better be representative.

• Input the sort order. If missed, the default value would be "0".• Under Meta Info tab, enter Page Title, Keywords and Description of the category. The Page Title

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Illustration 62: "50-Discount" in the Front-end

TipThe size of the image could be configured under admin> Configuration>Configuration>Images.


will display in the browser’s title bar when this category is being viewed. Keywords and Description will show in the tag of the category’s HTML source.

3. All the categories created are in the Categories section, as the illustration shows.

The left column in the above illustration displays the category tree of all existing categories in the store and displays their relationship to one another. The right one displays all the sub-categories of the category selected in the left one, if there are.

By the way, you may also use rightclick shortcuts in the left box to edit, delete a selected category, and add sub-categories to any category. Move a category by selecting and dragging it to the target parent category on the left. To disassociate one category with another, click and drag it back to the sensible position.

Move Category Besides using dragging to move a category, you can also use the Move button.

1. Click the "move graphic tool” in its row. 2. Choose a new category as the target parent category.

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Illustration 63: New Category

Illustration 64: Catalog>Categories


Checking Categories of ProductCategories will display in a separate tab under New Product, where you can add products to the existing categories. One product can be assigned to several categories.

Select “Computers” and “Laptop” for the sample product:

Categories in Frontend

Product VariantsThe Product Variants section offers an additional method for you to manage products. For example, the sample laptop is sold in different colors and suppliers. Both Color and Supplier are considered as the variants of the laptop.

The product variants must be set up individually for each product. It is a great way to offer multiple

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Illustration 66: Category in Store Front

NoteIf the category has products within it, you should be careful to delete the category because both the category and all the products assigned to it will be deleted. For products that are assigned to this ONE category only, deleting this category means deleting the products together. For those to more than this category, it means deleting the assignment between. That is, those products will belong to other categories, but not the to-be-deleted one.

Illustration 65: New Product>Categories


choices to a customer without needs to create many separate but similar products to choose from.

Adding Variants1. Find the Variants section under admin>Catalog.

2. Create a new variant group, you only have to provide the name.

We will add “Supplier” as a variant group for the sample product here, as the following illustration shows.

3. Select the variant group “Supplier”, and then you can add variants to it. You only have to provide the name. We have added two variants to Supplier, From Beijing and From Shanghai, for the sample product.

Checking Variants of ProductVariants displays separately too. One product can be assigned to several variants.

Select “Colour” and “Supplier” for the sample product:

• To assign variants to the product, double click the variant group in the left dialog box and each variant in it will be listed in the right dialog box, integrated with an editable list of Quantity, Net Price, Model, Status and other variants.

• To cancel a variant of a product, just deselect the check box of corresponding variant in the left dialog box.

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Illustration 68: Variants-Supplier

Illustration 67: Supplier

NoteWhen a variant is assigned to certain products, it can’t be deleted. If you want to delete a variant, you have to make sure no products (under Catalog> Products>Variant tab) are assigned to it.


About the sample product within the above variants displays in the frontend, please refer to New Product Variants.

Product AttributesThe Product Attributes are particular variants of products. For example, the sample laptop is sold in different displays and different CPUs. Displays and CPUs are defined as attributes of the laptop.

Product attribute and product variant separately stand for common and different points of one product. Product information will display in the store front in forms of fixed attributes and a listing of variant combination for customers to choose from. Attribute alteration will result in another product while variant changes will lead to different orders of the same product.

Adding Attributes1. Find the Attributes section under admin>Catalog.

2. Create a new attribute group, you only have to provide the name.

We will add “Laptop” as an attribute group for the sample product here.

3. Select the attribute group “Laptop”, and then you can add attributes to it (We have added two attributes in Laptop attribute group, CPU and Display). In attribute adding page, you should:

• Define the name of the attribute. The new attribute will display under the column header of “Attribute Name” in the right dialog box.

• Select "Enabled" to implement the attribute setting in the administration panel; otherwise click "Disabled".

• Choose a field type for the attribute either Combo Box or Input Text Field.

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Illustration 69: New Product>Variants

Illustration 70: Laptop


• The Field Value is editable only when the combo box is selected as the field type.

4. The following illustrations show the Attributes “CPU” and “Laptop” we have created and the final Attribute groups window with the two attributes.

Deleting AttributesIt's the same as deleting product. If you want to delete an attribute, you have to make sure no products (under Catalog>Products>Attributes tab) are assigned to it. Otherwise it can't be deleted.

Choosing Attributes of A ProductAttributes displays separately. Select “Laptop” for the sample product, and “AMD” & “17''” as its attribute:

About the sample product with the above attributes showing in the frontend, please refer to New

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Illustration 71: Attributes-CPU

Illustration 72: Attributes

Illustration 73: New Product-Attributes


Product Attributes.

New Product With the above sections set up, you've got well prepared to create products.

Click "Add" to create a new product in admin>Catalog>Products. All tabs in New Product are described as follows.

General • Input the Product Name and Description, which are required.

• Input the proper Tags and URL if needed.

Meta InfoPage Title, Meta Keywords and Meta Description can be entered for products. SEO-related Meta Information is controlled from here. The Page Title will display in the browser’s title bar when this product is being viewed. Meta Keywords and Description will show in the tag of the product’s HTML source.

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NoteWhen making a new product and setting the product name, you can set an image in the product name field, which will show a small image of each product in the product listing in your store.

Illustration 74: 17" MACBOOK-General


Data• Choose Simple Product as the product type. In editing page, this filed is not available.

• The status shows the product in or out of stock which either enables or disables it in the store.

• Select a date when the product will be available and which shall correspond with the Product Expected.

• Input the product Model. It's the SKU(Stock Keeping Unit) of the product.

• The Manufacturer of the product.

• Input the weight with the Weight Class which will be applied to freight.

• Choose a Tax Class, which is used to charge tax on each product.

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Illustration 75: 17" MACBOOK-Meta Info

TipThere is one more configuration feature that needs addressed. If you haven’t already done so, navigate to Definitions>Tax Classes, in this section, you could add new tax classes, if you need.

Illustration 76: 17" MACBOOK-Data


• The gross price is automatically set after the setting of the net price according to your tax schedule to show cost plus tax to those customers who would pay tax.

• Choose a Quantity Discount Group for this product. Thus customers in the group are to enjoy discount while purchasing.

• Input the quantities into the Quantity field. It corresponds with Configuration>Stock.

• Define the minimum order quantity. As a result, for any order under the minimum order quantity made by customers in the Product Information page, the system will automatically alter it to the Min. Order Quantity in Add-To-Cart page.

• Define the quantity increment. If it were a dozen, the product order quantity should increase by one dozen since the second purchase in one shopping cart.

• Set a proper Unit Class.

Product Expected/Upcoming ProductEach time a product is set available on a date later than “Today” in the Date Available field (the above illustration shows), and the “future” product will display in a separate section to manage this kind of product.

To edit product expected, you have two methods: one is on the Product Data Available field (as the above illustration shows), another is clicking the "date graphic tool" in Product Expected edit page. The new date should be a coming date after today. If the date is set as today or before, the entry of the products expected will disappear.

The following illustrations show the sample product in Product Expected, and in upcoming field in the store front. (about how to display the Upcoming Products, please refer to Displaying Modules-Boxes.)

CategoriesRefer to Categories.

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Illustration 77: Catalog>Product Expected

Illustration 78: Upcoming Products-17" MACBOOK


ImagesIf you do not want to use the images in the local files, you could choose another method Remote File to upload the ones.

Click Browse to upload an image for the new product, and then select Submit to implement this operation. When you upload an image for a new product, the interface may like: The Image interface of editing a product differs from that of creating the one:

• To add an image, click “Add”, find the right image and then upload to set images for the product in the right box. The images can be uploaded simultaneously and the uploaded images could be previewed on the left dialog box.

• The image uploaded is followed by image title and size in the left box. It may be set to the default one which will show in the front store by clicking the “pentagram graphic tool”. And it can be removed by clicking the “delete graphic tool”.

VariantsTo create variants and checking variants of products, please refer to Product Variants.

The product “17" MACBOOK” in the back-end:

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Illustration 79: Upload images for a new product

Illustration 80: 17" MACBOOK-Images


The product “17" MACBOOK” in the store front:

AttributesSelect proper attributes to filter the product in the store front. To create a new attribute, go to Product Attributes.

What is the function of the attributes feature in the frontend? See the below illustration.

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Illustration 82: 17" MACBOOK Variant in storefront

Illustration 81: 17" MACBOOK-Variants


Xsell ProductsXsell (Cross Sell) products refer to the same kind or accessories of the current product and display under the product description of the current one in the store. For example, “17 MACBOOK MB166LL/A” has “15.4 MACBOOK Pro MB134LL/A” and “13.3 MACBOOK AIR APPLE ZOFSOLL/A” as its Xsell Products.

• To insert an Xsell product, choose one in the Pull-Down Menu, and then click the button of “Insert”.

• To delete an existing Xsell product, click the "delete graphic tool" in the row.

• Select "Submit" when completing editing.

The following figures show the Xsell products of the sample product in the back-end and front-end. The Xsell products in the front-end is also named Cross Sell Product. About how to display Cross Sell Product in the front-end, please refer to Displaying Modules-Content .

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Illustration 83: Attributes Feature

NoteThe sample product is under the “Laptop” category, thus, when you click the “Laptop” as the “Orange Arrowhead” suggests, the attribute filter will appear.


Virtual Products The approach of creating a virtual product is similar as Simple Products.

Downloadable Products Data setting of Downloadable products differs. Refer other settings to Simple Products.

Once you select the Downloadable Product, the Downloadable Product specified options will be displayed, as the following illustration tells.

Downloadable Product OptionsFollowing lists the options of downloadable products:

• Use Browser to upload a file, which can be purchased to download in the store by customers.

• Use Browser to upload a sample file, which is generally considered as a demo file for the Downloadable. Note that the sample file is downloadable too.

• Define the number of times of downloads.

• Define the number of accessible days.

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Illustration 84: 17''MACBOOK-Cross Sell Products

Illustration 85: Choose Downloadable Product


Downloadable Products Related ModulesThere are two additional modules which will related to Downloadable Products, Order Settings and Purchased Downloadables.

Order SettingsGenerally, customers have the ability to use Downloadable Products after paid and they can not refund this kind of Product (so do Gift Certificate Products). Having this in mind, you may set your store under admin>Configuration>Configuration>Order Settings.

• Enable download/gift certificate

Choose a status from the drop-down menu. For example, if “Paid” is set, the Downloadable/Gift Certificate products will be available only when Customers have actually paid for them.

• Download by Redirect

Set to “Download by Redirect”, and you can use browser redirection for download (Disable on non-Unix systems), otherwise can not.

• Allow gift certificate/ downloadable return

Set to "0", the store will not allow customers to return the Gift Certificate/Downloadable Products, otherwise it will not. The following figure shows an order of Downloadable product in the store front which is not allowed refund.

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Illustration 86: Downloadable Product Options

Illustration 87: Configuration>Order Settings


Purchased DownloadablesMore information about it, please refer to Purchased Downloadables.

Gift Certificate Products Data setting of Gift Certificate products differs. Refer other settings to Simple Products.

Once you choose the Product Type as Gift Certificate Product as follows,

the Gift Certificate Options will be displayed, as the following illustrations tell.

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Illustration 90: Gift Certificate Options

Illustration 88: Order of Downloadables

Illustration 89 : Choose Gift Certificate Product


Gift Certificate OptionsFollowings are the options of setting a gift certificate:

• Choose a gift certificate type, Email Gift Certificate (GC) or Physical GC (PGC).

The shopping process of both EGC and PGC requires the information of sender’s and recipient’s name, and text message. In addition to that, EGC asks for the email address of both sender and recipient. Each Address can be set as Recipient only once in one order.

• Choose a gift certificate amount type, Fix Amount or Open Amount.

Only when open amount type is selected, Open Amount Min. Value and Open Amount Max. Value require a definition. If Open Amount has been set to, the price will show in the range form from the minimum value to the maximum value. For example, $100~$1000 in Figure 1 tells shoppers that they shall purchase no less than $100, and no more than $1000.

The following figures show the differences between EGC and PGC in the store.

Gift Certificates Related ModulesTwo modules, Order Settings and Gift Certificates (under admin>Customers) will be relative to Gift Certificate Products

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Illustration 92: EGC

Illustration 91: PGC


Order SettingsRefer to Order Settings.

Gift CertificatesMore information about it, please refer to Gift Certificates.

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Chapter 6: Managing Customers and Orders


TomatoCart thinks much of customer relationship management. We believes that as customers may be initially attracted by the products, they will stick to your store only if they are considerately served. This chapter discloses what you can do to maintain your store and to provide high quality services with TomatoCart.

Managing CustomersYou manage your customers in an all-round way.

• Customer Self-help

• Customer Account Administration

• Organizing Customer Groups

• Managing Customer-Generated Content

Customer Self-helpCustomers of course can create accounts in the store front. They may then help themselves in managing orders, wishlist and notifications in the My Account page.

RegistrationThere are two sections in the frontend where your customers may choose to create a new customer account: Sign In and Checkout.

Sign In

Find “My Account” in the header. In My Account page, customers have the options to sign in with their existing account, or if they have not got an account yet, they can create one by clicking “Continue” in the section of “New Customer”. The latter will guide them to the Create an Account Page, which will require them to enter their First Name, Last Name, Email Address, and Password (they will have to confirm the password as well, and they will receive the Newsletters of your store, if selecting it).

When they click Continue, the customer’s account will be created in your store. The following

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NoteAll the value of required information, such as First Name, Last Name, Email Address and etc., can be configured in the Customer Details section, under admin>Configuration>Configuration


illustrations show the process of a new account's creation in Sign In section.

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Illustration 95: Account Creation Successful

Illustration 93: My Account>Sign In

Illustration 94: My Account>Create an Account


Checkout

Your customers do not have to register before shopping. They may do later when checkout. The following figure illustrates the account creation in Checkout page. By selecting Continue, they will be directed to the Billing Information, where they should enter all required information, both signed-in details and the address. When all of the order is confirmed, a new account will be created automatically using the billing information.

My Account• View or change “My” account information:

• View or change entries in “My” address book:

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Illustration 96: Checkout Billing Information

Illustration 97: My Account Information


• Change “My” account password:

My Orders

Viewing order

If the customer would like to return a product, he/she could click “Return Item(s)” button listed in the above illustration. More information about how TomatoCart assists you in return, refer to Return Requests.

The figure below illustrates the View page of a specific order. However, Downloadable Product differs. Please refer to Purchased Downloadables.

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Illustration 99: My Account Password

Illustration 100: My Orders

Illustration 98: My Address Book


Viewing Return Requests

Viewing Credit Slips

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Illustration 102: Returned Request

Illustration 101: Order View


More information about credit slips, refer to Credit Slips.

My WishlistThe Wishlist allows your customers to designate products that they are interested in and may wish to purchase (or have someone purchased for them) at a later date. Having your customers able to save products to a Wishlist greatly increases the likelihood that they will remember the products they have interests in.

Adding to Wishlist

When click “Add to Wishlist” under or beside “Add to Compare”, customers will be directed to their personal Wishlist page (if they have not signed in yet, they will be prompted to do so, or register first). This page will list all items that your customer has saved.

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Illustration 103: Credit Slips

Illustration 104: Credit Slip-Print


Comment

For each product, there is a field for comments where your customers can make personal notes. The date the product was added to the Wishlist is automatically generated by TomatoCart. Don't forget to “Update” to save a new wishing item!

Sharing Your Wishlist

Under My Wishlist field is Share Your Wishlist, which is a good word of mouth tool for customers to promote products they like to their friends, as well as a method to inform their friends about products that they would like to receive as a gift. The fields marked with the asterisk are required, and they can not be skipped off.

Viewing Wishlist

In personal account page, customers have an overview of all products that has been added to the wishlist, with an option to add comments and add each item to the cart.

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Illustration 105: Wishlist & Share Wishlist


My Notifications

Subscribing/Unsubscribing to newsletters:

Viewing/Editing product notifications list:

Customer Account AdministrationNot only could customer accounts be created in the store front, they can also be added by administrators, you, in the administration panel. Besides, you have an address book to fill in, manage store credits, view customer wishlist and see customer visit history at your store.

Registration Create accounts for your new customers under the admin>Customers section at the backend. The registration information in the Add New Customer page is roughly the same as it in the frontend. What's more, you may determine whether to check the Status/Newsletter Subscriptions or not, and choose a customer group added under Customers>Customers Groups for the customer. Additionally, by clicking “+”, many significant information can be seen, including Customer IP address, and Number of Logins, to name a few.

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Illustration 106: My Notifications

Illustration 107: My Product Notifications


View or modify the customer's information by clicking the "edit graphic tool". Continue with address information in the right dialogue box.

Address Book

All addresses ever used in the store front will present here, while only one of them should be set as “Primary Address”. To cancel the primary address, you should have set another address as primary. You may configure the maximum values of address books a customer owns, under admin>Configuration>Configuration>Address Book Entries.

Store Credits

Store Credits presents the amount of money stored in the Cart. It can be used to purchase products in the store as ready money.

Store credits will be updated on any of the following occasions:

1. Refund. The store owner rebates in the method of “Create Store Credit” under admin>Invoices according to the agreement on refund request from the customer. Credit value will increase in this case.

2. Purchase. The customer pays with store credits. Value will reduce then. The alteration will be automatically generated by the system.

3. Admin (bonus). The store owner updates the value of the Store Credits for any reason.

To give bonus to customers by clicking “Update Balance” as in the illustration below, you may do settings like:

• Input the amount and comments.

• Select the check box to notify the customer by Email.

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Illustration 108: Customers-Address Book


About how to pay with store credits during Checkout procedure, please refer to Store Credits in

the promotions section.

Wishlist

The products added to Wishlist by a customer at your store will be listed under the Wishlist tab. You can view which products have been added in the wishlist, when they were added and what comments have been made.

Customer TrackIn the admin panel, you may quickly find new customers, online visitors and customers and the latest visitor number.

New Customers

Find new customers at admin>Tools>Dashboard.

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Illustration 109: Customers-Store Credits

Illustration 110: Customers-Wishlist


Who's Online

TomatoCart features Who's Online, which is a traffic reporting tool that shows you how many visitors or customers are currently browsing your store.

Navigate to Who's Online, under admin>Tools:

For each record, you could see the IP Address, online time, registered customer name or guests, Last URL (Page the customer is on) and expected total expense. If you install GeoIP module under admin>Definitions, the national flag icon can be seen before the IP column.

Click “+” to view more information, as the above illustration tells, you may find about customer information, and ordered product information if any.

Last Visits

Last Visits demonstrates the number of visitors who ever dropped in your shop. Find it at

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Illustration 112: Tools>Who's Online

Illustration 111: Dashboard>New Customers

NoteThe cart icon to the left of IP address represents the state of activation. Only the green one is active, meaning that the visitor is right then having product(s) in the cart, not checked out yet.


Dashboard:

Organizing Customer Groups For each customer who has an account in your store, you have the options to assign him/her to a customer group. Customer Groups is a means to apply other features in TomatoCart to groups of customers all at once. You can give different groups a different discount according to different customer groups, you can also assign certain customer groups to Quantity Discount Group to give them a big discount.

Adding a Customer GroupPlease refer to Adding a Customer Group.

Assigning Customers to Customer GroupsNow that you have set up all of your Customer Groups, you can assign customers to them by navigating to Customers>Customers.

• Select a customer you want to give a customer group.

• Click the “edit graphic tool” in the selected customer’s row.

• Find Customer Group field, choose a customer group from the pull-down menu for the customer.

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Illustration 113: Dashboard>Last Visits


Assigning Customer Groups to Quantity Discount GroupsYou can also assign certain customer groups to a quantity discount group to give them a big discount. Find it in Quantity Discount Group .

Managing Customer-Generated ContentCustomers can find their target products easily, and have a say to products. You will allow these personal experience by installing several modules on TomatoCart. Meanwhile you can see their voice and make use of it. These modules include Search, Compare Products, Wishlist, Tell a Friend and Customer Reviews. Since Wishlist has been talked about in the passages above, what follows is guidance to the other four.

Search Within TomatoCart, customers can find what they want easily. Three approaches are offered for customers to search products, by using simple search, advanced search and popular search terms in the store front.

Simple Search

When keywords are entered in the search field, the system will give suggestions to the search words automatically as shown in the following illustration.

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Illustration 114: Assign Customers to Customer Groups


Click a certain item under the search field to the product info page, and click “search graphic tool” to view all search results in terms of the keyword.

Advanced Search

Click “search graphic tool” when the search field is blank, and then go to the advanced search page. Set the search criteria, and then click search to get advanced search results.

Popular Search Terms

Each term, when clicked, will guide you to its search result page. The larger the font size is, the more popular the term is searched for.

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Illustration 115: Search apple

Illustration 116: Advanced Search


These search terms in the frontend will be listed in the Popular Search Terms section, under admin>Catalog, and can be edited in the backend.

1. Search Term

The terms entered in the search box in the frontend

2. Search Result

The number of search results

3. Popularity

Search frequency of a certain term

4. Synonym

The synonym of the search term. The search results only list the products with both the term and synonym in product name and product description.

5. Show in Terms

Click the green/red button to switch whether or not to display a term in the frontend.

As for each term, you are able to edit it. In the edit page, you may rename the search term and synonym, reset popularity, and determine whether or not show it in the store front. Note that Number of Products corresponds with Search Results.

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Illustration 118:Popular Search Terms in backend

Illustration 117: Popular Search Terms in frontend


Compare ProductsThe Compare Products feature is a useful way for customers to quickly compare product information in a side-by-side view, including the price, variants, attributes and etc. When customers click Add to Compare listed in the product listing page, the product will be added to Compare Products quick view in the right column (Display Compare Products at your store by navigating to the admin>Templates>Template Modules>Boxes. For more information, please refer to Displaying Modules-Boxes). The Compare Products Page can be accessed by clicking Compare Now button in the Compare Products module. If Clear is clicked, the Compare Products box will be emptied.

Clicking ”Compare Now“ produces a pop-up window, with a table of compared and comparison options. All products can be added to the shopping cart in the Compare Products page.

Tell A FriendTell a Friend allows customers to help you in promoting products in your store by word of mouth. They can customize a message that will be sent in the email along with a hyperlink to the product from which they chose to Tell a Friend, making it easier for people to find out more Information about your products. This is similar to Share Your Wishlist feature available in the your store.

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Illustration 119: Compare Products

Illustration 120: Compare Products-Sample


To display the layout of Tell a Friend in your store front, please refers to Displaying Modules-Boxes.

Customer ReviewsTomatoCart’s Reviews system allows you to monitor, edit and delete any product reviews in the admin.

Installing Reviews

If you would like to enable Reviews in the store front, firstly you should enable the section under Modules>Services. About how to display Reviews in the front-end, please refer to Displaying Modules-Boxes. You may define a random review selection and cache contents in the edit page.

Configuring Reviews

Reviews has four configurable options:

1. The minimum length of the Review Text. Under admin>Configuration>Configuration>Minimum Values.

2. Maximum number of new reviews to display. Under admin>Modules>Services>Reviews.

3. Customer level required to write a review. Under admin>Modules>Services>Reviews.

4. Whether or not moderate reviews by you. Under admin>Modules>Services>Reviews.

Writing reviews by customers

Registered customers can comment a product. The following illustration shows how to create a review at the store.

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Illustration 121: Tell a Friend


Managing Reviews

You can see and modify the customer reviews in the admin panel.

1. Find Reviews under admin>Catalog

The reviews module contains the information about reviewed Products , Language, Rating (the quantity of yellow star represents products' evaluation. The more colored star, the better product.) and Data Added.

2. Editing a review

The fields of “Product” reviewed, “Author“ of the review for the product and Date Added are only readable. In the review field, you are able to change the reviews written by customers.

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Illustration 122: Write a review by customers

Illustration 123: Catalog>Reviews

Note Reviews are added only by customers in the store. You can not add it in the back end.


Quick Look at Reviews

Have a quick look at Reviews? Find it at Dashboard:

Managing Orders TomatoCart features powerful order management, including

1. Order Management

2. Abandoned Cart

3. Return Management

4. Reports

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Illustration 125:Reviews in Dashboard

Illustration 124: Edit a review


Order ManagementWhen orders are made, you may have a look, print it, edit it and create an invoice for it. In addition, a new order can be created in admin panel. And you may see separated orders of downloadable products and gift certificates. This part is divided into four main part:

1. Orders

2. Purchased Downloadables

3. Gift Certificates

4. Invoices

Orders Go to admin>Customers>Orders. Following illustration gives an order example.

For each order you can see the sorting order in time sequence, the customer’s name, Order Total, Date purchased, Tracking No.(editable only when the order entry is folded.) and Status. Click "+" to view the concrete information for each order, which contains the shipping&billing address, shipping&payment method, product information and the cost.

Quick Look at Orders

Wanting a quick look at Orders? Find it at Dashboard:

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Illustration 126: Customers Orders


Printing an Order

Orders can be printed in PDF format by clicking the “Print Order graphic tool”. The following illustration is an example of a printed PDF order.

Creating an Invoice

You can create an invoice for an order by clicking the "Create Invoice graphic tool" in each order's row. A new invoice page looks very similar to the completed Order page, with some additional fields that can be viewed and edited. Every order can only be invoiced once. Once the invoice is created, the "Create Invoice graphic tool" will be disabled, and other two graphic tools “edit” and ”delete” will not display any more. The invoiced order will have an icon of "Invoice" before the column of "ID". The created Invoices are available under admin>Customers.

Viewing an order

The order viewing page includes six tabs:

1. Summary

Summary tab includes customer’s Email address and other information listed in the Orders

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Illustration 127: New Orders in Dashboard

Illustration 128: PDF Order


listing page.

2. Products

In Products tab, the details of the ordered products are listed. The column of Qty to Refund will show the number of the products refunded successfully and it should correspond to the Refund History tab.

3. Transaction History

The Transaction History tab lists the created date, status and comments of a transaction.

4. Status History

In Status History tab, you can change the status of an order, type a new comment, and notify the customer of the status change, with comments or without. And do not forget to “Update

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Illustration 130: Edit Order>Products

Illustration 129: Edit Order>Summary

NoteValue of Products refers to the number of product types while that of Items the total quantity.


Order Status” if you really want to do so.

5. Refund History

The Refund History tab lists the concrete information of products refunded successfully. It corresponds with the Qty to Refund in the Products tab.

6. Merchandise Returns

The Merchandise Returns tab lists the specific information of the products of which the buyer has sent out return requests, under admin>Customers>Return Requests.

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Illustration 131: Edit Order>Status History

Illustration 132: Edit Order>Refund History

NoteYou can set certain status to activate the Gift Certificate or Downloadable products at Configuration>Order Settings.


Adding a new order

With TomatoCart, you can create an order in the admin panel, just like your customer does it at your store.

Click Add in the tool bar in the Order window, and a window pops up as below.

In order to continue the creation process, choose a customer and click the “add graphic tool” in the row as shown in the illustration above. Then an order adding page pops up, which includes two tabs: Address and Status History (it is the same as that in the Viewing page). The following illustration shows Address tab in the order adding page.

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Illustration 133: Edit Order>Merchandise Returns

Illustration 134: Create New Order--Step 1: Choose Customer


1. Customer Information

Customer Name and Email Address listed in Customer Information correspond the customer you choose at first, and they are not editable. Currencies can be reselected from the pull down list. After changing the the currency, the page will be refreshed.

2. Billing/Shipping Address

You can either select an existing address from the pull down list or create a new address. When done, click the Update button to refresh the page.

3. Payment Method

There is a little difference from that in the frontend. It is only allowed to choose a payment method simply without details, such as, Card No. in case of Credit Card payment. If the customer has store credits, the Pay with Store Credit checkbox is checked. In other words, the order can be paid with store credits.

4. Shipping Method

Click Change Shipping Method to view the installed shipping methods. In the pop-up window, click “add graphic tool” in a certain row to choose a shipping method for the order, as shown in the following illustration.

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Illustration 135: Order Adding Page


5. Redeem Coupon

As the name suggests, if the customer has a coupon it can be redeemed by inputting the coupon code. It can be removed after redeemed as well, as the following illustration shows.

6. Redeem Gift Certificates

The redemption process is the same as the Redeem Coupon above.

7. Products

Click Add Products to add products. The product listing page as shown in the following illustration, contains all kinds of products.

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Illustration 136: Choose Shipping Method

Illustration 137: Redeem Coupon


Input the product quantity the order will be placed.

Click “add graphic tool”, and then the added product will appear in the Product section as shown in the following illustration.

Model, Qty (except for gift certificates) and Price (Net) are editable as the above illustration shows. Click one of them to edit the value.

8. Order Totals

After finishing the product addition, the Order Totals can be seen at the bottom of the page.

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Illustration 138: Choose Products

NoteIn case of Gift Certificates, you should input all required information. The product can be purchased one piece per order and the product quantity field is not editable.

Illustration 139: Product Listing


Deleting an Order

There will be a verification request window while deleting an order. Check the box and then click “Delete”, the products in this order will automatically resume your inventory, otherwise they will not.

Purchased DownloadablesAll purchased downloadable products in your store will be listed in a separated module for under admin>Customers>Purchased Downloadables.

The page includes the information about Downloadable products, Product Name, Purchased Date, Total Downloads and the Status.

Once Downloadable products' status is changed to "Paid"(you can change the status setting under admin>Configurations>Order Settings), they will be activated and available in the store front. Customers can sign in and go to My Account to see the order just made, and then find the right one to download, as the following illustration tells.

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Illustration 141: Customers>Purchased Downloadables

Illustration 140: Order Totals

NoteIn the above illustration, “1” indicates that the order has not been activated. About how to Order Status, please refer to Status Historyunder Order>Edit tab; “2” implies that the order has been activated and the customer has download it once.


Gift CertificatesAll gift certificate products purchased will be listed in a separated module under admin>Customers>Gift Certificates.

The image above illustrates the gift certificate page. This page contains the information about gift certificate product's name, Gift Certificates Code, Customer, Amount, Balance (the remaining amount of Gift Certificate), Purchased Date, and the Status(The "green light" icon implies the activated status, and the "red light" opposite).

Once the status of an Email Gift Certificate product is changed to "Paid" (you can change the status setting under admin>Configurations>Order Settings), the product will be activated and be available in the store.

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Illustration 142: Order #5-an order of a Downloadable Product

Illustration 143: Gift Certificates


When an Email Gift Certificate product is successfully purchased, the recipient will receive an Email containing a gift certificate code, and it can then be used in Checkout. If physical gift certificate, a physical one will be sent to the shipping address.

The following illustration tells how to redeem a EGC code, which can be seen in the Email, and what the Email may like:（the Email contents are from Email Templates, under admin>Tools, named “active_gift_certificate”.）

With Gift Certificate code, customer can redeem it during checkout, as the following illustration tells.

Once the Gift Certificate code is redeemed, certain amount of Gift Certificate will be subtracted from the total amount. Gift Certificate can also be deleted before confirming an order.

After finishing the order, the redeem history will be listed in Gift Certificates under admin>Customers.

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Illustration 144: Gift Certificate activated Email

Illustration 145: Redeem EGC Code


InvoicesThe Invoices section is a record of the receipt of payment for an Order, thereby essentially making it a permanent record of an Order. One order can only be invoiced once.

Navigate to admin>Customers>Invoices to manage the invoices, which are created in the Order section.

In Invoice section the Invoice Number, OID, Customers, Order Total, Date purchased, Status and Invoice Date are included. Click "+" to view the concrete information of each invoice, which may contain the shipping&billing address, shipping&payment method, product information and the cost. Invoice section offers a number of operations available for an invoice, like as, viewing an invoice, printing an invoice, printing packaging slip, creating credit slip and store credit. Next, let’s go through the details.

Viewing an Invoice

To view the concrete information of each invoice, click the "View graphic tool". All the details in an invoice are similar to those in the Orders (Editing an Order ) section except that they are read only.

Printing an Invoice

Invoices will be printed in PDF format by clicking the “Print Invoice graphic tool”. (It is the same as Printing an Order .)

Printing Packaging Slip

The Packaging Slip differs from Invoices in that the former excluding price list, but shipping information including the receiver’s name and address.

Creating Credit Slip

Click “create credit slip graphic tool” to direct to the right window.

To Create Credit Slip, you can complete this operation as showing in the following steps. The

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Illustration 146: Check differences


following illustration

Following lists give the explanations of all parameters:

• Products

Quantity here refers to the amount of the original order.

• Price

The unit price of each product.

• Qty

The current quantity of each product. It may change by the operation of refund.

• Qty to Refund

Click and input this field the number to refund. The number should be set no more than the quantity listed under the “Qty” column.

• Sub Total

It will be automatically generated, when the value of "Qty to Refund" has been defined.

• Shipping Fee/Handling

Define the fees of both fields.

• Restock Product Quantity?

Check it to restock the store with returned products.

• Comment

Select "Create Credit Slip" to implement the action.

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Illustration 147: Credit Slip


Creating Store Credits

The creation process of Store Credits refers to Creating Credit Slip.

Store credit presents the amount of money which is stored in the Cart. It can also be used to purchase products in the store as ready money.

When a store credit has been created for an order successfully, the credit value will add to the customer and piece of this store credit will display under Customers>Customers>Store Credits tab. In such a case, the customer is able to use the store credit in checkout till it is run out in your store.

Abandoned CartThe products left in the shopping cart without payment will be listed in the Abandoned Cart section, under admin>Customer.

In Abandoned Cart, the information of each customer is listed in a row, including Customer Name, Cart Total(the aggregate amount of the products left in the shopping cart), Date Added(the final date of “add to cart” operation), Email, and Date Contacted (the date you contact the customer. If you haven't contacted the customer, the date will not be seen.)

Sending an Inquiry Email In addition to checking the products in shopping cart, you can send Emails to customers to get informed of the reason why not to check out.

Click Send “Email” to contact a certain customer. In the Send Inquiry Email page, you could send the Email with comments.

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Illustration 148: Customers>Abandoned Cart

Note1. When a credit slip is successfully created, it will display in Credit

Slips. Meanwhile, the customer will receive a notifying Email containing the credit slip number and total amount. Besides, the credit slip is printable in the "My Account". Refer to Viewing Credit Slips.

2. The initial invoice number is configured under admin> Configuration>Wizard Configuration>Invoice Start number or under admin>Configuration>Configuration>My Store>Invoice Start number.


Note that the Email received by customers contains the Email template, named “abandoned_cart_inquiry”. More information about Email Templates, refer to Email Templates.

Return ManagementReturn Management specifies Return Requests and Credit Slips.

Return RequestsWhen customers apply for refunding purchased goods in your store (about how to apply for, refer to Viewing Order ), you can view these requests in admin>Customers>Return Requests.

For each return request you can see the Return ID, Order ID, Customers, Qty, Date Added, Status and Comments. Click "+" to view the concrete information of each return request, which may contain more information, such as billing address, product and the comments mainly about the reasons of giving back.

Once a return request is returned completely, the icons will be unavailable and become gray as the following illustration shows.

Disposing a return request

In TomatoCart, there are two modules set for different returning methods of refund-Invoices and Return Request. Here Return Request when return requests are applied for, you can finish the refund immediately either in Credit Slip or Store Credit(The Invoices section is referential); When return request are applied for by telephone, Emails etc, you should go to the Invoices section to finish the return.

• Products/Customers/Date/Customer Comment

In the request edit page, you'll see which goods are asked for return, by whom, when and why. These are read only by store owners.

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Illustration 149:Return Requests

NoteYou may create either Credit Slip or Store Credit. Once Credit Slip or Store Credit has been created, the request becomes neither editable nor creatable. You can dispose a return request by clicking “edit graphic tool” to determine.


• Status

You may acknowledge the return or not.

• Comment

Credit SlipsWhen you authorize the return requests through creating the credit slips, the requested products will be listed in the admin>Customers>Credit Slips section.

For each credit slip you can see the Credit Slip No., OID, Customers, Total Products, Total, Date Added and Comments. Click "+" to view the concrete information for each credit slip, which may contain the shipping&billing address, shipping&payment method for the product and product information and detailed costs.

The customers could print all corresponding credit slips in this section, or in "My account" in the store front.(refer to Viewing Credit Slips ).

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Illustration 150: Edit Return Request

Illustration 151: Credit Slips


ReportsTomatoCart includes several useful reports to keep updated on anything from your customers’ operations (such as, Products Purchased, Products Viewed and Categories Purchased), and the alert report (Low Stock). The reports under Orders Report are Best Orders and Orders Total. All of them can be accessed by navigating to admin>Reports, and then locating the name of the desired report.

Product ReportProducts Report allows the store owner to view information about products related to the market. It involves four types of reports:Products Purchased,Products Viewed,Categories Purchased, and Low Stock.

Products Purchased

The Products Purchased report will show you the products that have been purchased with details, the quantity of each purchased product, the total amount of purchased and the average price. It is used to target special offers on products that are most frequently bought.

Products Viewed

The Products Viewed report lists products viewed, languages viewed in and number of times. The report is used to target special offers on products that are most frequently viewed.

Categories Purchased

The Categories Purchased report lists all categories, quantity of purchased and total amount of money. It is used to target special offers on categories that are most frequently purchased.

Low Stock

The Low Stock report will display which products are running low.

Order ReportOrders Report lists general information relating orders with customers. It involves two types of reports, "Best Orders" and "Orders Total". Both are used by store owner to target special offers or discounts for customers who purchase often or most.

Best Orders

The Best Orders report, sorting by total cost descending, will tell you how much money and when the customers have spent on certain products at your store.

Order Total

The Orders Total report will tell you how much money in all some customer has spent at your store.

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Chapter 7: Promotions


TomatoCart administration panel offers quite a few promotion skills, which will not only give you effective sale methods, but also create and maintain good and long-term partnerships with your customers as well.

This section lists promotion modules in TomatoCart, which has been distributed into four parts, including Product Promotion Modules, Pricing, Coupons and Credits , ,and Email Marketing . Now, let's start the journey.

Product Promotion ModulesThere are various modules related to products: New Products, Also Purchased Products , Cross Sell Products, Upcoming Products, Product History and Best Sellers.

New ProductsIn store front, your customers may see the New Product in both Boxes field and Content field. It is well developed to offer numerous conveniences for customers to quickly get acquainted with the latest products. To enable New Products, navigate to admin>Templates>Template Modules>Boxes/Content.

About how to display New Products in the Boxes/Content field in your store, please refer to Displaying Modules-Boxes/Content.

New Products has several configurable options. You may set them in the edit page in both Boxes and Content, under admin>Templates>Template Modules.

Boxes• Define a value for the random new product selection.

• Define a number of minutes to keep the content cached (0=no cache).

Content• Define maximum number of new products to display in the store front.

• Define a number of minutes to keep the contents cached (0=no cache).

Also PurchasedCustomers Who Purchased This product Also Purchased module displays products that were purchased by other customers together with the product being viewed. This solution is widely used on other eCommerce platforms and has been proven to increase sales significantly. To enable the module,

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navigate to admin>Templates>Template Modules>Content. About how to display it it in your store, please refer to Displaying Modules-Content.

Also Purchased module has three configurable options in its edit window,under admin> Templates>Template Modules>Content. You may define:

• Minimum or Maximum number of also purchased products to display.

• Time interval in minutes to keep the contents cached (0=no cache).

Cross Sell ProductsXsell, namely Cross Sell products refer to the same kind or accessories of the current product and display under the product description of the current one in the store. To enable Xsell Products, navigate to admin>Templates>Template Modules>Content. More Information about this, please refer to Xsell Products.

Upcoming ProductsTo enable Upcoming Products, navigate to admin>Templates>Template Modules>Content. In its edit window, you may define the maximum entries to display and define time intervals in minutes to keep the contents cached (0= no cache). More information about it, please refer to Product Expected / Upcoming Products.

Product HistoryTomatoCart keeps track of the items you recently viewed, so that your customers can easily find it if they decide to purchase it later on. Your Recent History includes Recently Visited Products and Recent Categories(about how to display Product History, please refer to Modules-Content).

To enable Your Recent History, navigate to admin>Templates>Template Modules>Content.

Recently Visited Products contains a link to the page of each product which has recently been viewed or removed from the Compare Products list.

Recent categories contains all the categories of the Recently Visited Products.

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Best SellersBest Sellers automatically generates the list of your online store's best selling products (about how to display Best Sellers, refer to Modules-Boxes) to increase the possibility of purchasing.

PricingIf product modules above serve to help exchange shopping experiences between customers and store, price-cutting could be a direct and strong encouragement to shoppers, which is common in eCommerce. TomatoCart offers pricing promotions of Quantity Discount Groups and Specials.

Quantity Discount GroupsQuantity discount enables you to set separate prices based on different quantity levels and customer groups. More information about this, please refer to Quantity Discount Groups / Customer Groups .

Specials Compared to quantity discount groups, Specials is a simpler and more popular promotion method.

Installing SpecialsIf you would like to enable Specials in the store front, firstly you should enable the section under Modules>Services, where you can also configure the Specials section. More information about it, please refer to Services.

About how to display Specials in the store front, please refer to Displaying Modules-Boxes.

Adding Specials1. Find Specials under admin>Catalog.

2. Click “Add” to create a product on special.

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Illustration 152: Your Recent History


• Choose a product to be on special from the Pull-Down Menu.

• Set a special price for the product. This is the price that will be advertised and used when

the customer orders the product. The "original" price will also be displayed with a strike through font, with this price displayed next to it.

• This status determines whether or not the product is displayed as specials. If the status is unchecked, the product will still be available through the store as normal, just not as specials.

• Start Date/Expires On describes which time period the special price and status will be in effect.

The following illustration shows the product on Specials at the store.

Batch Adding SpecialsYou can feel that TomatoCart is so considerate and user friendly when using the newly improved

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Illustration 153: New Special

Illustration 154: Specials

NoteTo edit an existing product on specials, the row of the product is not editable.

NoteThe specials price should be set less than the "original" price, if not, an error will occur.


feature- Batch Add Specials, allowing you to add several products simultaneously. Click the “Batch Add” button, and a window appears as shown in the following illustration.

Certain products are accessible after searching in terms of Manufactures, Categories, Product Name and Product Model. All products at your store will appear after clicking Search if with none criteria.

For instance, when choosing Apple as Manufacturer and Laptop as Categories, you will get the target products after clicking “Search” button as in the above illustration. Click the field under the columns of “Special Price”, ”Start Date” and ”Expires on” to set the price, start date as well as expire date. Check “Status” to enable the product on special to be shown in store front, otherwise disable it.

Coupons and Store CreditsCoupons are sent as a kind of promotion in appreciation of customers' long-term visit and support, to name a few; Store Credits may be granted to customers as the same reasons as Coupons, which can be used as ready money at your store. This part will specify the widely used in online store sales promotions - Coupons and Store Credits.

CouponsIn the Coupons section, you are allowed to create a coupon, send a coupon to customers and view the redeem history of certain coupon.

Creating a new couponTo create a new coupon, navigate to the Coupons section under admin>Customers. And then click “Add”. In the New Coupon window, you should define: (The following illustration shows a sample of a new coupon window.)

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Illustration 155: Batch Add Specials


1. Coupon Name/ Coupon Description

2. Status

The coupon is available in the certain time period for the assigned customers, if Enable the coupon.

3. Coupon Type

Amount Coupon: Consumed in the store with the value defined in the Coupon Amount as the amount of money. And more choices of tax and shipping implementation.

Percentage Coupon: receivers may purchase goods on discount defined here.

Freeship Coupon: Literally purchase without freight.

4. Coupon Code

This field is not required. The system will automatically generate a random code for it, if it is not

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Illustration 156: New Coupon>Data

Illustration 157: New Coupon>Restriction


specifically defined.

5. Minimum Order

Define a value for Minimum Order, which suggests that orders under this amount of money paid in this coupon are actually not enabled.

6. Uses Per Coupon

Define the number of users of a Coupon, which suggests that the maximum value of customers this coupon will be available to.

7. Uses Per Customer

Define the use number of a Coupon per Customer, which suggests the maximum number of use for each customer.

8. Start Date/Expires Date

Define the duration when the coupon is available.

9. Restriction

As the title suggests, the coupon is not available in the restricted area.

None Restrictions: the coupon will be available for all products.

Categories Restrictions:The coupon will be unavailable in the selected categories.

Products Restrictions: The coupon will be unavailable in the selected products.

Sending a couponAfter setting up the coupon, send it by Email to the customers you want to reward. You may choose the customers and add messages for the coupon as the following illustration shows.

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NoteEach time the coupon is used, it is disposable.


Receiving Coupon Code EmailThe customer who you send the coupon to will receive the coupon in his/her mailbox as the following illustration tells.

The Email which the customer is to receive adopts the Email Template named “send_coupon”,which is predefined under admin>Tools>Email Templates, as the following illustration tells.

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Illustration 158: Send a Coupon

Illustration 159: Email-Coupon


Redeeming a Coupon in the Store FrontWith the Coupon code, your customer can redeem it during checkout, as the following illustration tells.

After redeeming the Coupon, it can be deleted with Delete button.

When the order is finished by redeeming a coupon code, the Order section will list the redeeming information of the coupon. The Invoices section, if any, will list details too. The following illustration shows the coupon redeeming of an order in the Order section.

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Illustration 161: Check differences

Illustration 160: Email Template-send_coupon


Viewing Redeem HistoryWhen a coupon is redeemed, you may see the Coupon Redeem History in the Coupon section as follows.

Store CreditsCustomer can pay with store credits as ready money during checkout procedure, which may come from merchandise return or from store bonus by store owner. As a promotion skill, you can present bonus to returning customers.

Checking Customers with Store CreditsThis point has been talked about in Chapter 6. Find it in Store Credits.

Paying with Store CreditsIf customers have got store credits, they can pay with the during checkout. The following image illustrates the first step of paying with store credits.

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Illustration 162: Coupon Redeem info in Order

Illustration 163: Coupon Redeem History


This illustration followed shows the situation after paying with store credits.

Store Credits in OrdersAfter confirming the order, you can check store credits in the Orders section as the following illustration shows. If the order has created an invoice, in the Invoices section list the related details too. The following illustration tells the store credits information in the Order section.

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Illustration 164: Pay with Store Credits_1

Illustration 165: Pay with Store Credits_2


Note that If an order is paid in store credit, its “Order Total” will only display cost excluding the store credit.

RSS FeedRSS, a family of web feed formats, is used to publish updated information of classified products whose category has been subscribed to. Users are able to acquire the latest information they subscribe to by online or offline readers after downloading.

Subscribing RSS FeedIt is simple to subscribe to an RSS Feed.

1. Click the RSS hyperlink or RSS icon at the bottom of your site as the following illustration shows.

2. In the RSS Feed page, all categories of products in your store are listed.

3. Click a certain category name or the RSS button to subscribe to it. For example, click “Desktops”, a new page appears as shown in the following illustration, listing the detailed

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Illustration 166: Store Credits in Orders

Illustration 167: RSS Feed

Illustration 168: Categories in RSS Feed


product information in the category.

Subscribers can choose a reader from the drop-down list at the top of the page. Check the checkbox to make it as a default reader. Click the subscription button to subscribe to the feed.

Email MarketingEmail marketing, if properly used, shall help to keep customers and potential customers come back. So TomatoCart develops Newsletter Manager for more customizable Emails than system Emails. And we explore Email use further, to present Customer Emails to improve your management.

System EmailsThe system sends Emails automatically in several occasions, which is defined in Email Templates.

Newsletter ManagementThe Newsletter Manager is a system that sends emails to the customers who have given their email address when creating an account. You will find it under admin>Tools.

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Illustration 169: RSS Feed Specific Page

NoteThe display of above illustration depends on the browser you are using, and the operating system your computer uses.


Adding a newsletter To add a new newsletter, you only have to provide its title, content and choose a module, and you might edit it like this:

• Module

Three newsletter modules are installed by default.

A generic Email can be sent to customers. The email content is more personal and specific than that in email templates.

The newsletter is used for sending emails to customers who have selected to receive newsletters upon creating their user account while the product notification to those who have selected to be notified of product updates.

• Content

The number of characters of the content will be referred to in the Newsletters window.

Sending Newsletters Depending on the newsletter module chosen, the customers may need to be defined before the newsletter can be sent. Just click the “Send E-Mai” button next to the edit graphic tool.

1. Send the E-Mail module

Select the customer Email account.

2. Send the Newsletter module

All you have to do to send the newsletters is to click the “Send E-Mail” button. Recipients have

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Illustration 171: E-mail Newsletter

Illustration 170: Newsletter_Special


chosen to receive newsletters either when registering or when checking under the My Account>My Notifications>Subscribe and unsubscribe to newsletters section in the store front.

The total number of recipients, the title of the Email and its content are seen.

3. Send the Product Notification module

Recipients have chosen to receive product notification when checking under the My Account>My Notifications>Viewing/Editing product notifications list section in the store front. The administrator only needs to select which products to be notified.

• To notify all the products, select “Global”.

• Not to notify all of them, first of all select the products, using the right/left pointer to select/discard products as the notified/ unnotified and the top/up/down/bottom pointer to sort selected products in the selected product listing. And then click “OK”.

Viewing a LogOnce a newsletter is sent, the “Edit” and “Send E-Mail” buttons are replaced by the “Log”. The following illustration tells the sent history about the Email addresses and the sent dates.

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Illustration 172: Newsletter

Illustration 173: Product Notification Newsletter


Customer EmailsThe CRM-Email is integrated into TomatoCart under the admin>Customers> Customer Emails section, with which you can manage all emails sent to your email accounts. Besides what you can do with common mailboxes, such as Check, Compose, Delete, Reply, Transfer emails, etc, you may also discover whether the sender is a registered member of your store. For the sender and registered member, you will see his Customer Information and Order History.

The following illustration shows Customer Emails without an Email account under admin>Customers. There are five buttons in the tool bar, performing different functions.

1. Check Email is used to receive real-time Emails from the email accounts which have been set up in this Email section.

2. Compose is used to write a new Email and send it.

3. Delete an Email after selecting it.

4. Accounts is used to set up Email accounts in this section. Store owners can have more than one Email accounts set up. So that they may manage Emails from all their Email boxes in ONE section.

5. Contact Info comprises customer information and order information, which will display in the right block once Contact Info is selected.

Creating New Email AccountTo enjoy the Customers Emails, firstly you can create Email accounts. Click Account as in above

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Illustration 174: Log

Illustration 175: Customer Emails (without an email account)


illustration, and then the Account pop-up window will present itself.

1. On the New E-mail Account>Properties tab page as the following illustration shows, enter your information as follows:

• Name: presents in the “From” field in any Emails.

• Email: presents in the "From" field in any Emails.

• Signature: presents in the Email content when you write an Email and it can be seen for recipients.

2. On the New E-mail Account>Incoming Mail tab page as the illustration shows, define your information as follows:

• Host

The domain name of your Email account server.

• Username

The Email address.

• Password

The Email account password.

• For your server type, select POP3 or IMAP. Whether POP3 or IMAP, the Port is used to connect the host server, which is automatically generated depending on the respective mail server.

• Check the Save checkbox to save a copy of message on server, only for POP3 Type.

• Use SSL: Not all Email server supports SSL validation. If the host server you entered above supports the SSL validation, you can check the Save checkbox, otherwise you can not.

• Checking of "Don’t validate certificate" is optional.

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Illustration 176: New E-mail Account>Properties


If IMAP is selected, extra three fields below is available to you. On the basis of IMAP Type, the system will automatically search for all folders in the Email server according to port number and the information entered above. Then the system checks the entered information accurate, it will upload what has found into the pull-down menu in each Folder field. You only have to choose a proper folder as in the following illustration.

• Sent Items Folder refers to the selected folder for saving the sent items.

• Trash Folder refers to the selected folder for saving Emails you have deleted in other folders.

• Draft Folder refers to the selected folder for saving the new or edited Emails you do not want to send at once. You can save it and send it next time.

3. On the New E-mail Account>Outgoing Mail tab page, set outgoing mail.

On how to set outgoing mail please refer to Incoming Mail tab.

Note: if checking Send Email with system mailer, the following information is not available and you will send out Emails with the Email account configured in the initial installation.

4. Select OK or Apply to complete the creation.

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Illustration 178: IMAP Type

Illustration 177: New E-mail Account>Incoming Mail


Viewing EmailsThe following illustration shows the Email (Having Email Accounts) page. Let's have a look at it.

The Email page is divided into five blocks: Mail Folders, Email Lists, Email Content, Customer Information and Order Information.

• Mail Folders are shown in a tree structure. The root directory name is the Email names you have created. For each account there are five system folders: Inbox, Sent items, Drafts, Spam and Trash. By right clicking each folder you can set subfolders. As for the created folders, you can add, delete and empty them by right clicking, but as for the system folder, you cannot delete them. If one folder shows in boldface, it suggests that the folder contains unread or unsettled Emails and the number in parentheses next to it means the quantity of those Emails.

• Select the folder item and you can view Emails in it in the From Field. The Emails in boldface are unread. You may reply (or reply all), forward, delete and print an Email using buttons in the

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Illustration 179: New E-mail Account>Outgoing Mail

Illustration 180: Email Page


center down area. By clicking “Quick Create”, you may add new customers, orders or products immediately. It save you from navigating to separate modules although the effects are the same. Additionally, you can double click the Email, and do with it in a new pop up window. If you right click an Email account you can open it in a new pop up window to settle and mark it either read or unread as your disposal.

• Select one Email and click Contact Info, the system will automatically search for information about this Email in the store and the search results display in the Right area, if there are. The Customer Information shows the information of the Email sender has made and the Order Information shows the orders he or she has made. Click “+” to view the concrete information of the order.

Composing EmailsThe following illustration shows Compose an Email page.

As what you can normally do with other Email systems, you can send, save drafts and add attachments. Besides, there are other options.

1. Extra Options

Check it, and you will receive an auto-respond from customers.

When you send an Email, you can set its priority, using a vague criterion of High, Normal or Low.

2. Show

Check the boxes under Show to display the following fields:

• Sender: From

• CCField: Cc, that is Carbon Copy. It means that Email accounts, to be entered, separated by commas, will be receive the Email too, and the receiver can see to whom the sender also send the Email copy.

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Illustration 181: Compose Email


• BCCField: Bcc, that is Blind Carbon Copy. As it suggest, it differs from CCField in that receivers can not see to whom the copy is sent to.

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NoteWhen you click Compose, the system will first of all check whether an account is already exists. If not, the system will suggest you creating an account.

Chapter 8: Improving Your Store


We advise you to improve your store after configuration, design, catalog, customers, orders and promotions. It doesn't mean that what the last chapter covers is not important or is less important. Rather, we presume that you grow aware of what to improve and how after so much review. This chapter then suggests four ways to improve your store;

• Managing Content

• Paying attention to Product Exhibition

• Making full use of Tools

• Internationalizing your store

Content Management TomatoCart features a powerful, flexible Content Management System(CMS). Within it you can create and control the content of stores including Articles, FAQs, Slide Images and the way how these will be displayed.

Articles You may release any news about your store or something else attractive, which help your customers both obtain more information and enjoy themselves at your site. Before creating articles, you should create article categories for them.

Creating an article category1. Find the Article Categories section under admin>Content.

2. Add a new article category.

You only have to provide the name, define the status-whether to display it in the store front or not, and set the sort order.

Creating an article 1. Find the Articles section under admin>Content.

2. Add a new article.

In the adding page, you may:

• Change the status to display the article in the frontend or not.

• Select in which category (created in admin>Content>Article Categories) to put the article.

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• Input the sort order.

• Use Browser to upload an image for the article. To delete the current image, select "Delete" to the right of the image.

• Give more details in the Description field about the article including Name, Description, Tag and Keywords in each installed language.

Installing Article CategoriesTo enable Articles/Article Categories, navigating to admin>Templates>Template Modules>Boxes. In its edit page, you can define the maximum amount of article categories to display in the listing.

About how to display Article Categories in the store front, please refer to Displaying Modules-Boxes.

The following illustration shows an article in the store front.

FAQsThe Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section allows you to create questions and answers pairs, which can be displayed at your site to give customers directions for anything confused.

Creating FAQs1. Find the FAQs section under admin>Content.

2. Add a new FAQ

In the add page, you may:

• Determine whether to display it in frontend or not.

• Define the sort order.

• Main settings regarding the FAQ include Question and Answer. Input the title of the FAQ

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NoteIf a category has contained one or more articles, it can not be deleted. If you really would like to remove the article category, you have to make sure no articles are assigned to it.

Illustration 182: View an Article


into the Question text field, and detailed answer into the Answer text field.

Installing FAQsTo enable FAQs, navigating to admin>Templates>Template Modules>Boxes. About how to display FAQs in the store front, please refer to Displaying Modules-Boxes.

The following illustration shows a FAQ in the store front.

Slide ImagesThe Slide Images section lists the images played in the frontend to achieve dynamic effects. The slide images may be set as the pictures of the products at your store, which will not only make your site attractive, but also may increase the sales of these products.

Creating a new slide image1. Find the Slide Images section under admin>Content.

2. Add a new slide image

In the adding page, you may:

• Determine whether to display it in the front end or not.

• Define the sort order.

• Use Browser to upload an image. The maximum size of the upload slide images is 200KB.

• Use the Description field to describe each uploaded slide image in detail.

• Define the URL in the text field so that when clicking the image at your site, you could see it in a new page provided that a correct URL is set.

Installing SlideshowTo enable Slide Images, navigating to admin>Templates>Template Modules>Boxes. In its editing window, you may define options like:

• The slideshow mode, vertical or horizontal.

• Whether or not to display slide info.

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Illustration 183: View a FAQ


• The values of image width and height.

• The slide show interval duration.

About how to display it in the store front, please refer to Displaying Modules-Boxes.

The following illustration shows the slide images in the store front.

Product ExhibitionProduct display in different ways may have varied effects. Products in TomatoCart can display in Image Menu, Slideshow, Products Slider or Product Scroller effect.

About how to display them in store front, please refer the first three to Displaying Modules-Content, the other to Displaying Modules-Boxes.

Image MenuBoth of their product images are managed under admin>Content>Slide Images. In the form of Image Menu, products display in opened images or closed images.

In Image Menu Edit window, you may define values of:

• The width/height of the image menu

• The width of opened/closed image

• The width of border between images

• The milliseconds of slide interval

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Illustration 185: Image Menu

Illustration 184: Slide Images in Store Front


• The milliseconds between images transition duration

SlideshowWith Slideshow effect, a group of product images, selected under the admin>Content>Slide Images, display either vertically or horizontally. More information about it, please refer to Slide Images.

Products Slider/Product ScrollerProduct Slider differs from Product Scroller in that it displays in the Content field, while the latter in the Box.

Edit options under admin>Templates>Template Modules are totally the same:

• Determine which products will be shown in the store front, New Products, Best Sellers or Specials.

• Define maximum entries of products to display.

• Determine the direction up or down, and define values of Width/Height, Duration and Interval.

Products Slider displays products like this:

Products Scroller displays products like this:

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Illustration 186: New Products on Products Slider

Illustration 187: Best Sellers


ToolsAll sections in Tools are dedicated to work only for store owner (or who else have the permission to go to the back end). We wish to make your administration more effective and efficient.

These tools include:

• Administrator Role (including Administrators and Administrator Logs )

• Banner Management

• Cache Control

• Database Backup Management

• File Management

• Google Sitemaps

• Dashboard

• Server Information

Administrator RoleThere are two sections under Administrator Role, Administrators and Administrator Logs. You can set permissions to someone who may get access to the admin area in the Administrators section (under admin>Tools), and you can check what operations you have done in the Administrator Logs section(under admin>Tools).

Creating an Administrator1. Find the Administrator section under admin>Tools.

2. Add a new administrator.

3. In the add page, you may:

• Define Username of the administrator and Password

• Check the accessed modules.

Select individually, Configuration and Content only for instance, to allow access to just two selected modules to the administrator named admin.

Select “Global Access”, and hence this administrator will have full access to the administration panel.

Administrator LogsYou can view all the operations have been done in the admin area by navigating to the Administrator Logs section, under admin>Tools. The information here are:

1. Module

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where the administrative operation took place. The figure in the brackets is the number of items of this record in the detailed page.

2. ID

the fixed operation ID in the system.

3. Type

Specific operation types include Update, Delete, Insert and etc.

4. User

whom the operation was done by.

You can also click “information graphic tool” to view details of a specific administrator log.

Banner ManagementBanner Manager, under admin>Tools, is a simple banner management implementation that displays image or HTML based banners, and tracks impressions and clicks on a per banner basis.

Each banner is assigned a group which is used for displaying banners in the set group. This allows certain banners to be shown throughout certain locations on the overall web site layout.

The information in Banner Manager are:

1. Group

The group each banner belongs to is listed under the column header "Group".

2. Statistics

The Statistics value equals view counts divided by click throughs.

3. Status

It is used to set the banner either active or inactive.

Creating a bannerClick Add in the tool bar, and then a New window will present itself where covers the following information.

1. Title

The banner title.

2. URL

The landing page address when the banner is clicked.

3. Group

The banner group which holds related banners. New Groups can be set when values are entered.

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4. Banner Type

Banner images can be uploaded to the server via the Banner Manager, or can be set to an image already existing on the server. If an image is to be uploaded, a destination path on the server can be defined which needs to be writable by the web server.

HTML based banners can be defined in the HTML Text field provided, and can, for example, contain HTML and JavaScript tags to display a text, image, or Flash based banner.

5. Scheduled Date

A future date when the banner is to become active. If no scheduled date is defined, the banner is automatically active when saved.

6. Expiry Date

The expiration value can be set for a specific date or for a specific impression count value. When this value has been reached, the banner will automatically become inactive. If no expiration value is defined, the banner will always remain active.

7. Maximum Impressions

Set a value for the maximum impression.

8. Status

Previewing a bannerClick the "Preview" button in its row to view the details of the banner . If Image type is selected, in the pop-up window, you will see an image; if HTML Text, the text you have set for the banner will be shown.

Viewing the Statistics of a BannerIn Statistics windows, you may have a look at the statistics in forms of graphs and table by selecting frequency.

The following two illustrations show separately daily statistics in table and graph in January 2010. The blue area covers count views, and the red one as click throughs.

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Cache ControlThe Cache Control section, under admin>Tools>Cache Control, allows to save certain areas of the shopping cart to a cache folder named “work”. This allows for a performance increase when users are browsing the store as the database is not queried again until the cache has expired or has been reset by the store owner. The directory for holding cache pages is set up during the setup procedure and the folder is called “work” during the installation but it can be renamed.

In Cache Control page shows the cache block, the file quantity and the exact time of the last modification.

You can delete cache blocks. Once removed from the work (cache) directory, these cached pages will be replaced automatically when accessed again.

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Illustration 189: Statistics-Table

Illustration 188: Statistics-Graphs


Database Backup ManagementThe Database Backup Manager section, under admin>Tools>Database Backup Manager, allows store owner to make backups of the store’s database, including all customer and order information. It is recommended that regular backups of store are taken.

There is no tool in the administrative section to automatically make backups, and it should be known that many hosting sites also do not make regular backups of this information unless explicitly asked.

Within this section, you can

• backup a database: To backup the stores database, click the backup button in the toolbar. A file is going to be created in the backup directory without any compression as default.

• download a backup: If a backup file is selected, it will not be created on the server but downloaded to the store owner’s computer.

• restore a backup.

Restoring a backupThe store's database can be restored to a saved backup file either already saved on the server or from a local file that was previously downloaded.

1. To restore a file that is on the server, click on the filename of the desired backup and then restore.

2. To restore from a backup stored on the local computer, press the restore button in the row.

File ManagementFile Manager, under admin>Tools, is characterized by the function to deal with all the files, including creating, deleting, editing and renaming new files and folders.

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NoteThe backup directory needs to be created by store owner and given the permissions of 777 to give the webserver writing permission for that folder.

NoteDo not interrupt the backup or restoration process which might take a couple of minutes. For security reasons this is best done through a HTTPS connection so that the information cannot be intercepted.


The above file manager window is divided into two parts: a tree structure on the left and a list of files and folders on the right.

Only folders are listed in the tree structure, on the left. Click “+” or the name of a folder to unfold sub-folders; click “-” or double click the name of a folder to fold the sub-folders. Right click the folder, a context menu appears as in the above illustration, including Add, Edit, and Delete folder functions.

On the right dialog box, there are five buttons. Within these buttons, you may upload a file (files can be simultaneously uploaded), create a new file by clicking New File, create a new directory by clicking New Directory. For each file, you have the options to edit, download and delete it. Double click a folder, you can go to its sub-folder (s) or sub-file(s). Double click a file, you can directly go to the Edit window.

Import/Export Import/Export, under admin>Tools, enables you to import or export the data of Customers and Products among your store. It implements the Customers' and Products' data switch between parallel systems.

Exporting Customers' DetailsTo export your store's customer list to a CSV(Comma-Separated Values) or XML(eXtensible Markup Language) file, you may do it like:

1. Navigate to the Import/Export section, under admin>Tools, and choose Customers tab.

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Illustration 190: Tools>File Manager


2. File Type: Select the type of the two file(CSV/XML) to which you want to export customers' details.

3. Fields terminated/enclosed by: In case of CSV file, you have to specify “Fields terminated by” (character separator)” and ”Fields enclosed by” (unit separator). The default separators are “,” and “” ” respectively. In case of XML, these two fields are not editable and become gray.

4. Compression: Select NONE or ZIP from the pull down list. NONE is the default value. A zip file will be exported if ZIP is selected.

5. Export: Click Export as shown in the above illustration, and then a download window that displays depends on your browser you are using, and the operating system your computer

uses, appears to suggest saving the exporting file.

Importing Customers' DetailsThe additional operation than that in exporting customers' details is to upload a file by clicking “browse graphic tool”.

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Illustration 191: Export Customers' Details

Tip As exporting products' details, please refer to what has mentioned above.


Google SitemapsGoogle Sitemaps, under admin>Tools>Google Sitemaps, is an easy tool for webmasters to inform Google about pages on its sites that are available for crawling.

Creating SitemapsSet the renewal frequencies of Categories, Products and Articles in Daily, Monthly or Yearly depending on your business need. You can also configure the priority of each item. Click Create Sitemaps to save these settings.

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TipAs importing products' details, please refer to what has mentioned above.

Considering the slow resolving process when the data are numerous, please be patient to wait either a successful window or a failure window. Don’t refresh the window when it’s in process.

NoteIn case of a compressed file, a resolving error will occur, unless you specify the uploaded file as ZIP format. If the same record of the customers‘ details are contained in the system database, it will be directly covered after import.

Illustration 192: Importing Customers' Details


Submitting Sitemaps to GoogleWhen the settings of Sitemaps have been customized, you have not set a Sitemaps successfully until you submit them to Google Spider. You will receive a sitemap notification from the Google site whether the process of submission is completed successfully. Depending on the suggestions in the notification, you can apply for a Google account to track your website via Google webmasters’ tools.

DashboardWhile the Reports section offers a specific information about your site, you can get a quick view of some of the most important information regarding your site with the TomatoCart Dashboard. In the left column of the Dashboard window is Portlets, with 13 detailed items. To display a portlet, select it under the left Portlets column, and then drag to the right portal page or doubleclick it. To hide the detailed information to leave only the title of the portlet, click the triangle next to the "close graphic tool". To display it, click the triangle down. Certainly, the location of a portlet in the portal page could be moved by dragging its title bar into another dashed frame seen when the portlet window is moved.

Next, let’s have a look at the details of each item under the Portlet column.

1. Browsers Statistics

Browsers Statistics lists various kinds and rough share of browsers the visitors viewed your site using with.

2. Countries

Countries of residence for the visitors and rough share are listed here.

3. Last visits

The statistics of the recent half a month visit counts of your site can be viewed here.

4. New Customers

The New Customers portlet will display newly-registering customer’s name, date of visiting and status of activity.

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NoteMake sure that your computer is connected to the Internet when performing the process of submission, otherwise, you cannot execute this action successfully.

NoteThe more constantly a store updates products or articles, the more frequently sitemaps tend to be created. The priority setting ranges from 0.00 to 1.00, two valid figures admitted. The larger the value is set, the higher priority it possesses.


5. New Orders

As the name suggests, this portlet will display the latest orders, sorting descending by the date, showing with total monetary amount of the order, ordered date and the status.

6. Reviews

The products reviewed by customers will be displayed in the Reviews portlet, with the language the product was viewed in, rate and rating date. The more the stars are colored yellow, the higher the products are thought of.

7. Order Total Statistics

This portlet tell you total monetary amount of each day in the recent half a month.

8. Orders Status

The Orders Status portlet will display order status, which has been set into eight types, that is pending, processing, preparing, partly paid, paid, partly delivered, delivered and canceled. Besides, the number of orders in separate status is displayed.

9. OS Statistics

The OS Statistics portlet will display various kinds and rough share of operating systems the customers use.

10.Overview

The Overview portlet is set to display the number of "Customers", "Orders", "Products" and "Reviews".

11. Resolution

The Resolution portlet will display various kinds and rough share of resolutions the customers use in their computers.

12.Search Engine

The Search Engine portlet will display various kinds and rough share of search engine the customers use in their computers.

Server InformationThe server information section, under admin>Tools>Server Information, shows the store owner details on the configuration of the webserver that can be used to help diagnose issues.

Server information includes Server Host, Server OS, Server Date, Server Up Time, Database Host, Database, Database Date, Database Up Time, HTTP Server and PHP Version.

This information presentation makes it easier to find and resolve issues when asking for help in bug reports or the community forum.

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LanguagesTo internationalize your store, you'd better provide language alternatives. The system has only one language, English, set by default. You can upload and manage your language the Languages section, under admin>Definitions.

Uploading a LanguageClick “Upload “, and then Browse to find a zipped language package from your computer or local network. See the illustration below.

Note that go to TomatoCart Online Translator for more languages.

Importing a languageAfter uploading a language, you can import by clicking “Add”. In the Import Language popup window, you do these procedures shown in the following to import a new language.

1. Select Language

2. Select Type of Import

3. There are three types of import. Select one of them.

4. Select "Save" to implement the action.

Editing a LanguageIn the Languages section, click “edit graphic tool” to edit a language (taking English as an example).

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Illustration 193: Upload Language

http://www.tomatocart.com/translator


You may do it abiding by the following steps:

1. Name, Code & Locale

For a specific language, it has the name and set code. Locale has unified expression. The locale format is code. UTF-8,code,name. Beside the English language expression is en_US.UTF-8,en_US, english, for the Deutsch language, for example, its Name should be "Deutsch", Code "de_DE", and Locale "de_DE.UTF-8, de_DE, Deutsch".

2. Character Set should be "utf-8" as the default setting.

3. Select to display texts in either "from left to right" or "from right to left" direction.

4. Define Short Date Format, Long Date Format and Time Format

The date and time formats actually state the order of time unit. Specifically, Short Date Format - %m/%d/%Y means the short date order should be Month as number first (such as, 01-12), Day of the month second ( such as, 01-31) and Year with century last (such as, 2009). Long Date Format - %A%d%B,%Y suggests the long time order of Full Weekday Name first, Day second, Full Month Name third and Year with century last. Time Format- %H:%M:%S exemplifies the time order of 24-hour clock first, Minute second and Second last.

5. Select Default Currency which should be one in the "Currency" module, renewable.

6. Define Currency Decimal Separator and Currency Thousands Separator

7. Parent Language

Parent language refers to the generalized language, regardless of country difference. Take the parent language English as an example, it may include American English, British English, etc.

8. Input the sort order.

9. If the selected currency isn't set as the default, the box "Set as Default"will appear.

Exporting a LanguageIn the Languages section, click “export graphic tool” to export a language (taking English as an

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NoteThe installed languages can be seen in the admin>Languages as the following illustration shows. Select a language you are familiar with and it will be applied in the installation environment, administration panel and the store front.

Illustration 194: admin>Language


example).

You may just select among the definition groups, check "Export with Language Data" and click "Export".

Editing translations of storefrontBy editing translations of storefront, TomatoCart gives you absolutely flexibility and convenience to make your store more local and friendly. The illustration below shows a editing module window.

Click a certain folder in the left dialog box to see all items included. To edit a certain field, two methods are offered. Click the field under Value attribute column or click “edit graphic tool” in its row. Since “Share Your Wishlist ” title is valued as in the illustration above, it will then appear in the store front like:

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Illustration 196: Edit Module

Illustration 195: Exporting a language


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Illustration 197: Editing Module-Share Your Wishlist

Index

Index

A................................................Abandoned Cart................................................94, 108

Adding Manufacturers..............................................52

administrator.............................................15, 138, 139

Administrator Logs.................................................138

also purchased.............................................5, 112, 113

Article.....................................................5, 7, 133, 134

Article Categories.......................................................7

Assigning Customer Groups.....................................88

autorun....................................................................6, 7

B................................................Banner...............................................40, 138, 139, 140

Best Sellers.......................5, 46, 47, 48, 112, 114, 137

Boxes.......39, 45, 46, 47, 48, 54, 67, 91, 92, 112, 114, 134, 135, 136

C................................................Cache Control.................................................138, 141

Categories ................................................................59

checkout.......5, 19, 25, 29, 30, 32, 33, 76, 78, 85, 105, 108, 120, 121

Compare Products...................................5, 88, 91, 113

Content.....4, 6, 45, 47, 49, 50, 70, 112, 113, 133, 136, 137, 138

context menu...................................................6, 7, 143

Coupons....................................................10, 112, 116

Credit Cards............................................10, 29, 33, 35

Credit Slips.........................................80, 81, 109, 110

Cross Sell........................................5, 47, 70, 112, 113

Currencies.......................5, 10, 29, 34, 35, 41, 55, 100

Customer Details............................................4, 22, 23

Customer Groups..........10, 51, 56, 57, 76, 87, 88, 114

customer reviews..........................................42, 88, 93

D................................................Dashboard...............................85, 87, 94, 95, 138, 146

Database Backup............................................138, 142

desktop............................................................3, 5, 6, 7

Displaying Manufacturers........................................53

Downloadable products..................51, 71, 72, 95, 103

E.................................................E-Mail Options.............................................19, 20, 27

Email......19, 27, 28, 39, 108, 112, 119, 124, 125, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131

Email Linefeeds........................................................27

email templates...................10, 39, 105, 109, 124, 125

F.................................................FAQs.........................................5, 7, 10, 133, 134, 135

file manager....................................................142, 143

Flat Rate..............................................................29, 30

Free Shipping......................................................29, 38

G................................................GeoIP..................................................................40, 86

Gift Certificate............27, 38, 51, 72, 73, 74, 104, 105

I..................................................Import/Export..........................................................143

inventory management..............................................24

Invoices.........................18, 84, 95, 106, 109, 120, 122

L.................................................Language............................6, 34, 41, 42, 93, 148, 149

Last Visits .................................................................86

logo.................................................................1, 44, 52

M................................................Manufacturers...........................................5, 51, 52, 54

Meta Info.............................................................59, 65

modules............4, 6, 10, 17, 45, 46, 47, 50, 51, 74, 88

My Account........................4, 5, 76, 78, 103, 110, 126

My Wishlist.....................................................5, 81, 82

153

Index

N................................................New Product ............................................................65

newsletter..............................10, 23, 83, 124, 125, 126

notifications......................................5, 46, 76, 83, 126

O................................................Order.....19, 26, 38, 46, 79, 95, 96, 106, 109, 127, 147

Order Settings.........................27, 72, 74, 75, 103, 104

order status......................................29, 33, 38, 98, 147

P.................................................Payment Modules...............................................32, 35

per item...............................................................29, 30

Product....................................................................107

Product Attributes...................................52, 63, 65, 69

Product Expected........................................66, 67, 113

Product History...............................................112, 113

product listing...............................23, 53, 91, 101, 126

product Model...................................................66, 116

Product Quantity Units.................................10, 51, 59

Product Variants......................................52, 61, 63, 68

Purchased Downloadables....................72, 73, 95, 103

Q................................................quantity discount groups.....10, 51, 56, 57, 58, 88, 114

quickstart.................................................................6, 7

R................................................Redeem...................................101, 105, 116, 120, 121

Regulations...............................................................28

Report......................................................................111

return requests.....................................80, 98, 109, 110

Reviews.................................................10, 92, 93, 147

RSS Feed.................................................................123

S.................................................Search .......................................................................88

Server information..........................................138, 147

Services.......................................................40, 92, 114

Shipping/Packaging .................................................20

ShortCut..............................................................6, 7, 9

Sidebar....................................................................8, 9

Simple Products..................................................51, 71

Slide Images...................7, 10, 47, 133, 135, 136, 137

SMTP............................................................19, 27, 28

Specials ............................................................10, 114

Store Credits.........83, 84, 85, 100, 108, 116, 121, 122

T.................................................Table Rate.....................................................29, 30, 31

Tax..............................................18, 21, 29, 35, 37, 66

Tax Classes.............................................29, 35, 36, 37

Tell a Friend..................................5, 21, 46, 88, 91, 92

Templates......................................4, 5, 10, 44, 50, 137

U................................................Upcoming Product....................................................67

Upcoming Products.........................5, 47, 67, 112, 113

USPS...................................................................29, 31

V.................................................Virtual Products .......................................................71

W................................................weight classes...............................................10, 51, 55

Who's Online..........................................10, 40, 42, 86

Wishlist...............5, 41, 76, 81, 82, 83, 85, 88, 91, 150

Wizard.....................................................10, 17, 21, 27

X.................................................Xsell Products.............................................10, 70, 113

Z.................................................Zone Groups.................................................10, 29, 36

Zone Rates....................................................29, 31, 32

zones...................................................................35, 36

154

Date post:	19-Dec-2015
Category:	Documents
Upload:	andry-martinez
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