General Category/Department pages, link to product detail

[CarolA]

Yes, I'm a newbie. I'm wading through all the tutorials on the ShopSite site, and awesome information here. But I'm getting bleary-eyed trying to figure out what I'm sure is a simple thing to do.

I want to have a general category department page - such as "Women's Department". And have all the items for ladies on this page - listed 4 across. There would be thumbnail images, a product name, price. The user could click on name or thumbnail and see the product detail page. On that page, they could see all the details, select size, color, add to cart.

Now, I'm going to be creating custom templates. And I know that the product detail page will be done using MoreInfo. My problem right now is that it seems that the product template stays the same wherever I have the product. I either have my size/color, add to cart on both the category and the detail page, or it's on neither page. How do I just have basics on my department page, and all the details and ability to order on the moreinfo page?

Sorry - I'm sure this is easy and obvious. I can see stores using ShopSite that have done this, so I know it's doable. I appreciate whoever will take the time to point me in the right direction. Thanks!!

[CarolA]

So, if I get the answer right, will you tell me? Do I create a custom product template with only product summary information, then do a product template override in the page template, to use this new template instead of the one assigned to the product? (which would be the detailed one)....

[CarolA]

Or....I just create one custom product template - the regular product section is just summary, and the more_info section has the details. And it looks like I can specify the # of columns across when I do the product loop.

I only have 1 more day to figure this out before my demo store expires. I already have an established site using a different shopping cart, and I need prove that ShopSite will work for us, and if so, how long it will take me to convert our site.

So, I apologize if I'm getting ahead of myself - asking questions about things I'm sure I'll know the answer to once I spend a month at this. I just don't have a month right now.

[Jim]

A custom product template contains 3 parts: DEFINE PRODUCT, DEFINE SUBPRODUCT and DEFINE MORE_INFO_PAGE. So one template should do all that you need.

The Define product part is what will display on regular store pages where the product is assigned. The Define More_info-page part is what creates your more detailed page about the specific product. The Define Subproduct can be used in either the Define Product section or the Define More_info_page to display subproducts that are assigned to the product.

There are samples in the online help at:
http://shopsite.com/help/9.0/en-US/sc/p ... l#examples

and an example with a moreinformation page at
http://www.shopsite.com/templates/examp ... _info.html

Don't worry about the demo store expiring just request an extension. let me know what the storeid for the store is and I'll extend it. You can find the storeid by clicking on the green ShopSite tab and looking in the footer of the page between the ShopSite logos.

Post specific questions if you get stuck. It may take a little while to get an answer but one will usually come from the forum.

[CarolA]

Thanks Jim. I did get a very basic custom product template made, and a custom product page that uses it, so I'm feeling much better now.

I'm especially relieved to know that I can extend my demo. That will help immensely. My store id is evaluate36.

thank you!!