Add Category allows users to create a new category.

The name of the category will vary from site to site, and after version 3.00, it is possible to have more than one category type.

The most important field to complete when creating a new category is the “Directory Name”.

Please note that the “Directory Name” must contain only characters of the alphabet and/or numbers. The use of spaces and punctuations is not allowed.

After version 3.00, you may also enter Meta information about the category, which is used to tell search engines what information is contained in the category.

“Meta_Title” – Is the Title of the category and is given the most importance by most search engines. As a rule of thumb, the “Meta_Title” should be between 3 – 8 words. The use of punctuation is allowed.

“Meta_Keywords” – should contain all the keywords that help to describe what the category encompasses. As a rule of thumb, all the keywords/keyphrases should be separated by a comma, and no keyword should be repeated more than 3 times- otherwise it may be marked as being spam by search engines. Creative use of capitalisation and singular/plural of words should be used.

“Meta_Description” – should contain a brief description of the category. As a rule of thumb, a sentence or a paragraph should suffice.

For categories that permit the upload of image(s), please ensure that the images are:-

1. Jpeg format
2. 72 pixels / inch
3. RGB Format (not CMYK or Grayscale)

Add Item allows users to create a new item within a category.

Please note that, items can only be added within a category.

The name of the item will vary from site to site, and after version 3.00, it is possible to have more than one item type.

Upon completion, press “Submit”.

After version 3.00, you may also enter Meta information about the category, which is used to tell search engines what information is contained in the category.

“Meta_Title” – Is the Title of the category and is given the most importance by most search engines. As a rule of thumb, the “Meta_Title” should be between 3 – 8 words. The use of punctuation is allowed.

“Meta_Keywords” – should contain all the keywords that help to describe what the category encompasses. As a rule of thumb, all the keywords/keyphrases should be separated by a comma, and no keyword should be repeated more than 3 times- otherwise it may be marked as being spam by search engines. Creative use of capitalisation and singular/plural of words should be used.

“Meta_Description” – should contain a description of the category. As a rule of thumb, a sentence or a paragraph should suffice.

For categories that permit the upload of image(s), please ensure that the images are:-

1. Jpeg format
2. 72 pixels / inch
3. RGB Format (not CMYK or Grayscale)

The Setting area allows users to manage profile information, contact details, configuration for delivery, delivery parameters, change company logo, etc. To make changes to the Settings, click on the link “edit SETTING”.

Returning Limit
After an order has been shipped out, there is a period within which the shopper can return the order if the products are defective or if he/she decided that for whatever reason that the order is not suitable. The “Returning Limit” defines the total numbers of days between the time the order has been shipped and the time when the order is allowed to be returned.

Store Pickup Method
This is the delivery method that is designed for sales made through a retail store or online with the customer picking up the order at the retail store. For CartSmith this is the shipping method that will not subject the shopper a shipping & handling fee.

Repending Method
In the event that an order should be replaced, this field defines the default shipping method that will be used for sending out of the replacement items.

Accept Expiry Refresh
After an order has been received and replaced, this field defines whether the “Returming Limit” of the replaced order is refreshed or not. (e.g. if a shopper purchases an order, he/she is given 45 days within which to return the products for whatever reason, after 7 days, the shopper decides to return the products for replacement, once the products are replacement products are sent out, the “Accept Expiry Refresh” defines whether the shopper is given another 45 days within which to re-return the purchased item(s) or not)

Decline Expiry RefreshThe Setting area allows users to manage profile information, contact details, configuration for delivery, delivery parameters, change company logo, etc. To make changes to the Settings, click on the link “edit SETTING”.

Returning Limit
After an order has been shipped out, there is a period within which the shopper can return the order if the products are defective or if he/she decided that for whatever reason that the order is not suitable. The “Returning Limit” defines the total numbers of days between the time the order has been shipped and the time when the order is allowed to be returned.

Store Pickup Method
This is the delivery method that is designed for sales made through a retail store or online with the customer picking up the order at the retail store. For CartSmith this is the shipping method that will not subject the shopper a shipping & handling fee.

Repending Method
In the event that an order should be replaced, this field defines the default shipping method that will be used for sending out of the replacement items.

Accept Expiry Refresh
After an order has been received and replaced, this field defines whether the “Returming Limit” of the replaced order is refreshed or not. (e.g. if a shopper purchases an order, he/she is given 45 days within which to return the products for whatever reason, after 7 days, the shopper decides to return the products for replacement, once the products are replacement products are sent out, the “Accept Expiry Refresh” defines whether the shopper is given another 45 days within which to re-return the purchased item(s) or not)

Decline Expiry Refresh
After an order has been received and declined for refund and replacement, this field defines whether the “Returming Limit” of the declined order is refreshed or not. (e.g. if a shopper purchases an order, he/she is given 45 days within which to return the products for whatever reason, after 7 days the shopper decides to return the products for replacement, but the merchant decides that the grounds for replacement is inadequate and returns the original item(s), once the returned products are sent out, the “Declin Expiry Refresh” defines whether the shopper is given another 45 days within which to re-return the purchased item(s) or not)

Default No of Rules
When defining the shipping rates for the various shipping methods and their routes, the Default No of Rules defines the default number of rules that will appear on the page.

Max Rules
When defining the shipping rates for the various shipping methods and their routes, the Max Rules defines the maximum number of rules that will can be added for a particular rule.
 
After an order has been received and declined for refund and replacement, this field defines whether the “Returming Limit” of the declined order is refreshed or not. (e.g. if a shopper purchases an order, he/she is given 45 days within which to return the products for whatever reason, after 7 days the shopper decides to return the products for replacement, but the merchant decides that the grounds for replacement is inadequate and returns the original item(s), once the returned products are sent out, the “Declin Expiry Refresh” defines whether the shopper is given another 45 days within which to re-return the purchased item(s) or not)

Default No of Rules
When defining the shipping rates for the various shipping methods and their routes, the Default No of Rules defines the default number of rules that will appear on the page.

Max Rules
When defining the shipping rates for the various shipping methods and their routes, the Max Rules defines the maximum number of rules that will can be added for a particular rule.

It is necessary to define the delivery destination (under Country), the shipping methods (under Shipping Methods) and the warehouse locations (under Warehouse) before defining Shipping Rates. The Shipping Rates section allows the merchant to defines the shipping rates for the various shipping methods to the various countries to which deliveries are offered.

When adding a Shipping Rate, the Route refers to the source of the products (defined by the Warehouse) and the destination where the products will be sent (defined by the Country). The Method refers to the shipping method (defined under the Shipping Method section) which usually refers to the name of the Shipping Method. (e.g. UPS, Fedex, Standard Registered Mail, etc.)

The total Shipping Rate of a shipment can determined by two parameters:- (i) Weight of the total order and (ii) Price of the total order. Under the section “Charge Rules”, the amount will refer to the total weight if the Weight parameter is chosen and the total price if the Price parameter is chosen and the Charge refers to the monetary amount charged for a particular rule.

The “Add Rule” link offers the ability to add additional rules for definition.

If the merchant wishes to submit the following shipping rates:-

Total Order Amount  Cost of Shipping
US$ 0 – 50            US$ 10
US$ 51 – 99          US$ 20
US$ < 100             US$ 0

The merchant shoul enter the following information:

Determined By : Price

Rule 1: Amount : 50           Charge: 10
Rule 2:  Amount : 99          Charge : 20
Rule 3:  Amount : 100         Charge : 0

Note that the default currency must be set to US$ before proceeding.

The country section determines the list of countries that orders will be delivered to.

It is necesary to define all of the warehouses where physical stock will be stored before defining the countries, because when adding a country it is necessary to identify which warehouse will deliver to that particular country first.

To add country, click on the link “ADD country” link and within the “Country Name”, enter the name of country that will be covered and then choose the warehouse name that will fulfill orders to this country.

CartSmith is offers a multi-currency shopping environment. The default currency should be the first currency added and whose value should be 1.00, the default currency can be any currency whatsoever. To add a currency, click on “ADD currency”.

Code
Defines the three-letter code of the currency (e.g. US Dollars is USD, Hong Kong dollars is HKD and British Pounds is GBP)

Symbol left
For some currencies the currency symbol precedes the monetary amount and is placed to the left (e.g. US dollars the left symbol is $ or US$, Hong Kong dollars is $ or HK$, etc. ) If the currency symbol should come after the monetary amount, this field should be left blank.

Symbol Right
For some currencies the currency symbol follows the monetary amount and is placed to the right (e.g. French Francs the right symbol is F or FF, Deutsch Mark is DM or DEM, etc. ) If the currency symbol should come before the monetary amount, this field should be left blank.

Decimal Right
Defines the symbol used for the decimal place. In most countries, it is denoted by a full stop but there are certain european countries where the decimal place is denoted by a comma. (e.g. for French Francs the Decimal Right will be a “,” whereas for Hong Kong dollars the Decimal Right will “.”)

Thousand Point
Defines the symbol used for the thousand separator. In most countries, it is denoted by a comma but there are certain european countries where a full-stop is used instead and in Sweden a space is used.

Value
Defines the exchange rates of the currency against the first currency added which is defined as 1. (e.g. If the first currency added is Hong Kong dollar, it’s value will be 1 and subsequently if US dollar is added next the value will be 0.1282)

Logout allows users to logout from the GUI after use.

After each session, it is advisable to logout to avoid any unauthorised access.