Questions about different mods

[DEXTERITY]

Hi,

I'm a newbie to this so I would greatly appreciate any help.

I'm using version4.23, engine 4.1400 via earthlinks ecommerce package.

I have a few questions.

First, I assume can add different mods even though I am using the software via a control panel within Earthlink? I dont know if I need tokens or what to look for and if it is as simple as installing and just customizing?

2) Under my shipping preferences I have the option to use UPS, Fed Ex, USPS. However, the only option that shows when I do a test run is Fed Ex. I assume I need to purchase a shipping mod in order to allow customers to choose how they want to ship their package? Which module do u guys suggest? I was looking into getting shipping supermod or checkout supermod, not sure of the difference.

3) Can anyone suggest a module that will provide me with more templates I can change the look of my store from the 4 generic looks which are offered? I dont know if I need to know html or there are just some more templates I can try which offer a better look.

4) I assuem the only way I can email customers from within Miva is if I purchase something along the lines of Scots Mailing list Mod?

5) Lastly (for now, lol) I am going to be selling dvd's, cd's. Is there a way to have a link within the product description or close by so people can download audio samples prior to purchasing? If not, can I make a link on the product page that points to a page within my site they can download audio samples from?


Thank you in advance and sorry for the mass amount of questions..

[jason - jmh web services]

Hi,

I'm a newbie to this so I would greatly appreciate any help.

I'm using version4.23, engine 4.1400 via earthlinks ecommerce package.

I have a few questions.

First, I assume can add different mods even though I am using the software via a control panel within Earthlink? I dont know if I need tokens or what to look for and if it is as simple as installing and just customizing?

2) Under my shipping preferences I have the option to use UPS, Fed Ex, USPS. However, the only option that shows when I do a test run is Fed Ex. I assume I need to purchase a shipping mod in order to allow customers to choose how they want to ship their package? Which module do u guys suggest? I was looking into getting shipping supermod or checkout supermod, not sure of the difference.

3) Can anyone suggest a module that will provide me with more templates I can change the look of my store from the 4 generic looks which are offered? I dont know if I need to know html or there are just some more templates I can try which offer a better look.

4) I assuem the only way I can email customers from within Miva is if I purchase something along the lines of Scots Mailing list Mod?

5) Lastly (for now, lol) I am going to be selling dvd's, cd's. Is there a way to have a link within the product description or close by so people can download audio samples prior to purchasing? If not, can I make a link on the product page that points to a page within my site they can download audio samples from?


Thank you in advance and sorry for the mass amount of questions..

1. Do you have the OpenUI (http://www.mivacentral.com/jmh/index.mv?product=OPENUI-BASIC)?
Earthlink is known as a horrible host for miva merchant. You might consider moving to wolfpaw (http://www.wpcomp.com) or hostasaurus (http://www.hostasaurus.com) who will move you for free and provide OpenUI.
2. You need to assign the different methods.
3. Viking Coder's Templates (http://www.vikingcoders.com/store/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=BUNDLE-ED&Affiliate=jasonh) are the best.
4. You can include samples in your product descriptions.

hth

[DEXTERITY]

thanks for the quick response. I wasn't sure if it was against the rules to bash other hosts, but Earthlink is horrible in a lot of other aspects as well, lol. I was going to ask which hosts do people suggest. I need a host that wont have downtime and can support unix as well. I also need a decent amount of storage as my site isn't strictly a ecommerce site. I will check the two which you suggested, thanks.

How do I know if I have open UI? I didn't want to start purchasing things if they weren't going to work and didn't know how to tell if they would work prior to purchasing,lol. funny I can figure out how to set up everything without reading anything, but can't figure this stuff out.

How do I add audio samples in my discriptions, such as a way to download mp3 clips?

edit: Why is Earthlink known as a horrible Miva merchant? I think I can guess based on other things, but just curiuos.

one more thing I was curious about. If I want to purchase the software myself, can I just pick any webhost and use it without them supporting Miva or paying extra for an ecommerce site?

Thank you!

[jason - jmh web services]

thanks for the quick response. I wasn't sure if it was against the rules to bash other hosts, but Earthlink is horrible in a lot of other aspects as well, lol. I was going to ask which hosts do people suggest. I need a host that wont have downtime and can support unix as well. I also need a decent amount of storage as my site isn't strictly a ecommerce site. I will check the two which you suggested, thanks.

NP. Telling the truth about certain hosts is "frowned" upon but not against any official rules. So feel free to let others know your experiences. You wouldn't be the first or last to have some horror stories about earthlink.

How do I know if I have open UI? I didn't want to start purchasing things if they weren't going to work and didn't know how to tell if they would work prior to purchasing,lol. funny I can figure out how to set up everything without reading anything, but can't figure this stuff out.

Go to Store > Click on Your Store Name > Click on Layout in right-hand frame. You probably don't have it.

How do I add audio samples in my discriptions, such as a way to download mp3 clips?

Either hire someone to do it or search for sound forge in google and info on adding audio to your website. Many people use flash.

edit: Why is Earthlink known as a horrible Miva merchant? I think I can guess based on other things, but just curiuos.

Reports from umpteen past customers who have left them. Might try searching this forum and/or archives for earthlink.

one more thing I was curious about. If I want to purchase the software myself, can I just pick any webhost and use it without them supporting Miva or paying extra for an ecommerce site?

Thank you!

np. Don't understand the last part. Openui is for miva merchant. If you use miva merchant, it is technically an ecommerce site. Basically, you can take your license wherever you want.

[nevadamet]

Any modules you purchase will move with you. Sometimes it is tricky, so get a host who will help you move and assist with moving the modules (you have have to contact the vendor of the module to update).
What do you need the mailing module to do? You might look into Weilands communication manager (http://www.emporiumplus.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=wcw&Product_Code=1AA00105&Category_Code=WC_&Search=mail&Offset=&filter_cat=&exclude_word=&the_fieldlist=g.SRCH_CODE%7Cg.SRCH_NAME%7Cg.SRCH_D ESC%7Cg.SRCH_CIRCA%7Cg.SRCH_COMPANY%7Cg.SRCH_ITEMS IZE%7Cg.SRCH_ACTORS%7Cg.SRCH_DIRECTOR%7Cg.SRCH_GEN RE&range_low=&range_high=&dopowersearch=1&SRCH_CATEGORY_HF=&PowerSearch_Begin_Only)which offers lots of email functions.

[DEXTERITY]

Thanks for your responses..

When I click on the layout I have Kool Catv1 and Miva Merchant look and feel. Is that where I'm supposed to be looking for open UI? Let me guess, that is something I have to purchase as a mod?


I have the audio already on my site, but I wasn't sure how or if it was possible to incorporate it into my shopping cart. I want customers to have the ability to download an mp3 and listen to a CD prior to buying it. But I don't want them to have to click on a link which is seperate from the store. I hope that makes sense. I saw someone who had a website where before adding the product to the basket you could listen to the audio sample. Too bad I don't remember the site..

In regards to Earthlink, yeah I have been looking to leave them for a while, but I couldn't find any other hosts who had Miva and offered at least 4gb of storage space. I almost went with a third party shopping cart (x-cart), However, I figured Miva was easier to configure. I definitely have to search the site to see others experiences..

What I was trying to ask in regards to purchasing Miva 5 is the following (sorry was rushing to get to the airport):

If I purchase Miva 5 for $995 so I have my own license (trying to avoid paying the extra money hosts charge to be on an ecommerce plan), how do I set it up on my site so I no longer have to pay Earthlink (or whomever) for their ecommerce package. For example, now I'm paying extra to have an ecommerce site and use Miva which earthlink technically owns the license to. Whether the host offers Miva or some other shopping cart, they all charge extra money per month to be on an "ecommerce plan." Is there a way I can just sign up with whatever host on a regular hosting plan and use my Miva license since I would now own it. Or does a host have to offer support for Miva and then also offer the ability to bring your own Miva license opposed to pay extra to use theres? Thats still confusing, huh, lol..


thanks again..

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

Thanks for your responses..

When I click on the layout I have Kool Catv1 and Miva Merchant look and feel. Is that where I'm supposed to be looking for open UI? Let me guess, that is something I have to purchase as a mod?


Normally yes, we provide OpenUI Basic free of charge with all 4.x Merchant hosting accounts, and discounts off upgrading to OpenUI Advanced or OpenUI All.


I have the audio already on my site, but I wasn't sure how or if it was possible to incorporate it into my shopping cart. I want customers to have the ability to download an mp3 and listen to a CD prior to buying it. But I don't want them to have to click on a link which is seperate from the store. I hope that makes sense. I saw someone who had a website where before adding the product to the basket you could listen to the audio sample. Too bad I don't remember the site..


Easy to do with Viking Coders Product Page Templates (http://tinyurl.com/hogzq), you can easily embed media player or a link to the mp3 directly on the product pages. You can also use Jason's suggestion of adding flash. Without the templates, you could still do it, but would need to code it into every product's description.


In regards to Earthlink, yeah I have been looking to leave them for a while, but I couldn't find any other hosts who had Miva and offered at least 4gb of storage space. I almost went with a third party shopping cart (x-cart), However, I figured Miva was easier to configure. I definitely have to search the site to see others experiences..


We offer larger storage space, contact us if you'd like and we can work something out.


What I was trying to ask in regards to purchasing Miva 5 is the following (sorry was rushing to get to the airport):

If I purchase Miva 5 for $995 so I have my own license (trying to avoid paying the extra money hosts charge to be on an ecommerce plan), how do I set it up on my site so I no longer have to pay Earthlink (or whomever) for their ecommerce package. For example, now I'm paying extra to have an ecommerce site and use Miva which earthlink technically owns the license to. Whether the host offers Miva or some other shopping cart, they all charge extra money per month to be on an "ecommerce plan." Is there a way I can just sign up with whatever host on a regular hosting plan and use my Miva license since I would now own it. Or does a host have to offer support for Miva and then also offer the ability to bring your own Miva license opposed to pay extra to use theres? Thats still confusing, huh, lol..


We do not charge you extra for the license, it comes with the hosting plan. No added fees, or monthly leasing fees.

You certainly have the option to purchase a full retail license of Merchant, but why when many hosts offer it free?

[jason - jmh web services]

Hi,

4) I assuem the only way I can email customers from within Miva is if I purchase something along the lines of Scots Mailing list Mod?

No, but scot's mailing list (http://www.jmhonline.net/miva-modules/mailing+list) is the best that integrates by default.

[DEXTERITY]

wow, thank you so much for all of your help. It has shed light on a few things for me. I appreciate everyones help and time.

[MartyRo]

Just chiming in about Earthlink - what a nightmare - I was so happy to leave them I use Hostasaurus which offers excellent support from live knowledgeable people! Their hosting includes use of Miva.

[DEXTERITY]

seems to be the general consensus, let me guess, ran slow and no support?