Newbie, but worth the trouble, maybe. miva5

[Unknowing]

Hello All,

Long story short, I need serious help and also help with Miva M5. I would like to find someone who is willing to hold my hand (MM5), either in person or via internet.

I would be willing to pay for good support. I have too many things on my plate to attend the school of hard knocks.

In the last month I have taught myself to build a website and it's up and running, but now I need a store. this is the site grumpysmetal.com (http://grumpysmetal.com) it's not bad for a first go. (just trying to point out if you decide to accept this mission, I'm not complete idiot)

Need help with Miva, I'm really lost.:confused:

Thanks

email me or post

john@grumpysmetal.com

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

There are 2 schools of thought here you should consider.

The first, if you do not have time to learn it properly - dont try and do a so-so job. Hire a professional designer to develop and maintain your site.

The second, find the time and hire a consultant who will train you.

Too many store owners make this mistake and wind up doing a half baked job, and do not actually learn what they need to properly design or maintain the site.

So my advice, if you do not have the time - concentrate on what you do best - selling your product/services - and hire someone else to deal with the actual design.

[DesignExtend-MSI]

Hello All,

Long story short, I need serious help and also help with Miva M5. I would like to find someone who is willing to hold my hand (MM5), either in person or via internet.

I would be willing to pay for good support. I have too many things on my plate to attend the school of hard knocks.

In the last month I have taught myself to build a website and it's up and running, but now I need a store. this is the site grumpysmetal.com (http://grumpysmetal.com) it's not bad for a first go. (just trying to point out if you decide to accept this mission, I'm not complete idiot)

Need help with Miva, I'm really lost.:confused:

Thanks

email me or post

john@grumpysmetal.com

Welcome!

Have you checked out the Book on MIVA Merchant 5 (http://www.designextend.com/page/miva/PROD/MMBook5)? It does hand-hold through the entire backend of MIVA Merchant and also discusses the templates and the basics of HTML and graphics.

While there are likely some things you may want to pay someone else to do, anyone running an online store should know the basics of moving around the admin so they can make changes here and there on the fly.

[Unknowing]

Well, I would like to learn for sure. I just have so many question and I don't really know where to get the answers.

I've already started a store, and I've been trying to get it to look like my site. I'm having mixed results and I was really hoping to find someone who could teach me or provide support for me to learn.

I feel if I have someone else do this job for me, I will always have to rely on someone else to do what I should be doing for myself.

John

Since I'm posting, I will ask my first question here. I would like to make the menu that can currently be viewed at grumpysmetal.com/store NOT available for everyone to see, how do I do this? (it appeared after I got Miva)

[Red Flare]

What EXACTLY are your requirements for the store?
How many products are you going to have?
Are they custom?
Ask specific questions, perhaps MIVA is not for you at all.

[Unknowing]

The specific design of the store, I haven't really figured out, but I thought I would use my site colors and fonts for the store ( unless I came across a better idea). approx 20 products to begin with but will eventually have 100-150 products. I don't think the products require special format.

I do want to be able to create an email that thanks the customer for the order and also generate a purchase order.

At some point I would like to sell single view video content, but not right now.


John

Could someone post links to miva sites (stores) that are well done? I am so new to this it would be nice to see what types of things and function a good store offers.

[Unknowing]

Hello Pamela,

I saw that you posted a response and I decided to look at your site. I went to a featured site: lightwear.com. On one of the first links they have, has a fatal error http://www.lightwear.com/page/L/CTGY/0870

I'm real new to all this, I don't know what your relationship is with them or if you care, but I tried to email you, but that wasn't real easy ( I guess I need to have a password or something?) so I just figured I would post here.

John

[DesignExtend-MSI]

Hello Pamela,

I saw that you posted a response and I decided to look at your site. I went to a featured site: lightwear.com. On one of the first links they have, has a fatal error http://www.lightwear.com/page/L/CTGY/0870

I'm real new to all this, I don't know what your relationship is with them or if you care, but I tried to email you, but that wasn't real easy ( I guess I need to have a password or something?) so I just figured I would post here.

John

Thanks. Clients tend to make their own changes, but I'm sure they'll appreciate you pointing this out.

Unfortunately, we don't provide a direct email address on the site - we get hundreds of messages a day so we use our ticket system for tracking. One can always email me through here though. We're working on an input form for quick contacts.

[Unknowing]

Ok Guys, I think I have a plan. First I will find a template that I will use for the store (changing the fonts and colors). After I have loaded the product and content, I will use this forum for support for the functions of Miva I find difficult. And last I will use and outside group to tweak the store, for functionality and security.

So First, how do I choose a template and where should I look for one?

Thanks for the help.

John

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

You create your own or modify the exiting templates within the MIVA Admin.

You need to come up with your own visual ideas of what you want it to look like first.

Draw it if needed, then figure out how to incorporate that look into HTML and StoreMorph and create the code to make it look that way.

Once you have the design/look & feel done, then you can start with adding features and functionality.

[Red Flare]

The specific design of the store, I haven't really figured out, but I thought I would use my site colors and fonts for the store ( unless I came across a better idea). approx 20 products to begin with but will eventually have 100-150 products. I don't think the products require special format.

I do want to be able to create an email that thanks the customer for the order and also generate a purchase order.

At some point I would like to sell single view video content, but not right now.


John

Could someone post links to miva sites (stores) that are well done? I am so new to this it would be nice to see what types of things and function a good store offers.

So looks like you will need a few modules:
1. Mail manager (http://www.emporiumplus.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=wcw&Product_Code=1AA00089&Category_Code=1AAM5)
2. Most likely Category manager (http://www.sebenza.com/products/SS-CTGYTEMPLATES5.html)
3. and Purchase order (http://www.emporiumplus.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=wcw&Product_Code=1AA00057&Category_Code=1AAM5) module

MIVA has a steep learning curve, so don't expect to build your store overnight. Good luck! :)

[Unknowing]

Well, I like this store template, lightwear.com (http://lightwear.com) . I presume that it belongs to Designextend? With this type of template, do I just load photos and product and go or is there more too it than that?

[Dan - Kemper Strategic]

Well, I like this store template, lightwear.com . I presume that it belongs to Designextend? With this type of template, do I just load photos and product and go or is there more too it than that?
There is more to it than that. At this time, there are no pre-designed templates or skins for MIVA Merchant 5 that you can purchase and install. You basically build the stores look and feel from the ground up. If you do not have a good base knowledge of HTML, CSS, server side scripting or MIVA's Store Morph Technology, then this can be a very overwhelming process.

Some options at this point:
1. Purchase Pamela's Official Guide to MIVA Merchant 5 (http://www.designextend.com/page/miva/PROD/MMBook5) and continue to consult this forum. (you do have a steep learning curve ahead of you)
2. Hire a MIVA professional to setup and install your stores look and feel.
3. MIVA Merchant Fast Track (http://smallbusiness.miva.com/products/merchant/ft/) (which does have pre-formatted templates, but has some limitations)
4. MIVA Merchant Express (http://smallbusiness.miva.com/products/merchant/express/) (which is very similar to PayPal's shopping cart system)

[MaritimeLobsterExpress]

Hi John

It is important to incorporate the look and feel of your website into your store so that it is transparent to the customer. Have a look at my site for an example. I hired someone to do this for me and I am very happy with what they did. Just like you I didn`t initially have the time to figure it all out but wanted something that I had total control over in the future. I hired someone to do the initial set up but now I do all the revisions myself and since then I have taken the time to review the set up and i understand most of it now. What I don`t understand I ask for help on this board. Don`t make the mistake of trying to throw it together yourself. Take you time and learn the program so that you can use it to it`s full potential. There are also many great modules available for all the things that MIVA alone cannot accomplish. It is a lot of fun once you get it all figured out but I think you will just frusturate yourself if you try to do it with no background and it will be a very negative experience for you.

[Unknowing]

ok, maybe I'm slow or a little impatient or both but, I went to Designextend.com and bought "e-commerce made easier" and the pdf . I am not sure where or how I obtain the pdf. I was sent an email with a link and a registration key ( which I followed thinking this is where I get my product) After following the link to this new site I assumed I need to login, and clicked that link and received a "fatal error" http://www.mvcommerce.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=DWPACNT&Store_code=MVCShop

What am I doing wrong here? I'm just trying to buy a book. I guess there is something I'm not doing correctly?

At this point I went back to designextend.com to see if I could find a solution on my own. I was propted to buy the same book again, among other numerous upsales I gave up.

I resent the fact I needed to register to Designextend.com to buy the book in the first place, but why is it so complicated to navigate this site? I have to jump through hoops to get a product I paid for, and jump through other hoops to contact them.

Why would a business find it so important to distance itself from potential customers and paying customers?

John



Maybe the book is fantastic, I really hope it is. But as a customer of designextend.com I feel that your site should be more user friendly.

[Unknowing]

For the record, shortly after the first email I recieved confirming my order, I recieved another email with the download link. It down loaded fine.

[DesignExtend-MSI]

ok, maybe I'm slow or a little impatient or both but, I went to Designextend.com and bought "e-commerce made easier" and the pdf . I am not sure where or how I obtain the pdf.

I see in your next message that you got the "download" email. Yes, those are sent separately for fraud-protection reasons.

I was sent an email with a link and a registration key ( which I followed thinking this is where I get my product) After following the link to this new site I assumed I need to login, and clicked that link and received a "fatal error" http://www.mvcommerce.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=DWPACNT&Store_code=MVCShop

Thanks for the heads-up. I'm looking into the problem.

At this point I went back to designextend.com to see if I could find a solution on my own. I was propted to buy the same book again, among other numerous upsales I gave up.

I'm curious as to where you went where you were prompted to buy it again - unless you're referring to the home page, which is where the image of the book is.

We offer just one upsell item per order. And while it might seem useless, nearly 35% of orderers go with the upsell because the upsells are geared specifically toward the product line purchased. Our upsells are for either OUI utilities or training/guidance.

I resent the fact I needed to register to Designextend.com to buy the book in the first place, but why is it so complicated to navigate this site? I have to jump through hoops to get a product I paid for, and jump through other hoops to contact them.

You have to register for a few reasons:


Many users come back needing to locate lost licenses or reprint invoices to submit for company/client reimbursements, etc. By being able to simply login and review/print/obtain keys on all orders it makes it MUCH easier on the user. It also keeps us from having to spend enormous amounts of time rerunning invoices and emailing them, and looking up license keys.

Licensing of modules is to the user and should anything interrupt our business, someone else could come in and help the company's business flow freely because information is logged under the customer, and not under a slew of arbitrary order numbers.

We do a great deal of module installations, and many users like to check the status of them, across several orders.


As for the site being difficult to navigate, I'm sorry, while we always listen to issues and then make changes, we've been told our site is one of the simplest to follow because of instruction provided during the process. However, we do realize many changes that are necessary and we have been making several updates over the past few weeks, with many more to follow.

As for contacting us, every page on our site has a "Contact Us" link in the top left and lower right - it explains the process of using our ticket system for support/inquiries, and there's also a phone number listed, and there's a guy who sits by that phone all day long fielding calls. Of course if all three lines are running it will roll to voicemail and then we return the call. And, as another option, anyone who replies to the order email will get a response - sometimes it does take a day or so because of the number of emails we have to scan on a daily basis.

And, on most days, unless we're training, there's a LIVE CHAT link in the right column of our site. Many users have caught us on live chat at 10 p.m. on a Sunday (though it's outside our normal hours, we commonly turn it on when we're working).

Why would a business find it so important to distance itself from potential customers and paying customers?

Wow, I've never actually heard of us being thought of this way. We're one of the few companies who publishes a phone number and spends countless time talking to users. I've been known to spend 30 minutes on the phone with someone trying to determine which $20 module to purchase (that's a loss in profit, but we do it).

Maybe the book is fantastic, I really hope it is. But as a customer of designextend.com I feel that your site should be more user friendly.

And I appreciate that - I'd love to hear your thoughts/complaints. I'd be happy to phone you if you'd like to private message me your phone number.

[Unknowing]

Thank you for the civil response to my complaints.

I read your book. I now have a better understanding of how the backend of Miva 5 works.

Yes, I was prompted to buy the book on your Homepage. (I was looking for a download link or some insight as to where I would obtain the e-book)

The support link on your site http://www.designextend.com/de.mv?ARTID=support (http://www.designextend.com/de.mv?ARTID=support) states “Telephone support is only available to retainer clients and on a pay-per-incident basis.” I didn’t understand, I could just call and someone would help me.

The standard support link http://www.designextend.com/cgi/wonderdesk/wonderdesk.cgi (http://www.designextend.com/cgi/wonderdesk/wonderdesk.cgi) directs a person to log in. At that time I felt that requiring me to subscribe to your site and log in to submit an email was more trouble than it was worth to me.

I never saw your live chat link on the right until after I read your response here in the forum. Designextend.com is full of links, I think my eyes over looked it.

In the book "E-commerce made easier" I did read the preface and about the author (actually twice, it’s in the PDF two times). Now I’m not so sure, I am qualified to be critical of your site. That being said I feel as a customer, if I could purchase product from your site without having to establish a log in, I would be more inclined to buy from your company.

Regarding tracking your customers and their product (for mean of future support etc), why not have your site use their email as the default user id and send them a site password along with the initial order confirmation (at any point they could modify this information if they so choose). This would allow you to maintain customer records but wouldn’t require any addition action by a first time customer.


Last I would like to say, If I had only been more patient I would have seen the second email with the download (and my problems would have been solved) my mistake.

Or if I had just called the phone number listed on your site someone at Designextend would have helped me (and my problem would have been solved).

Just goes to show that even the best websites are not completely idiot proof!

John

ps. Pamela, thank you for being active in this forum and helping users with Miva. (In this case me)

[DesignExtend-MSI]

The support link on your site http://www.designextend.com/de.mv?ARTID=support (http://www.designextend.com/de.mv?ARTID=support) states ?Telephone support is only available to retainer clients and on a pay-per-incident basis.? I didn?t understand, I could just call and someone would help me.

For an order problem, yes, anyone may call. We're also known to answer some standard questions. The statement is a deterrent though, because otherwise some people would call expecting us to spend an hour walking them through an installation of a module.

[
The standard support link http://www.designextend.com/cgi/wonderdesk/wonderdesk.cgi (http://www.designextend.com/cgi/wonderdesk/wonderdesk.cgi) directs a person to log in. At that time I felt that requiring me to subscribe to your site and log in to submit an email was more trouble than it was worth to me.

That login doesn't "subscribe" your email to anything. We require the login because often people post logins and passwords - information you wouldn't want anyone else to somehow gain access to. Thus, that system is secure, and a login is required.

Now I?m not so sure, I am qualified to be critical of your site. That being said I feel as a customer, if I could purchase product from your site without having to establish a log in, I would be more inclined to buy from your company.

Of course you're qualified to be critical. We welcome any criticism from customers and those just browsing around.

[Regarding tracking your customers and their product (for mean of future support etc), why not have your site use their email as the default user id and send them a site password along with the initial order confirmation (at any point they could modify this information if they so choose). This would allow you to maintain customer records but wouldn?t require any addition action by a first time customer.

There's a few issues, though. First, we're a B2B site - so that puts us in a different category. Very few B2C sites can get away with requiring logins.

With that, logging orders under email addresses would only work for some customers, because many customers change email addresses - I'd say a good 30% have changed at least once over the past few years. Some companies (users) are purchased by others, and thus licensing may or may not be affected.

We used to have the login optional, and the amount of time spent post order on simple things like order/license key lookups, etc. wasn't worth it to us or the customer. There's a benefit to being able to look up a prior order at 3 a.m. - and many users are working during late hours.

Then there's other things, like price and availability groups and purchase order options - we do have plans that provide either discounts or exclusive content, and without a login, those restrictions can't be made.

Anyway, just pointing a few things out. I've never had a potential customer say they didn't buy because they had to create a login. Being B2B gives us more reason to do so.

Just goes to show that even the best websites are not completely idiot proof!

Do as I say, not as I do. :) I train in usability, but quite often, a developer's site is the last to be updated. We have been making many changes though, so if you're still getting used to online shops, you'll probably find it easier to navigate as the weeks go by.

[Unknowing]

Well, I would like to thank everyone for helping me come full circle.

I now have a better grasp on the two schools of thought; either learn MM yourself or have someone who understands the software do the job for you.

I have chosen to learn MM.

But I would still like the support of person/persons that knows/understands MM and ecommerce sites in general. I have very little exposure to ecommerce and I want quality opinions and direction for my store.

My question is this; should I seek out professional counsel now, or post my question in this forum?

Thank you,

John

[DesignExtend-MSI]

My question is this; should I seek out professional counsel now, or post my question in this forum?

While you may not need to call on "pay-for" assistance right now, I think it's always a good idea to at least develop a relationship with someone. That way when issues arise you're more apt to get a more direct, personal response and quicker action.

[Dan - Kemper Strategic]

John,

I provide all of my clients with 24/7 MIVA Merchant consulting and support via phone or internet. There is no up front cost, and you only pay if and when you use our services.

Let me know if I can be of any assistance. :)

Thanks,

Dan