[Steel]

Hello Balinor,

I have spent a lot of time considering using the various X-Cart formats, and modifying the format to suit our needs.

After much consideration, and trying several layouts we made the decision to stay with our existing format.

The issues were (1) that we wanted to have one picture and description for a product on the main price page, but then include line item price and order button listings for, say ... various finishes. I realize that this is possible, but it would be a challenge for me code wise. (2) Our existing layout for items on the main price page would vary, where some items would have the picture to the right of the description, while others would have the picture centered and above. (3) The load times for the X-Cart PHP pages seemed to average anywhere from 3 to 15 seconds. The initial site page load seemed to take longer, and time of day seemed to be a factor. I have studied the message board posts on this issue and realize that there are settings and code that can be helpful, but the HTML pages would load in a second, and I suspect that the host that our test site is on is as much a factor as any. I figure I▓ll set-up with a new host and then deal with this issue. (4) The X-Cart item listing order arrangement also did not suit our liking (instead of listing a, b, c, d, or d, c, b, a, I might want them listed d, a, b, c). From your question, I suspect that I could generate the HTML pages and rearrange the items as needed. Perhaps I need to give this more consideration (have different coding for different item layouts, and then mix and match as desired?). (5) We had considered having the drop-down options on the detail page, but decided that this was more complicated than necessary for a customer; and our detail pages needed to have a lot of information, in various formats, that did not seem to fit one X-Cart format without a lot of work. (6) Search engine preference for HTML code pages.

There were other considerations, but I can▓t remember them all.

As prompted by your question, I think I▓ll have a look at the code on one of the X-Cart generated HTML pages for ideas. Perhaps I can mix and match the bits and pieces.

If you generate an HTML catalog, do you also convert the customer back-end pages to HTML, or can I have a mix of HTML and PHP pages?

Thanks for your input.