Cart-Lab CSS Template - Have you used it? Recommendations?

miami.mom · #1 10-12-2007, 06:39 AM

Has anyone used Cart-Labs CSS Template for 4.1.x with 4.1.8? Do you think 4.1.8 is stable enough to implement this CSS template with?

I am debating using this or going with a template from 7-dana. I am a beginner with CSS. I can do all the easy stuff, but fancier stuff is more challenging and can be a struggle for me still. I do want to learn, though, so it might be good.

Basically, I want a template that will help with SEO, look professional, take 8-10 hours to look nice and can be customized to look fantastic incrementally with more work.

I want it to work with the other add-ons that are available from third-parties.

I would love to hear from people that have used it... Maybe a sample site. Any advice is very much appreciated. After 2 years of figuring out Litecommerce, I'm completely lost again!!! And right before the holidays... smart, eh?

There are just too many great add-ons to pass up on moving over to x-cart... :P

balinor · #2 10-12-2007, 06:41 AM

Moving to Third Party Add-Ons. While CSS is indeed a great way to go from a code/optimization perspective, you need to be careful. If you use a template like this, it is going to be EXTREMELY difficult to upgrade/patch in the future, and many add-on modules may not work correctly without some extra work as well. I certainly recommend it, but you just need to be aware of the extra work that will result by using it.

miami.mom · #3 10-12-2007, 06:46 AM

Sorry, I didn't realize there were two diff sections for add-ons - this is what sleep deprivation does...

I think the easiest/fastest thing for now will be best, so I can focus on all the other things I need to implement. So I will probably get an out-of-the-box template from 7-dana for now, unless I can be convinced otherwise

PeterBu · #4 11-07-2007, 04:28 PM

Im definitely interested in this template - in fact, Ive ordered it from cart-lab, but it hasnt been delivered, and I cant seem to get anyone to respond to my inquiries. Its only been a couple of days since the order, but for a product that is digitally delivered, its a little long.

Does anyone know of a different place I can buy this template, or buy another template that is entirely css (down to positioning and everything)?

zardos · #5 11-07-2007, 06:59 PM

CSS Template

www.xcartmods.co.uk

PeterBu · #6 11-07-2007, 07:24 PM

The CSS in that template doesnt appear to be nearly as well put together as the cart-labs template did... but, if cart-labs wont respond, it may have to do.

jaimwolfe · #7 12-09-2007, 08:43 PM

I purchased the Cart-Lab CSS Skin and paid to have them install it on my site (wanted to be 100% sure it was done right). It seems (IMO) to have been advantagous in that the product info is delivered first, and we have done pretty well SEO wise.

The huge downfall is that the forums don't really work for helping you get anything configured, since this skin takes you way off track of a standard x-cart install. I would personally advise against it, simply because it makes EVERYTHING harder to do after you install it.

balinor · #8 12-10-2007, 04:50 AM

Yes, it is extremely beneficial from an SEO standpoint, but it does make getting help difficult, and upgrades later on will also be a nightmare. One of those things that you have to weigh the benefits vs the limitations. If only X-Cart would realize that the 2007 web world is CSS based and not Table based....

Lyndon Smith · #9 12-14-2007, 12:37 AM

We use the Cart-Lab CSS Template and are very pleased with it. I was not difficult to install and it did help with page size and seo. You can see it working here:-

http://www.adultebookshop.com/