E-Commerce: Zen Cart

Zen Cart™ truly is the art of e-commerce; a free, user-friendly, open source shopping cart system. The software is being developed by group of like-minded shop owners, programmers, designers, and consultants that think e-commerce could be and should be done differently. Some "solutions" seem to be complicated programming exercises instead of responding to users' needs, Zen Cart™ puts the merchant's and shopper's requirements first. Similarly, other programs are nearly impossible to install and use without an IT degree, Zen Cart™ can be installed and set-up by anyone with the most basic computer skills. Others are so expensive ... not Zen Cart™, it's FREE!

Zen Cart™ will deliver the ultimate online shopping experience to your customers. Navigating through your merchandise offerings is a breeze with Zen Cart™, the program provides several "Spotlight" lists in addition to the traditional category to product links. Once a product is added to the shopping cart, secure checkout is a simple 3-step process. After providing the billing information, your customer chooses the shipping method. (multiple shipping methods including real-time internet shipping quotes are built-in) Next, a payment type is chosen from one of the popular payment modules. (PayPal™ and AuthorizeNet™ are just 2 of the included modules) Last, the customer reviews the order, shipping and payment choices, and confirms the order. You are immediately notified of the order and your customer automatically receives an e-mail confirmation.

Zen Cart™ addresses many of the goals we set:

  • make the program easy to set up
  • make it easy to customize
  • automate tasks, such as order confirmation
  • make navigation simple
  • built in promotions; discount coupons, gift certificates, newsletters and product notification
  • offer single item specials and storewide discounts (group discounts and quantity discounts - Coming in future editions)
  • built in Search Engine Optimization tools
  • password protect the Administration Tool (administration "levels" - Coming in future editions)
  • support multiple languages, currencies and tax structures

In short, Zen Cart™ is shopping cart software the way it should have been all along.

 

Developers are able to deploy cutting edge solutions based on Zen Cart™'s modern standards and technologies. Combining PHP server-side technology with the ability to choose from multiple databases on the back end (coming in future editions, thanks to ADOdb), results in flexible software that you can customize and modify to suit your needs. Minimum/suggested server requirements: PHP 4.1.x or higher (PHP 4.3.3+ for optimal performance), Apache 1.3.x and MySQL 3.2x.x or higher.