Shopping Cart Software. Professional E-Commerce Solution for Your Business! Shopping-Q E-Commerce System.

IMPORTANT GUIDELINES
In order for skins to work properly, the following guidelines and rules must be followed.

The outline presented on this page provides you with a list of required skin page names and a list of data markers expected on each page.

There are "standard" markers that can appear on any page as well as certain expected (required) markers that are needed on specific skin pages in order for the store to work properly.

SKIN FOLDERS
Each skin set begins with a skin "prefix name and number" and resides in its own unique directory.

For example, skin #11 must be located in the store's Qskins/Q_skin11 folder. Each skin page within that folder would start with the skin 11 prefix name and number of Q_skin11. All skin pages are required for each skin and you cannot add, change, or delete skin page names.

Here are the EXACT skin page names expected by the store for skin #11:

Q_skin11_about.htm
Q_skin11_cart.htm
Q_skin11_category.htm
Q_skin11_checkout1.htm
Q_skin11_checkout2.htm
Q_skin11_checkout3.htm
Q_skin11_checkout4.htm
Q_skin11_checkout5.htm
Q_skin11_confirm.htm
Q_skin11_department.htm
Q_skin11_error.htm
Q_skin11_forgot_password.htm
Q_skin11_image_control.htm
Q_skin11_index.htm
Q_skin11_product.htm
Q_skin11_realtime.htm
Q_skin11_register.htm
Q_skin11_search.htm
Q_skin11_search_results.htm
Q_skin11_skinpreview.htm
Q_skin11_specials.htm
Q_skin11_styles.htm
Q_skin11_subcategory.htm
Q_skin11_thank_you.htm
Q_skin11_generic.htm

For skin #12, the store would look in Qskins/Q_skin12 folder for the following EXACT page names:

Q_skin12_about.htm
Q_skin12_cart.htm
Q_skin12_category.htm
Q_skin12_checkout1.htm
Q_skin12_checkout2.htm
Q_skin12_checkout3.htm
Q_skin12_checkout4.htm
Q_skin12_checkout5.htm
Q_skin12_confirm.htm
Q_skin12_department.htm
Q_skin12_error.htm
Q_skin12_forgot_password.htm
Q_skin12_image_control.htm
Q_skin12_index.htm
Q_skin12_product.htm
Q_skin12_realtime.htm
Q_skin12_register.htm
Q_skin12_search.htm
Q_skin12_search_results.htm
Q_skin12_skinpreview.htm
Q_skin12_specials.htm
Q_skin12_styles.htm
Q_skin12_subcategory.htm
Q_skin12_thank_you.htm
Q_skin12_generic.htm

Skin page names are case sensitive and must be spelled exactly like the above list. Each skin set used in Shopping-Q must have a different skin prefix name and number. You cannot change/delete skin page names nor add new skin pages. The store will only look for and use ONLY the skin page names above. It will require each skin to have its own properly named skin folder and require the use of the correct skin prefix name and number.

Qimages sub-folder
Inside each skin folder is a sub-folder called Qimages which contains all the images for that skin. This folder's location and name cannot be changed and all images for the skin must be stored within this sub folder. Each image in the skin's Qimages folder must also start with the proper skin prefix name and number.

CUSTOM SKIN FOLDERS
As discussed on the previous web page, if you are going to make changes to our skins or create new ones, please COPY one of our existing skin sets to a new folder called:

Qskins/Q_skin99

Be sure all the skin page names and images in the Qimages directory are properly renamed to use the Q_skin99 prefix name and number. This must be done for the skin to work properly.

When we release a new version of Shopping-Q, a fresh copy of the standard skins (Qskins/Q_skin01 through Qskins/Q_skin40) is also included. If you make changes to our standard skins, the new version will overwrite and replace any changes that you may have made!

Therefore, always use a new folder called Qskins/Q_skin99 for your skin customizations or when making new skins.

Since we number our skins starting with 01 and increasing upward, do not use Qskins/Q_skin41 or any number near what we have just in case we release new skins in the next Shopping-Q version. Start with Qskins/Q_skin99 and work downward from there.

When you add Qskins/Q_skin99 folder to the store and place the properly named skin pages and Qimages files inside of it, the store will see it automatically and let you select it on the Basic Store Administration page. If you create a second custom skin, put it inside a new folder called Qskins/Q_skin98 and rename its pages and images correctly with the Q_skin98 prefix.

REQUIRED SKIN PAGE NAMES
To recap, the page names for custom skin #99 would be as follows:

Q_skin99_about.htm
Q_skin99_cart.htm
Q_skin99_category.htm
Q_skin99_checkout1.htm
Q_skin99_checkout2.htm
Q_skin99_checkout3.htm
Q_skin99_checkout4.htm
Q_skin99_checkout5.htm
Q_skin99_confirm.htm
Q_skin99_department.htm
Q_skin99_error.htm
Q_skin99_forgot_password.htm
Q_skin99_image_control.htm
Q_skin99_index.htm
Q_skin99_product.htm
Q_skin99_realtime.htm
Q_skin99_register.htm
Q_skin99_search.htm
Q_skin99_search_results.htm
Q_skin99_skinpreview.htm
Q_skin99_specials.htm
Q_skin99_styles.htm
Q_skin99_subcategory.htm
Q_skin99_thank_you.htm
Q_skin99_generic.htm

SKIN PAGES and THEIR FUNCTION WITHIN THE STORE
Each skin page name in a skin set is REQUIRED and is used by the store for a specific purpose. Here is a summary describing the basic function of each skin page:

Q_skin##_about.htm	The ABOUT US page
Q_skin##_cart.htm	The VIEW CART page
Q_skin##_category.htm	During customer shopping, this page is used to display the contents of a Category (e.g. a list of sub-categories).
Q_skin##_checkout1.htm	First page in a customer's checkout. This page asks the customer for their checkout email address and password. It also lets them sign up for a new account if they don't already have one.
Q_skin##_checkout2.htm	During customer checkout, this page asks for the customer's Shipping Address information. This page also contains any custom checkout fields defined on the Advanced Store Administration page.
Q_skin##_checkout3.htm	During customer checkout, this page asks for the customer's Shipping Method and Payment Method.
Q_skin##_checkout4.htm	During customer checkout (only when a credit card has been selected as the payment method), this page asks the customer for the first part of their Credit Card information (name and CC billing address). The credit card number and expiration date is NOT entered on this page. NOTE: this page is used when the store needs to collect the cardholder's name in a single field. See the Q_skin##_realtime.htm page when the store needs to collect the name in two fields (first and last). The store will use the correct page based on the needs of the CC processing gateway currently being used by the store.
Q_skin##_checkout5.htm	During customer checkout, this page asks the customer for their CC number and expiration date. NOTE: this page is ONLY used when LOCAL SSL or LOCAL non-SSL checkout is being used for the store. Otherwise, the store uses the REMOTE_SSL page or the gateway's SSL page to collect CC number and expiration date.
Q_skin##_confirm.htm	This page is used when the store displays the Order Confirmation page to the customer near the end of their checkout.
Q_skin##_department.htm	During customer shopping, this page is used to display the contents of a Department (e.g. a list of categories).
Q_skin##_error.htm	When an error occurs during checkout (e.g. required field is blank) or when a message needs to be displayed to the customer for any reason, the store uses this page.
Q_skin##_forgot_password.htm	If the customer has forgotten their checkout password, the store will use this page to ask them for their checkout email address so it may send them their password. Please see Q_skin##_checkout1.htm for more information.
Q_skin##_image_control.htm	This is a special use page. It contains required image files stored in the skin's Qimages folder that are not used on any specific skin page. This page is for reference only and helps you account for all the skin's required image files while making a custom skin. DON'T forget to account for these images when making a new skin!
Q_skin##_index.htm	This is the store's Welcome Page.
Q_skin##_product.htm	During customer shopping, this page is used to display the product's information, pricing, options, etc... This is the product's "Add To Cart" page.
Q_skin##_realtime.htm	During customer checkout (when a credit card has been selected as the payment method), this page asks the customer for the first part of their Credit Card information (name and CC billing address). The credit card number and expiration date is NOT asked for on this page. NOTE: this page is used when the store needs to collect the cardholder's name in two fields (first and last). See the Q_skin##_checkout4.htm page when the store needs to collect the name in a single field. The store will use the correct page based on the needs of the CC processing gateway currently being used by the store.
Q_skin##_register.htm	The store uses this page when the customer wants to sign-up for a new checkout account. Please see Q_skin##_checkout1.htm for more information.
Q_skin##_search.htm	During customer shopping, this page is used when the customer wants to search for products in the store.
Q_skin##_search_results.htm	This page is used to display the results of a search performed on the Q_skin##_search.htm page.
Q_skin##_skinpreview.htm	This is a special use page. When you are selecting a new skin to use for your store (Basic Store Administration), you have the option to display a "Skin Preview". That preview will display a list of thumbnails and links for each skin contained within the store's Qskins folder. Each link will display a sample page showing the layout and look for that skin. This special use skin page is what the store uses when a sample page is to be displayed from the Preview list.
Q_skin##_specials.htm	During customer shopping, this page is used to display a list of products, if any, that are currently on sale.
Q_skin##_styles.htm	This is a special use page and is VERY IMPORTANT. Shopping-Q uses "style sheets" within all skin pages to control HTML page formatting and HTML table cells. When Shopping-Q displays a skin page, it replaces the skin page's style sheet (contained within its HTML) with the style sheet section from THIS special use page. The Q_skin##_styles.htm page contains the "master style sheet" for all pages within the skin. This setup allows you to make style sheet changes for the entire skin simply by changing the style sheet section on this one page!
Q_skin##_subcategory.htm	During customer shopping, this page is used to display the contents of a Sub-Category (e.g. a list of products).
Q_skin##_thank_you.htm	When the customer completes their checkout, a final Thank You page is displayed. The store uses this skin page for the Thank You Page.
Q_skin##_generic.htm	There are a number of other areas within the store that require a skin page to be shown. However, they do not have their own unique skin page assigned. Instead, they all use and share this "generic" skin page.

STANDARD SKIN MARKERS
There are a number of markers in a skin set that can be used on any skin page. Markers are CASE SENSITIVE and must be spelled correctly. In addition, markers must begin and end with braces like {{DEPT_LIST}}.

The standard markers are:

{{STORE_LOGO}}
{{STORE_NAME}}
{{COPYRIGHT_NOTICE}}
{{STORE_LINKS}}
{{ITEMS}}
{{CART_TOTAL}}
{{CART_CONTENTS}}
{{ISP_LINK}}
{{SEARCH}}
{{ABOUTUS}}
{{SPECIALS}}
{{HOME}}
{{CONTACTUS}}
{{CHECKOUT}}
{{VIEW_CART}}
{{VIEWCART}}
{{DEPT_LIST}}
{{BACK_TO_SHOPPING_BUTTON}}
{{EMAIL_LIST}}
{{LOCAL_DATE}}
{{LOCAL_TIME}}

REQUIRED SKIN MARKERS BY PAGE:
The following skin markers are expected by the store to be on the following skin pages:

Required Markers By Page
Q_skin##_about.htm	{{ABOUT_US_TEXT}} {{BACK_TO_SHOPPING_BUTTON}}
Q_skin##_cart.htm	{{VIEW_CART_PRODUCT_LIST}} {{VIEW_CART_INSTRUCTIONS}} {{CHECKOUT_BUTTON}} {{EMPTY_CART_BUTTON}} {{BACK_TO_SHOPPING_BUTTON}} {{EMAIL_SHOPPING_LIST}}
Q_skin##_category.htm	{{STORE_LEVEL}} {{CATEGORY_TEXT}} {{CATEGORY_IMAGE}} {{SUBCATEGORY_LIST}}
Q_skin##_checkout1.htm	{{EMAIL_ADDRESS}} {{PASSWORD}} {{FORGOT_PASSWORD_LINK}} {{HIDDEN_FIELDS}}
Q_skin##_checkout2.htm	{{CHECKOUT_FIELDS}} {{HIDDEN_FIELDS}}
Q_skin##_checkout3.htm	{{SHIPPING_METHOD_TABLE}} {{PAYMENT_METHOD_TABLE}} {{HIDDEN_FIELDS}}
Q_skin##_checkout4.htm	{{CC_NAME}} {{CC_ADDRESS_1}} {{CC_ADDRESS_2}} {{CC_CITY}} {{CC_STATE}} {{CC_PROVINCE}} {{CC_ZIP_OR_POSTAL_CODE}} {{CC_COUNTRY}} {{CC_COMMENTS}} {{HIDDEN_FIELDS}}
Q_skin##_checkout5.htm	{{SSL_MSG}} {{CC_TYPE}} {{CC_NUMBER}} {{CC_SECURITY_CODE}} {{CC_EXPIRATION_DATE}} {{BANK_NAME_TITLE}} {{BANK_NAME_FIELD}} {{BANK_PHONE_TITLE}} {{BANK_PHONE_FIELD}} {{BANK_INFO_MESSAGE}} {{CUSTOMER_MSG}} {{SUBMIT_BUTTON}} {{HIDDEN_FIELDS}}
Q_skin##_confirm.htm	{{SHIP_TO_RESULTS_TABLE}} {{PAYMENT_METHOD}} {{PAYMENT_METHOD_NOTES}} {{BILLING_INFORMATION_TABLE}} {{ITEMS_ORDERED_TABLE}} {{CUSTOMER_MSG}} {{SUBMIT_BUTTON}} {{HIDDEN_FIELDS}}
Q_skin##_department.htm	{{STORE_LEVEL}} {{DEPT_TEXT}} {{DEPT_IMAGE}} {{CATEGORY_LIST}}
Q_skin##_error.htm	{{MESSAGE_TITLE}} {{MESSAGE_DESCRIPTION}}
Q_skin##_forgot_password.htm	{{EMAIL_ADDRESS}} {{HIDDEN_FIELDS}}
Q_skin##_index.htm	{{WELCOME_CUSTOMER}} {{WELCOME_IMAGE}} {{WELCOME_TEXT}} {{FEATURED_PRODUCTS}}
Q_skin##_product.htm	{{STORE_LEVEL}} {{PRODUCT_NAME}} {{PRODUCT_ID_NUMBER}} {{PRODUCT_IMAGE}} {{LONG_DESCRIPTION}} {{NORMAL_PRICE}} {{SALE_PRICE}} {{ADDITIONAL_PRICE_TEXT}} {{INVENTORY_LEVEL}} {{PRODUCT_WEIGHT}} {{EXPORT_MSG}} {{VOLUME_DISCOUNTS}} {{ADD_TO_CART_BUTTON}} {{QUANTITY_LIST}} {{PRODUCT_OPTIONS}} {{LINKED_PRODUCTS}}
Q_skin##_realtime.htm	{{HIDDEN_GATEWAY_FIELDS}} {{NAME_TITLE_1}} {{NAME_FIELD_1}} {{NAME_TITLE_2}} {{NAME_FIELD_2}} {{BILLING_ADDRESS_1}} {{BILLING_ADDRESS_2}} {{BILLING_CITY}} {{BILLING_STATE}} {{BILLING_PROVINCE}} {{BILLING_ZIP_POSTAL_CODE}} {{BILLING_COUNTRY}} {{BILLING_COMMENTS}} {{HIDDEN_FIELDS}}
Q_skin##_register.htm	{{FIRST_NAME}} {{LAST_NAME}} {{EMAIL_ADDR}} {{PASSWORD1}} {{PASSWORD2}} {{HIDDEN_FIELDS}}
Q_skin##_search.htm	{{HIDDEN_FIELDS}} {{SEARCH_BUTTON}} {{SEARCH_DEPT_LIST}} {{PRICE_FIELD}} NOTE: two form fields are also required on this page: frm_keywords frm_max_number
Q_skin##_search_results.htm	{{SEARCH_RESULTS}} {{NEW_SEARCH_BUTTON}}
Q_skin##_specials.htm	{{SPECIALS_TABLE}} {{BACK_TO_SHOPPING_BUTTON}}
Q_skin##_subcategory.htm	{{NEXT_PAGE_BUTTON}} {{STORE_LEVEL}} {{SUBCATEGORY_TEXT}} {{SUBCATEGORY_IMAGE}} {{PRODUCT_LIST}}
Q_skin##_thank_you.htm	{{THANK_YOU_PAGE_TEXT}} {{CONTINUE_BUTTON}} OPTIONAL MARKERS for this page: {{ORDER_NUM}} {{SHIP_TO_NAME}} {{SHIPPING_METHOD}} {{PAYMENT_METHOD}} {{ORDER_TOTAL}} {{CART_TOTAL}} {{ORDER_SUB_TOTAL}}
Q_skin##_generic.htm	{{TITLE}} {{PAGE_TEXT}} {{BUTTON}}

DREAMWEAVER RECOMMENDED
NOTE: While you are free to customize our skins as you see fit, our support staff does not offer any assistance for this activity. Therefore, you are on your own when it comes to making changes to our skins. Customizing our skins is not difficult if you have experience with HTML web page design and using professional web page editor (like Dreamweaver). We DON'T recommend using FrontPage for any type of skin design.

CUSTOM SKIN SUPPORT
While you are free to customize our skins as you see fit, our support staff does not offer any assistance for this activity. Therefore, you are on your own when it comes to making changes to our skins.