More Dynamic/Robust MEGA MENU for OpenCart ??

I am strongly considering using OpenCart for a somewhat ambitious ecommerce project ... but the ONE THING that is holding me back from moving forward is the absence of a decent/professional and dynamic MEGA MENU for OpenCart.

I have searched and searched through the OpenCart Extension Directory and internet, and the so-called (and scant) "mega menu" offerings are disappointingly limited and lacking in terms of the kind of content that can/should be able to be integrated - such as various modules, custom modules/html, video, etc. ... like one can do in, say, Magento or Joomla or other open-source ecommerce platforms.


Any thoughts or resources for a much more dynamic and robust mega menu navigation for OpenCart?

As an example of what I am referring to . . . . .
See the following examples of both a Magento theme and an OpenCart theme - developed/offered by the same theme developers (albeit different company/domain names relative to their Magento and OpenCart themes). The particular theme is based on the same concept, but notice the difference in the "mega menu" navigation between the Magento based theme and the OpenCart based theme . . . .

- MAGENTO Based "EM Supermarket" Theme --> CLICK HERE

- OPEN CART Based "Supermarket" Theme --> CLICK HERE

I actually much more like the way they styled the mega menu items within THIS THEME (Magento), but I think you will see what I am referring to in terms of the ability to integrate much more dynamic content into the mega menu structure for Magento based theme(s) than (as I've been able to currently research/find) the OpenCart based theme(s). The "more dynamic" mega menu structure is widely utilized with Joomla as well.



I am quite sure that some of you may want to say to me "why does it matter so much?" My answer is that I find the options available through a more robust/dynamic mega menu system to be very important in today's ecommerce marketplace - in terms of the capacity/options for dynamic content.


So, my question at this point is . . . .
WHY does it seem that the ability to develop and/or utilize a much more dynamic mega-menu structure for OpenCart based themes is so limited?

Is it a particular coding barrier or restriction?



I look forward to any comments/thoughts, insight, direction and/or resources related to my issue/question above.

I've been searching for several days now, and I have yet to see much of anything over-and-above the default OC "mega menu" configuration - save for one or two with somewhat lackluster structure, styling and/or capacity for including dynamic content - i.e. various modules (such as search, login, mini-product display (with add-to-cart button)), video, custom html, etc.


There is ONE extension developer who created a fairly decent VERTICAL/FLY-OUT mega menu for OpenCart --> http://shopencart.com/opencart-mega-menu <-- That one is at least along the right direction (styling wise) ... though it seems limited for a vertical navigation/menu, as opposed to the horizontal main-navigation.


For further thought and, hopefully, consideration/inspiration for creating a more robust/dynamic mega menu system for OpenCart (be it a module extension, plugin or vQmod) - and in addition to the previous LINKED example within the discussion thread I started - here are a few resources for (in my opinion, anyway) the kind of custom content options/capabilities and styling that make for a really cool, dynamic and contemporary mega-menu system . . .

The North Face
http://www.thenorthface.com/en_US/index.html

FedEx
http://www.fedex.com/us/

OfficeMax
http://www.officemax.com/

30 Examples of Mega Menus in Web Design
http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/galleries/mega-menus/


or, if you're feeling ESPECIALLY ambitious .... http://www.displaywizard.co.uk/



Any thoughts, constructive comments . . . . ambitious/enthusiastic mad-skill coder/programmer takers ??

Anyone ??

Anyone ??

Bueller ??

Bueller ??

bossthemes wrote:Thank you very much for your suggestion. We will consider to develop a mega menu module in the near future. Stay tuned!

Best Regards,

EXCELLENT !!! - Very much looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Any additional thoughts or updates on this idea/enhancement ??

Hi TomC,

I seem to be following you around this forum on his subject.

...Surely there can't just be a couple of us interested in this function, as I agree 100% it makes for a much more user friendly and professional site.

I too would love to hear how Boss Themes is getting on with the mega-menu extension/theme....hopefully due soon.

Cheers, J

joebloggs808 wrote: I too would love to hear how Boss Themes is getting on with the mega-menu extension/theme....hopefully due soon.
Cheers, J

I wrote to them again today - to follow up on both this idea/project, as well as inquire as to when they will be releasing their next theme(s). I'll update further when I hear back from them.

Great, thanks a lot.

I'm a big fan of Opencart but it's definitely an important function that is sorely missing so far - I go on living in hope that one of those talented developers out there plug this gap!

Hi everyone,

Has anyone tried the Boss Mega Menu Module ? Any +/- comments ?

Cheers!