Redesign the Catalog

I was thinking orf redsigning the catalog and would like to get peoples thoughts.

Do you think it would be better if we had the categories as a menu at the top?

First, lose the word "redesign" and use the word "New module"
If you want to create a new module that puts the categories at the top, that would be cool. But that should not affect the existing sidebox modules.

I don't think it really matters does it?

It's fine the way it is, and besides people use Opencart for it's core functionality, not because it looks nice, because people create their own themes.

If your idea is to replace the side menu with a drop-down top menu, I disagree. Rather, I'd also change the admin menu replacing that drop-down thing. Having "to mouseover" on every item in order to see its content is not very ergonomic and a menu where you immediately see the content would be much better, more usable and more ergonomic.

Top or main bar navigational sites are normally poorly thought out with 3 or 4 tier category structures.

There is only a single site that I can think of that has implemented a top/main bar navigational array and that is http://www.eBuyer.com. However, look closely, as soon as you move off the home page, even these peeps go to a internet-standard left hand side for categories layout.

I'd suggest not wasting the coding, if someone really wants to put their category structure in the header they can do very readily with CSS, even if I do stress its wrong to do so, unless extremely well thought out.

Matt

It was like that when I found it, honest!

ekerazha wrote:If your idea is to replace the side menu with a drop-down top menu, I disagree. Rather, I'd also change the admin menu replacing that drop-down thing. Having "to mouseover" on every item in order to see its content is not very ergonomic and a menu where you immediately see the content would be much better, more usable and more ergonomic.

I would have to disagree with the admin menu comments (and I don't think "ergonomic" is the right word). While I've used systems like CS-Cart where all the admin options were in sideboxes instead a menu... I find that having a menu is more dynamic and keeps it out of the way when not using a certain function.

Still, more reason to make things "modular" and not change existing designs to allow each person to have it their own way.

moggiex wrote:Top or main bar navigational sites are normally poorly thought out with 3 or 4 tier category structures.

There is only a single site that I can think of that has implemented a top/main bar navigational array and that is http://www.eBuyer.com. However, look closely, as soon as you move off the home page, even these peeps go to a internet-standard left hand side for categories layout.

I'd suggest not wasting the coding, if someone really wants to put their category structure in the header they can do very readily with CSS, even if I do stress its wrong to do so, unless extremely well thought out.

Matt

I agree.. this is more of an addon thing.. or a navigation option that can be easily added to the header. I've already seen some people's opencarts using this method. But it is just an "extra"... not a replacement.

Plus, it is very limited. You can only have like 10 cats max before you run out of page room. So it really comes down to a specific store that would use this. Not a generic store option

I like it as it is now.

I agree with Qphoria that it would be better to have it both and people can choose.
Bur for now I would not "waist" time over it but use that time for other features not yet available in OC

Agreed, would be worth focusing on 'other' area's, rather than a pretty menu, for which a designer is going to alter, will alter beyond recognition.

I think including some of the extra modules to OpenCart would be a goo start and a free win for the OpenCart base, such as the excel import and a few basic side modules, like the most viewed, best sellers and a highest reviewed box to add some more dynamic content, plus easy configuration for the user.

On that topic, the homepage could do with a little more than a single featured items section, the root categories hack was a very nice addon and would be another cheap win.

Also the topic of cheap wins, it would be quite easy to add some system settings in for results counts for the items per page and the items in the feature boxes.

It would be nice if there was some easy configuration for item layouts too, so instead of a 4x4 layout, a 2x6 or a 1x8 layout, with the added ability to bring through a web short description through to that page as well.

I'l shut up now

Matt

It was like that when I found it, honest!

Oh and if you're really after cheap wins, go for an affiliate module, very simple to do, standardised export facility, tracking code in the checkout and a basic admin page to track stats with client % and/or set fee rating. Guessing 4-8 hours dev time tops.

Webgains and affiliate futures would be two UK companies to look at to feed advice.

Matt

It was like that when I found it, honest!

Qphoria wrote: I would have to disagree with the admin menu comments (and I don't think "ergonomic" is the right word). While I've used systems like CS-Cart where all the admin options were in sideboxes instead a menu... I find that having a menu is more dynamic and keeps it out of the way when not using a certain function.

If you think this, then you could also remove the top menu and use a totally drop-down "start button".

I think navigation landmarks should be as much accessible as possible and I find very annoying when I have to move my cursor on every item in order to see its content.

Moreover, the OC admin uses a fixed 800px box, so the side space (where you could move the menu) is usually unused (if you don't have a 800x600 screen).

Qphoria wrote: Still, more reason to make things "modular"

I agree.

ekerazha wrote: If you think this, then you could also remove the top menu and use a totally drop-down "start button".

I wouldn't go that far. There are at least intuitive top-level menu categories, I think it is just enough as is. Not too much, not too little.

I think navigation landmarks should be as much accessible as possible and I find very annoying when I have to move my cursor on every item in order to see its content.

This could be something useful to improve the admin menu. Something like this menu, where it shows all the options: http://www.llbean.com/

Moreover, the OC admin uses a fixed 800px box, so the side space (where you could move the menu) is usually unused (if you don't have a 800x600 screen).

I agree... it is a bit of wasted space. I'd say 1024 width would be good there to give more info or expand things a bit.

Qphoria wrote:

Moreover, the OC admin uses a fixed 800px box, so the side space (where you could move the menu) is usually unused (if you don't have a 800x600 screen).

I agree... it is a bit of wasted space. I'd say 1024 width would be good there to give more info or expand things a bit.

I'd use a side menu and a fluid main box (using % instead of px).

I have implemented top drop-down menus for categories on several of our Opencart-based websites, see e.g. our old demo site. I see it more as part of a template theme than a module.

JNeuhoff wrote:I have implemented top drop-down menus for categories on several of our Opencart-based websites, see e.g. our old demo site. I see it more as part of a template theme than a module.

I see that you have a Cart-module in the right column, is this OC 1.2.4 ready?

JNeuhoff wrote:I see it more as part of a template theme than a module.

Then you need glasses
You have the normal categories on the side still with the "optional header menu module" at the top. But neither are required. As it should be

I think if this is going to be included you should give users the option of either side categories and header categories or one or the other. Not everyone likes dropdown style menus and prefer the sidebar navigation.

Craig- wrote:I think if this is going to be included you should give users the option of either side categories and header categories or one or the other. Not everyone likes dropdown style menus and prefer the sidebar navigation.

I will not give my customers this choice!
How far do you want to go with that, next thing is that customers can choose their own template.....

Daniel wrote:I was thinking orf redsigning the catalog and would like to get peoples thoughts.

Do you think it would be better if we had the categories as a menu at the top?

HI! Thanks for this discutions board. Can we think that a future version can have for example the posibility to choose the start page of the open cart? or the possibility to move modules independently? or to choose the colors for different categories? Thanks in advance for the answer. Have a wonderful day