 Online Help |
|
Online Help |
|
Settings found here are described below, grouped according to the rows of headings you see at the top of the Edit Store screen. Click any of these links to jump directly to a topic, or scroll to read the entire page:
You can also delete the store from the Edit Store screen. Click here for more information.
The store manager has complete access to all administration tools for the store.
By default the store manager is initially the same as the registered owner of the MIVA Merchant domain. Before you can designate a new person to be the store manager, they must first be entered as a user in your MIVA Merchant system. For more information, see Users.
To specify a new manager, either enter their name directly, or click Look Up, to select someone from your Users list. For more information, see Designate a Store Manager.
The store code becomes part of the the URL, for links within your store. It appears in the address field of the shopper's browser window. For example, a store code of ABC would appear as .../merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=ABC.
Other sites might link directly to your store. Changing the store code would change the page URLs and would break those links.
The store name appears in the MIVA Merchant administration interface to indicate which of your stores you are editing.
Users also see the store name on the Store Selection screen where they choose from among your stores if you have more than one.
Enter the store owner's name and contact information for the store. If your store address or phone number changes you can update them here.
|
|
Note: State/Province field is only required if the country is United States. |
Enter the label to use throughout the store wherever weight is displayed. The default is pounds. This is only a label for the convenience of your customers. You can use any term you like such as ounces, kilos, or tons.
You could also describe your products in some non-weight units such as cartons, bags, or pallets.
You can use one unit of measurement throughout the store. All your product weights will be described by the same term. You cannot mix multiple units.
Shipping charges in most shipping modules will be based on the quantity of Units of Measure regardless of what you call them. For example, three pounds, three cases, or three pallets would each be three, for the purposes of calculating shipping charges. Set up your shipping charges accordingly. For more information, see Setting Up Shipping
Some shipping modules (USPS, UPS, and FedEx) will calculate shipping charges as though the units are pounds, regardless of the unit name used in the store. There is no conversion done. If you use those shipping modules enter "pounds" to avoid confusion and inaccurate shipping fees.
Defines the time a shopper's basket can be left without any action (additions, removals, changes of quantity) before it expires. The default is 60 minutes. You can set any limit up to 1440 minutes (24 hours).
Just like in a brick–and–mortar store items that are in shopping baskets are removed from your inventory. Sometimes customers will change their minds or something comes up and they leave their baskets without checking out. If enough products accumulate in abandoned baskets it can appear that your store has run out of them.
When the basket expires at the time limit you set, the items in the basket are returned to inventory.
To determine the right time limit for your store consider the impact on your inventory levels of having items left in abandoned baskets and the potential for your customers to be interrupted (by a phone call, for instance). You want to avoid appearing to be out of items that are simply tied up in forgotten baskets and avoid frustrating shoppers by dumping their baskets while they are still browsing in your store.
Expired baskets should be deleted regularly, to clear the order numbers from the database. For more information, see Delete Shopping Baskets.
When you offer special discounts to certain groups of customers, using price groups, and a customer belongs to more than one price group, there can be a conflict between prices. Specify whether you want the customer to be offered the highest of the two prices, or the lowest. For more information, see Price Groups.
Specify the sales tax method to use in the store.
|
|
Use this with caution. Typically, you will make a selection when initially setting up your store, then never change it. If you select a different way of calculating sales taxes later, any changes you have made, including customized tax rates, or tax settings that vary by product, will be lost. |
The standard options are:
Third-party modules supporting other tax methods may be available. If one of these is installed in your store that option will be available, along with those above.
After you have selected a tax module that module name will appear as a link in the top section of the Edit Store screen. To go to the screen where you can configure your store tax options and click that link.
Select the appropriate currency formatting option from the drop-down list. The choices are European, generic, and U.S. currency formatting.
Select this option to use one country's currency, and also to display the converted value in Euros.
When you select this option, a new tab, European Currency Formatting, is added at the top section of the Edit Store screen. Click that link, and configure the following settings there:
It would be impossible to catalog (and anticipate) the formatting for all the world's currencies. Select this option to customize all aspects of displaying your currency.
When you select this option, a new tab, Generic Currency Formatting, is added at the top section of the Edit Store screen. Click that link, and configure the following settings there:
Formats the currency as standard US currency with dollar sign, commas at thousands, and two decimal places for cents. No currency link is displayed at the top of the form.
This is a convenient additional way to select from among your existing store encryption keys. Each encryption key you set up has a prompt associated with it. Those prompts appear in this drop-down list. Select the one you want to use as the current encryption key for your store.
To go to the screen where you can set up store encryption keys, in the left navigation area, expand the Order Processing menu, then select Encryption. You can also select the default (current) encryption key on that screen.
Select Require Shipping, and/or Require Tax to specify that shipping and/or tax must be calculated for all orders placed in the store. The resulting amount can be zero but the calculation must be performed. This is a fraud prevention measure to keep others from dishonestly using your store to check the validity of batches of credit cards.
Select Require Shipping for Free Orders to specify that shipping charges should be applied to orders that have no prices associated with them, such as orders for free samples. If selected shipping charges will be assessed for free orders just as they would for any other order.
Frameworks allow you to quickly apply a custom foundation when building a new store. Some Frameworks may utilize skins (based on CSS files) to control design elements.
Miva Merchant 5.5 comes with two installed—a standard framework that follows the form of the traditional Miva Merchant Look & Feel, and an Alternative Miva Merchant CSS Framework, which exhibits how much control one can have.
You can also purchase Frameworks from third-parties, or have one customized for your store.
Although Frameworks change the core page templates of the store, you can still modify templates and CSS files to further customize layouts.
Frameworks are applied to the store under the Store’s Edit Area (click your store’s link in the left menu) then click Frameworks.
To Apply A Framework:
In the left menu, click the store’s link. On the right, click Frameworks. Click the SELECT FRAMEWORK button next to the Framework you want to apply to the store.To Save A Framework:
In the left menu, click the store’s link. On the right, click Frameworks. Click the SAVE FRAMEWORK button.You need to create a unique Framework Code and Name. You can optionally upload a preview image and enter a description.
Next, check off the templates and Framework components you want to export to a Framework, then click SAVE FRAMEWORK.
The new Framework will now appear in the Framework listing.
Take your store off-line to perform maintenance. Warn shoppers with a customized message, that the store will be going offline at a certain time, so they can complete their purchases. Shoppers who try to visit your store while it is in maintenance mode will also see a message that you specify here. In addition, you can prevent new customers from entering the store just before closing.
You can enter the messages in plain text, and let MIVA Merchant format it for you, or create formatted messages using HTML.
You can also use tokens—special placeholders that will be filled in with up-to-date information in the message the customer sees. For instance, you could use the %maint_countdown% token in a note that gives the number of minutes left before the store is shut down. The tokens that are available to use in these messages are listed and defined on the screen. The default messages use tokens, so you can see how to put them into your text.
The normal state of things is to have the store online. When Store Online is selected no warning or maintenance messages are displayed.
When you are preparing to close the store for maintenance select Offline At and specify the time (in 24-hour time) and date when your store will close.
When you click Update users will see your warning message right away. When the specified time arrives the store will go offline and users will see the maintenance message.
When you have completed your maintenance work return to the Edit Store screen, go to the Maintenance Mode page, select Store Online, and click Update. Your store will return to functioning normally.
It could be frustrating to a customer if they were to start shopping just before the store goes offline. To avoid this specify a time, perhaps five or ten minutes before closing, after which new shoppers will see the maintenance message, and will be prevented from entering the store. Customers who are already in the store will be able to shop and complete their purchases right up to the actual time the store goes offline.
Create the message that shoppers will see if they are browsing in your store at any point from when you specify the time the store will go offline, to the time it actually goes offline. If you know approximately when the store will reopen, you could include that in your message, so shoppers will know when to come back.
Create the message that shoppers will see if they arrive at your store while the store is closed for maintenance.
It is sometimes not worthwhile to sell small quantities or items, or to process low-value orders. You can set a lower limit on orders in your store. If a shopper attempts to check out when their order has not met the minimum, they will see the message you specify on this screen.
You might want to mention your policy in your store, especially if the minimums are relatively high, so shoppers can plan their purchases accordingly, rather than being surprised when they are ready to checkout.
Specify the Minimum Quantity and/or Minimum Price that will be accepted as an order. You can use only one, either one, or both.
Enter a message here, either in plain text, or with HTML formatting, that explains your store policy on order minimums, and advises the shopper on how to proceed. They will see the message when they click Checkout. You may want to reassure them that they can return to shopping, and can continue to add items to their existing basket.
Define the way information is requested when a customer creates a new account. Specify what information will be required of customers, and whether separate Billing Information fields will be provided.
One set of fields is always provided, to collect the necessary shipping information. You have the option of displaying a second set of fields where the customer can enter billing information, if it is different from the shipping information.
Select Optional to display the second set of fields. If the customer leaves all of the fields blank, it is assumed that their billing information is the same as their shipping information. If they enter some information, they are required to complete all the the required fields.
Select Hidden if you do not want a second set of fields to be displayed.
Each field can be set to Hidden, Required, or Optional. If Billing Information fields are provided, the same information will be required there as well.
Select Required, the line item is in bold text on the information input screen and the form will not be accepted until the customer has entered the information.
You can use Dreamweaver to edit page templates. Configure the HTML and DATA directories by clicking your store’s link then clicking the Dreamweaver Import/Export Settings tab. The base directory is relative to the /mm5/ directory on the server.
To Export or Import Page Templates, click the Pages link in the left menu and check off the Import or Export box for any templates then click Update.
Each field can be set to Hidden, Required, or Optional. If Billing Information fields are provided, the same information will be required there as well.
Select Required, the line item is in bold text on the information input screen and the form will not be accepted until the customer has entered the information.
These two fields enable you to customize the links affiliates will use to log in to your store, and edit their account information.
You can edit either of the Affiliate links, with HTML, to use any wording you prefer, or to use an image for the link.
This link appears near the top of the category tree, with the default wording Affiliate Login. The affiliate can click the link, then enter their user name and password, to view or edit their account information.
|
|
Note - The Affiliate Login link will only appear when Activate Affiliate Programis selected, on the Affiliate Configuration screen. |
Once the affiliate has logged in, the Affiliate Login link above the store category tree is replaced with a link the affiliate can use to view and edit their account information. By default, this is a text link, with the wording Edit Affiliate Information for <affiliate code>.
The body tag, in the HTML for your store screens, controls some of the basic factors in the appearance of the store. The fields here prompt you for the information that will go in the <body> tag on each store screen. Specify the colors for links, the background color and a background image (if any). If you prefer to work with the HTML code, click Advanced Mode, and edit the <body> tag directly.
The color you specify here is the background for all screens in your store. Consider contrast with text throughout your site, and compatibility with other colors, such as the navigation bar, category list area background, list header and background colors, and button graphics.
Clickable text links throughout the store have three states, and can be displayed in a different color depending on the state. These settings do not affect buttons or image links.
You can use a repeating tiled image to create a subtle background effect or texture. Subtle is the key to using this feature effectively.
|
|
Note: Background images are among the most commonly abused elements in Web design. |
Background images can make the text difficult to read, and can make the page look cluttered. Be sure to check your results, and make adjustments if the background is distracting. If the background stands out more than it should, modify it in your photo editing or graphics program, and upload the new version. You can try reducing the contrast, reducing the color saturation, making the image lighter or darker, or blurring it slightly.
When you use a background image, the background color you specified above will generally not be visible. Still, it is a good practice to choose a background color that is close to the overall color of your background image. If the image file is unavailable, or slow to load, the background color will be seen by shoppers.
When you click Update, the changes are saved as a new version. You can add notes to each version, such as "New store colors for Spring", for your own reference. If you do not enter a note, the date and time are entered for you. You can recall any earlier version, including the original <body> tag, so you are free to experiment. If you have more old versions that you want, you can clear the version history. The current settings will not be affected, and the original version will always remain, so you have a solid starting point.
Customize the wording or look of any button in your store, like Add One To Basket or Search. After changing text or uploading images remember to click Update at the bottom of the screen.
You can change the wording of each button in the store. The button size will be adjusted to correctly display the text you enter here.
If you prefer to customize the look of the buttons in your store upload an image to appear in place of the above text button.
When you use an image for a button be sure there is explanatory text in the Text field such as the default button text (such as "Add One To Basket"). This will be used as the alternative or "Alt" text for the button. This is important for your customers who use screen readers which speak the text on the page. Since the image is not text the screen reader relies on the alternative text to describe the function of the button.
The HTML code for each button can be customized as well. You can change the text, image, alt text or action of the button directly. Click Show Code. A field will be displayed where you can edit the code for the button action. Remember to click Update to save your changes.
Specify colors to be used in areas of the store that are not specified elsewhere. The colors of some text elements such as the category tree, or list header can be changed under the Fonts tab of the Edit Store screen.
Colors can be entered using hexidecimal color specifications (such as #ffffff for white) or by entering one of the standard color names used in web site design (such as red, ivory, firebrick, or skyblue). Or choose colors directly by clicking the color bar button and selecting from the pallette. You can also enter RGB (red-green-blue) values on the color pallet to specify custom colors.
It is good practice to check the results of color changes to insure the text in your store is still clearly readable with good contrast. Remember to click Update in the administration interface to save the changes and refresh the screen in the store browser window.
The color over which categories are displayed. By default this area is the vertical band along the left-hand side of the store screen.
The color of the horizontal bar across the top of lists displayed in your store such as the Products List screen. This header style is also used during the checkout process.
Lists are displayed with alternating rows over white and another color usually a light-colored background that complements the store colors. Specify that color here.
These two fields enable you to customize the links your registered customers will use to log in to your store and edit their account information. When customers are logged in MIVA Merchant can present any special pricing (based on Price Groups) or products (based on Availability Groups) you have specified.
You can edit either of the Customer links, using HTML, with any wording you prefer or specify an image to use for the link.
This link appears near the top of the category tree with the default wording Sign In. The customer clicks the link then enters their user name and password to log in.
Once the customer has logged in the Customer Login link above the store category tree is replaced with a link the customer can use to view and edit their account information. By default, this is a text link, with the wording Welcome back, <first name> <last name>.
The font settings apply to each of the following four text elements. You can change the style of the typeface, the size, and the color.
Specify the typeface to use. Keep in mind that some users may not have the font you specify, especially if it is unusual. It is good practice to also specify a secondary font or two, which will be used if your first choice is not available on the user's computer. Separate each font in the list with a comma and a space, like this:
Broadway, Verdana, Helvetica
Font sizes are specified relative to a default of 0 (zero). That is, if you want the text to appear somewhat larger than normal, try a value of 1 or 2. For much larger text, experiment with 4, 5, or 6. If you want a smaller size, use a negative number. The exact size will vary, depending on the shopper's browser and settings, so do not rely on text to be formatted identically for all visitors to your store.
Colors can be entered using hexidecimal color specifications (such as #ffffff for white), or by entering one of the standard color names used in web site design (such as red, ivory, firebrick, or skyblue). Or, choose colors directly, by clicking the color bar button and selecting from the pallette. You can also enter RGB (red-green-blue) values on the color pallet, to specify custom colors.
It is good practice to check the results of color changes, to insure the text in your store is still clearly readable, with good contrast. Remember to click Update, then refresh the screen in the store browser window to see the changes.
Format two message screens using plain text or HTML. There is no limit on length of the text or code you can enter here.
Specify what will appear in the main area of the storefront screen, under the navigation bar, and next to the category tree. This is the first screen a shopper will see when they visit your store.
If you prefer, you can use a wizard to assist you in designing an attractive main page for your store. You can use it to construct the basic design, including a main image, descriptive text, and featured products, categories. To start the wizard, expand the Wizards submenu in the left navigation area, under the store name, then click Design Your Look. Afterward, you can return to this screen, and customize it further.
Note - To see the new HTML code created by the Design Your Look wizard, refresh the browser window. Do not click Update, as that would overwrite the newly-created message with whatever is currently in the Storefront Welcome text box.
The Invoice Thank You message is displayed near the top of the invoice, after a sale is completed. It can be as simple as "Thank you for your order," or can include HTML formatted text and images. The invoice date and time is displayed first, in the Header Text style you specified under Edit Store / Fonts, followed by this message, then the contents of the invoice.
You can customize the appearance of the navigation bar by changing the background color, adding your logo and link, and replacing the default button images, such as Product List, or Basket Contents, with your own images.
The order of the buttons is fixed, but the horizontal space will adjust to fit the new image. The height of the bar will expand to accommodate the size of the images you upload, with space above and below where the background color is visible. For best results, the logo and button images should usually be the same height. Images of varying heights will be aligned by the bottom edges.
Remember that file names for images cannot include spaces. So prod list.gif, would be accepted, but no image would be displayed. If your file names contain spaces, rename the files before uploading them in MIVA Merchant.
It is a good habit to check your results by looking at the store screen, to be sure the images are appearing as you intended. Remember to click Update after uploading new images, and refresh the store browser window.
The global header appears at the top of all screens throughout the store, and the global footer appears at the bottom of all screens. With very little effort, these features can tie all the areas of your store together with a consistent attractive look, including graphics, text, and links.
Observe that the notes and versions for the global header and global footer are distinct. You can save and recall each one independently. If you were to make changes to both, then click Update, each would be saved as a new version. To apply a descriptive comment to the new versions of both, before clicking Update, enter you comments in the Notes field for both, then click Update.
You can access the HEAD tag for your store by clicking on your linked store name on the left and then clicking HEAD Tag Content/CSS from the tabs options in the main window pane.
If you wish to customize the contents of the <head> tag in your store html code (using different metatags, keywords, a title, etc.), enter the new HTML code here. Do not include <head> and </head>, only the information that goes between them.
Anything that can be included in a normal Web page <head> tag can be used here. These include a title and description, keyword meta tag, tracking code, style sheet references, script declarations, and so on. You can also upload an external CSS stylesheet via the HEAD tag interface. If you are not familiar with these, refer to any basic HTML book or reference site.
It is not necessary to customize the <head> tag for your store. If you like, leave the field blank, and a simple <head> tag will be created for you.
Note that this is not the same as the "header" for your store. The global header is seen by shoppers on all of the store screens, and is specified under the Global Header and Footer tag, on the Edit Store screen.
NOTE: If you are using the Default MMUI Framework, and upload a CSS file, you will need to manually place the call to that file in your HEAD tag—for other Frameworks the CSS file call will be placed automatically into your page templates.
Configure the sales tax settings for your store. The name of this link will vary, depending on the sales tax option you have selected.
|
|
Note: These instructions are not intended to give advice regarding tax rates, or the right kind of taxation to use in your store. Check with your accountant or tax lawyer to determine what is best in your case. |
If you need to specify a different way of charging sales tax, do so under the Settings tab on the Edit Store screen, or use the Set Up Sales Tax wizard, which will walk you, step-by-step, through the same configuration options you can complete here. To start the wizard, expand the Wizards submenu under the store name, and select Set Up Sales Tax.
Stop and think before using the wizard, or before selecting a new way of calculating sales taxes under the Settings tab. Typically, you will make the selection when initially setting up your store, then never change it. If you select a different way of calculating sales taxes later, any changes you have made, including customized tax rates, or tax settings that vary by product, will be lost.
Once you have set up your tax calculation using the wizard, you can always make changes to any of those settings by returning to this Sales Tax screen.
Calculate Goods and Services Tax (GST), Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), and Provincial Sales Tax (PST) on shipments from a Canadian store to Canadian customers.
Entries on the top line, above the list area, apply to orders throughout Canada. When other taxes are specified by province, those settings override these.
Enter the GST rate, and HST rate to be used for all the provinces and territories. PST is entered separately for each, later. If the customer's province is not specifically listed, the GST rate entered here will be charged. The GST amount is shown as a separate charge on the invoice.
Specify whether to Tax Shipping. When shipping is taxed at this level, it is taxed at the GST rate, unless taxes for the province are set up individually, below.
Click Add Province to enter tax settings specific to a province or territory. This will put you into a mode where you can enter tax information for provinces, one after another.
Select the Province from the drop-down list.
Indicate whether to Use HST or Use PST in calculating taxes for this province.
The remaining settings only apply when using PST:
Click Update to save the settings for this province. Continue until you have set up all the provinces you need. To exit the province-adding mode, click Add Province again.
Use your own CertiTAX account with MIVA Merchant, to accurately calculate sales tax at the state, county, city, and local levels. This is done automatically without any maintenance required. Updates in tax laws, rates, jurisdictions, and tax exemptions are all handled for you.
Enter your CertiTAX Merchant Serial Number. Note that this is issued to merchant when they sign up for a CertiTAX account, and is not the same as a MIVA Merchant License Number. If you do not already have a CertiTAX Merchant Serial Number, you can enroll and get one now, and learn more about features and benefits, by visiting www.esalestax.com.
Select Line item level calculation if you want to calculate tax for each item rather than for the basket total. You must sign up to use this feature. Select Validate Addresses to have CertiTAX verify customer addresses.
German value added tax is used by German merchants who are selling products within the European market.
Note: When this tax module is selected, three new links are displayed in the top section of the screen: VAT Rates, VAT Countries, and VAT Options.
After specifying the available tax rates, assign them to each product. Click Products in the left navigation area, then click Edit for the product you want to assign a tax rate. Near the top of the Edit Product screen, click the VAT tab, and select the desired VAT Rate from the drop-down list. Click Update. Remember that after clicking Update, you can move through the product list by clicking the small arrow buttons at the bottom of the screen.
Normally, there are only two German VAT rates, 16% and 7%. Which is charged depends on the product or service.
If a situation arises that requires an additional VAT rate to be created, click Add Rate. This will put you into a mode where you can create new tax rates one after another. Enter a descriptive name, the tax rate, then click Update. Continue until you have set up all the rates you need. To exit the rate-adding mode, click Add Rate again.
To change the description or rate for an existing tax rate, click Edit Here.
View and edit the list of countries that can be charged German VAT.
To remove a country from the list, select the appropriate Remove check box, and click Update. To include a new country in the list, click Add Country. To specify tax rates, click Add RateThis will put you into a mode where you can add new countries one after another. Select a country from the drop-down list, then click Update. Continue until you have added all the countries you need. To exit the rate-adding mode, click Add Country again.
There are several options for the way German VAT is calculated. Select all that apply.
Configure sales tax options that shoppers can select, from a drop-down list, during the checkout process.
At the top of the list area, enter the Prompt the shoppers will see near the list of selections. The default is "Select One: ".
To specify tax rates, click Add Rate. This will put you into a mode where you can create new tax rates one after another. The options you enter here can be selected by the shopper, from a drop-down list. Enter a descriptive name, the tax rate, and specify if shipping charges are to be taxed, then click Update. Continue until you have set up all the rates you need. To exit the rate-adding mode, click Add Rate again.
To change the option description or rate for an existing tax rate, click Edit Here.
Assign tax rates by state. When an order is shipped to one of the states with an assigned tax rate, the assigned rate will be applied to the order, otherwise no tax will be charged.
Select, from the drop-down list, whether taxes are to be calculated based on the rates for the state to which the order is shipped, or the state where the bill-to address is located.
To specify the tax rate for each state, click Add Rate. This will put you into a mode where you can add rates one after another. Enter the first state and tax rate, and specify if shipping charges are to be taxed, then click Update. Continue until you have set up all the rates you need. To exit the rate-adding mode, click Add Rate again.
Configure tax rates on per-product basis. You can add tax rates to as many products as you wish. If the product you want to work with does not exist yet, click Add Product to create it. You can also specify the tax rate for any existing product, from the Edit Product / VAT screen.
In the Prompt field, enter the label for sales tax rate during the checkout process, and on the invoice.
Use the Edit Here buttons to quickly change just the tax rate for each listed item. To access the complete product record, click Edit.
Select whether to offer customers the opportunity to log in (or to create a customer account) before proceeding with the checkout process. This can be especially useful if you offer special pricing to certain customers via Price Groups. It can also encourage shoppers to create an account, which can make their future visits to your store even more convenient.
You can delete the store using the Edit Store screen.
|
|
Caution: Be sure that this is what you want to do and make backups of the files that you want to keep. You will lose all your products, orders, groups, and everything in your store if you delete it. |
