====== Quick Start with ProductCart ======

This section applies to users of both [[:productcart:productcart|ProductCart]] and [[:bto:bto|ProductCart Build To Order]]. before you get started, make sure you have a [[http://www.earlyimpact.com/productcart/system-requirements.asp|Web hosting environment that supports ProductCart]].

===== Installation Quick Guide =====

Here is a quick overview of the steps required to install ProductCart. For a more in-depth description of each step, see the [[:productcart:productcart|ProductCart User Guide]].

  * Unzip the ProductCart file that you have downloaded after your purchase to a folder on your desktop
  * Using an FTP program, upload to your Web server the //productcart// folder within the //[[:productcart:install#parent_paths_enabled_and_disabled|Parent Path Enabled]]// folder \\ ([[:productcart:install#parent_paths_enabled_and_disabled|More]] on running ProductCart with Parent Paths Enabled vs. Disabled)
  * Set [[:productcart:install-permissions|folder permissions]] for the //Internet// user (IUser) or the //Everyone// user:
    * Read/Write permissions to the //productcart// folder and all of its sub-folders and files
    ** Read/Write/Delete to the //productcart/includes// folder and all of its sub-folders and files.
    ** Read/Write/Delete to the //productcart/pcadmin// folder and all of its sub-folders and files.
  * [[:how_to:rename_pcadmin_folder|Rename the "pcadmin" folder]]
  * [[:how_to:rename_productcart_folder|Rename the "productcart" folder]]
  * [[:productcart:install-db|Setup the database and connect to it]]
  * [[:productcart:activate|Run the ProductCart Setup Wizard]].

<note important>Do not use Adobe Dreamweaver or another HTML editor as you FTP program. Why? Because the synchronization utilities that they contain can negatively affect your storefront (e.g. you could inadvertently be replacing important files).</note>
===== Installation with popular Web hosting companies =====

Many companies offer Web hosting services that work particularly well with ProductCart. See "**[[http://www.earlyimpact.com/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=13|Web hosting for ProductCart]]**" in the ProductCart forums. If you are looking at different hosting companies, please make sure that you have reviewed the [[http://www.earlyimpact.com/productcart/system-requirements.asp|ProductCart system requirements]].

  * [[godaddy|GoDaddy]]: here you will find specific instructions on how to host ProductCart at GoDaddy
  * Rackspace Cloud Hosting (Mosso): some customers are reporting [[http://www.earlyimpact.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2586|problems]]

Typical installation tips:

  * Don't use the FTP component built into the Web hosting control panel: there are too many files to upload. Instead, use a desktop application (e.g. [[http://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type=client|Filezilla]] is free).
  * Use the built-in tools to set folder permissions. Permission are often set through a "File Manager" utility in your Web hosting control panel.
  * Use the built-in tools to create a MS SQL database and [[:productcart:install-db#running_the_sql_script|run the setup query]]. Otherwise, [[:how_to:runscript|download a free tool to do so]].

===== Desktop Installation =====

ProductCart is not a desktop application, but rather a fully Web-based ecommerce system. You will use your browser to manage your online store after ProductCart has been installed on your Web site. However you can certainly **[[desktop|install ProductCart on your desktop]]** for testing and development purposes.

===== Main settings =====

Once ProductCart has been installed, you can immediately start adding information to your store. If you wanted to, you could start selling products from your new e-commerce storefront within minutes!

  * **Configure general store settings**. Select //Settings > Store Settings//: for details about configuring General Settings, [[:productcart:productcart#chapter_3general_settings|see Chapter 3]].
  * **Add products to your catalog**. First add one or more product categories to assign your product to. To do this, select //Products > Manage Categories// from the navigation menu. Once the first category has been added successfully, select //Products > Add New Products// to add your first product to the store. How to add a new product to your online catalog is the subject of the [[:productcart:productcart#chapter_4managing_products|Chapter 4]].
  * **Add shipping options**. You will probably need to specify which shipping options will be available to your customers. To do this, select //Shipping > Shipping Settings// to enter the address of the location from which orders will be shipped, and configure other settings that are related to shipping orders. Select //Shipping > Add or View Shipping Services// to add a variety of shipping options to your store. Refer to the [[:productcart:productcart#chapter_6shipping_options|Chapter 6]] for more information.
  * **Add payment options**. Then, specify how customers will pay for their orders by adding payment options to your store. Select //Payments > Add New Payment Options// from the navigation bar. You can use one of dozens of supported payment gateways, or create your own custom payment option (e.g. "Net 30").
<note>You need to add at least one payment option to your store before you can register and check out. If you attempt to register or place a test order when no payment options have been set, you will receive a message stating so.</note>

===== Web site integration =====

It's easy to integrate your ProductCart-powered store pages with the rest of your Web site.

  * [[:productcart:storefront-integrate|Integrate ProductCart with your Web site]]
  * See a [[http://www.greatonlinestores.com|directory of e-commerce stores powered by ProductCart]] to see what other etailers have done
  * Add ProductCart widgets to your store interface (e.g. a list of recently viewed products, a search box, etc.)
    * [[:how_to|"How To" articles]]
    * [[:widgets|Widgets and third-party add-on's]]