This must be a somewhat common problem here, so I wonder if I can get some advice. I’ll just use a 1980’s computer store as a simplified example.
Imagine there are 3 computer brands, and each has the exact same category tree underneath, as follows:
IBM PC
. . Hardware
. . . . Monitors
. . . . Computers
. . Software
. . . . Games
. . . . Productivity
Atari ST
. . Hardware
. . . . Monitors
. . . . Computers
. . Software
. . . . Games
. . . . Productivity
Apple IIgs
. . Hardware
. . . . Monitors
. . . . Computers
. . Software
. . . . Games
. . . . Productivity
It works, but it’s kind of clunky and confusing to manage this site because it’s difficult to tell what section you’re in. It seems overly complex. So the questions is, wouldn’t it make more sense to simplify to the following category structure:
Hardware
. . Monitors
. . Computers
Software
. . Games
. . Productivity
then maybe give each project a feature “Computer Brand” that can be Atari ST, IBM PC, and/or Apple IIgs? Some games like Leisure Suit Larry exist for multiple brands, so they can have two or more checked, which is easier than setting up primary and secondary categories. Plus, I can even add others like Macintosh and Amiga later without much hassle.
It seems much better but then I have a new problem. My client understandably wants the main navigational categories to be the computer type (Atari ST, IBM PC, etc.).
I was thinking I should just set it up this way and then reprogram the navigation and sorting, but it’s a lot of work. Before doing that, I wonder if more experienced CS-Cart programmers/users/creators have better ideas, or know of some trick I don’t?
Have you considered using product features and product filters? Your top navigation would be by product type but you could also have filters to narrow choices.
Bob
[quote name=‘jobosales’]Have you considered using product features and product filters? Your top navigation would be by product type but you could also have filters to narrow choices.
Bob[/QUOTE]
The second method I was talking about uses product features, but I haven’t tried using filters yet. It seems like too much to ask of the user to require filters for basic navigation. I think filters should remain as an added but non-necessary feature for more advanced users.
I guess I’m either going to have to re-program a lot of the menus, or hire a data entry person to re-organize this into the more repetitive category structure. But it seems like everything is so highly abstracted that the programming is not a simple enough matter. So I guess a job was just created or saved… U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
Do what you clients wants, charge them again to fix their mistakes… But I do agree to create a structure where brand is not at the top.