Q: Where can I read the basics and order this service?
A: Here you go: http://www.designextend.com/page/miva/PROD/shorten-checkoutQ: Can you explain a little more about the checkout screens and what exactly is being skipped?
A: In a standard Miva Merchant store there are typically 4 screens a user encounters once they enter the checkout process. They are:
LOGN - This is typically #1, where a customer can opt to "Log into account" or "place order without account"
OINF - This is the 2nd screen where a customer (logged in or otherwise) fills in in (in the case of a new customer) or checks over (in the case of a logged in account) their ship to and bill to information.
OSEL - This screen which comes next is the one where a customer selects how they wish their order to ship and what payment method they will use.
OPAY - This final screen is where the customer enters the information used for whichever payment method selected back on the OSEL screen. For example their credit card number.
NEW!! Our recent Version2 update for Miva 4 stores allows a SINGLE PAGE checkout to be used on ALL stores. That's right, now you can present your customers with a single page to collect all information and process the order.
In Version5 stores we can ALWAYS skip the OPAY screen by putting the payment information fields on the OSEL screen and making them change as needed depending on what payment method the user selects.
We can also skip the OINF screen in the following cases:
1) The store does not use any "smart" shipping modules (please see below for an explanation of "smart" shipping modules.
2) The store *does* use smart shipping modules, but the customer is logged into an account.
Also, some return customers may log into their account before starting the checkout process, such as those in special price groups or others receiving incentives to log into their account early in the shopping session. Those customers can be taken right to a single combined checkout page where they pick a shipping and payment method, enter the payment info and then they are finished. One single screen.Q: So what's the deal with this thing? Have you discovered / invented something no one else was able to figure out in all this time?
A: No, not even close. Other people had figured out how to do this in some form or another long ago. This version simply puts all the pieces of the puzzle together and adds a few extra features. That's really all there is to it and why the price is closer to that of a nice dress shirt or two instead of an HDTV.Q: I have a version 4 store. Why do I need to use Other Page Templates module for this?
A: Strictly speaking, the module is not needed and this service could be installed in stores without it. However it would be a little more time consuming that way and as such would increase the price by about the same as what the module costs. So, in light of that we figured for the extra money you get the OPT module which has MANY additional uses for any store! BONUS!Q: It looks like this uses javascript to compute the order total / shipping amount / tax when one changes shipping methods and to display the payment information fields when someone selects one payment method or another. Does this mean a user HAS to have javascript on or else they cannot checkout?
A: Of course not. It is a simple matter to determine if a user is among the 6% or so (depending on which stats you look at, such as http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_stats.asp) without javascript available. In that case the shopper lacking JS of course would not get the benefit of the real time basket amount updates, or a much shorter (if any) process. However that user can still purchase from the store normally as they would have in any store without a shortened process.Q: My store has a lot of "stuff" in the checkout already. Coupon module redemption, gift certificate redemption, additional checkout information collection (addendum) and so on. Is there support for those things? Is accommodating them going to cost an arm and a leg?
A: Nearly all of the usual enhancements to the checkout process such as those listed above are easily handled at no increase in price. On occasion, a store may have a very unusual customization / module of some sort that needs special attention. If so, you will be made aware of that and given an accurate quote BEFORE we give you the go ahead to purchase the service.
We highly reccomend the following modules to ensure best integration:
Coupon modules:
Version 4 stores - Viking Coder's Coupon Module
Version 5 stores - Sebenza Ultimate Coupons
Payment Modules:
Paypal payment acceptance - Viking Coder's Paypal Web accept
If you are unsure at all about what you have / need, please just contact us for a quote. 90+% of the stores out there will not be charged anything extra for installation.Q: How "smart" is this thing? In other words, if I change my tax rate or add a shipping method, is the checkout process going to update itself accordingly? Or am I going to have to come and pay you every time I make a change?.
A: While it would be very very difficult (and therefore more costly in the end) to give this service the ability to adapt to EVERY possible variation in checkout elements, we have done our best to make it "smart" for more than 90% of stores and potential changes. Changes to state tax rates are completely supported in that way. Additional shipping methods and the addition / removal of a particular credit card as payment option usually are as well, for example. But even so, once in a while a store owner may add something on their own that needs to be accounted for. Most of the time we can go back in and handle that for a nominal (and usually without any) fee.Q: My store only has one payment method. i.e. I only accept credit cards visa and master card and no pay pal or cod or anything. Can I get this installed with the credit card information fields already visible and say, visa already selected in the dropdown list, instead of needing the shopper to "select one" first before those appear?
A: Yes, no problem.Q: My store only has one shipping method and it is the same for everyone. Can you get rid of the shipping selection drop down and have the shipping charge and order total simply display without user input.
A: Yes.Q: Why does it take up to 3 weeks to get this going after ordering?
A: The nature of this service requires "locking out" the store for perhaps an hour or two during installation and testing. For that reason we try to do it during low traffic hours. Basically, that means into the night. Therefore it isn't really feasible to do too many in a day without risking a severe espresso addiction. We're pretty excitable as it is.Q: I'm not from here and my mother is calling and I don't have time to read all this - and I still have questions. Can I contact someone for more information?
A: We'd be offended if you didn't! Give us a shout!