Zen Cart features a template override system that allows you to customise the look and functionality of your store without having to modify core files. This template override system also allows you to change your store’s look and functionality as required, for example on a seasonal basis or to promote a clearance sale or special product launch, by allowing you to install multiple templates for your store. Installing a new Zen Cart Template is really quite simple.
- Download
Download the zip file of the template you would like to install. For example, the Simply Kerrin Zen Cart Template can be downloaded from Zen Cart Free Templates. - Extract
Locate the folder on your hard drive where the template was downloaded to and extract the zip file. Generally, you should be able to do this by right-clicking the zip file and clicking on “Extract all“. You will then have a folder containing files and images that make up the new template.
Extract Zip File
- Upload
Next, you will need to upload the template files to your web host. This is best done using an FTP client, such as FileZilla. Upload the template files into your Zen Cart /includes/templates/ directory.After the template folder has been uploaded to your “includes/templates” directory of Zen Cart, it will appear on both the left and right window panes of your FTP client.
If your new Zen Cart Template also contains customised language files, upload the folder to the /includes/languages/ directory retaining the hierachy of folders.
- Switch
Now that you have loaded the template files, you will need to log in to your Zen Cart store Admin to select the new template. Select Template Selection from the Tools menu of Zen Cart Admin.
Admin > Tools > Template Selection
On the Template Selection page, you will see the available templates in the Templates Installed section. Click the Preview button to view an image of the template.
Admin > Tools > Template Selection - Templates Installed
Click the Edit button and select your new template from the drop down menu. Click Update.
Admin > Tools > Template Selection - Edit
- Your new template is now the active template.
- Sideboxes
By default, all sideboxes are turned OFF when a new template is installed. Select Layout Boxes Controller from the Tools menu. Scroll to the bottom of the next page and click on the Reset button. This will reset the sideboxes to the default settings. (It does not return to the sidebox setup of your previous template.)This step is a very important part of changing templates, as the sidebox template files may be included in the new template override files.
After the sideboxes have been reset to the defaults, select your preferred layout.
- Visit your storefront (Online Catalog) to view your new template.
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#1 by Zen Cart templates on 27 October, 2009 - 7:54 am
I had a hard time setting up a Zen Cart before but now that I have been using it has been very easy for me and I am happy with how it works with my business.
By the way, you just posted a great step by step installation guide. Newbies will definitely find this post helpful.
#2 by Pauline Baker on 2 December, 2009 - 6:59 am
I would like to divide my catagories box so that it is easier for customers to see each of the catagories listed. I could do this with a line between each section or even change the text color of the varioous catagories so that they stand out.
Please can you tell me how to do this.
Your instructions for changing the template is so good. Do you know of a different template that would allow me to do this.
Desperate for help
Pauline
#3 by kerrin hardy on 2 December, 2009 - 7:13 am
Hi Pauline
Your dollhouses look fantastic.
To add a line between each category in the categories sidebox, open up your template’s tpl_categories.php file. It’s in /includes/templates/CUSTOM/sideboxes/tpl_categories.php.
Around line 57 change:
to
Let me know if this is the effect you are after.
Good luck,
Kerrin
#4 by kerrin hardy on 2 December, 2009 - 7:35 am
Grrrr!
Had some problems with the code staying intact but it’s all correct now.
Cheers
Kerrin
#5 by Pauline Baker on 2 December, 2009 - 12:51 pm
Hello Kerrin, thank you so very much for replying and so quick, only problem is I don’t know were to find includes/ templates/ etc. When I look in templates in Zen cart Admin there is nothing. Should this file be stored somewere else.
Would it be in File Zilla ?
Not with it am I
Pauline
#6 by kerrin hardy on 2 December, 2009 - 12:56 pm
Hi Pauline
The customisation of templates cannot be done through the Admin. Yes, you will need to log on to FileZilla and download the file from the template_default directory. Make your changes to it and then upload into your custom template folder in this file path: /includes/templates/CUSTOM/sideboxes/tpl_categories.php.
Hope this helps,
Kerrin
#7 by Pauline Baker on 2 December, 2009 - 11:24 pm
hello Kerrin,
Thank you very much I will give that a try now and let you know,
Thanks again
Pauline.
#8 by Pauline Baker on 2 December, 2009 - 11:41 pm
Hello Kerrin,
I did it and it looks so much better.Thank you again I also learnt how to get into the files so double thanks Pauline.
#9 by Jemima Buoy on 30 January, 2010 - 1:26 am
Hello Kerrin, I have just come across your lovely website and I need some help!
I have created a website on ardenholme.co.uk and have installed Zen Cart files and so forth.
However I am somewhat at a loss as to how to copy my templates that I have already created into Zen Cart so that it has the same colours and fonts etc.
Can one see a Zen Cart finished shopping cart page in a WYSIWYG software such as WebPlus?
Thank you for your help.
Regards,
Jemima
#10 by kerrin hardy on 30 January, 2010 - 11:57 pm
Hi Jemima
The short answer is no
As Zen Cart pages are only made when the page is requested. Information is pulled from the database, the template files and the stylesheets to build the page on the fly. Unfortunately this means that the pages cannot be viewed in a WYSIWYG editor.
The easiest way forward is to find a free template that you like the general layout of and install the template. Then you would modify the stylesheet.css to the fonts and colours that you prefer.
Zen Cart has been designed to really be your entire web site including the general pages. It is not just a shopping cart that you add on to an existing website. Of course, in saying that there is nothing to stop you from having both work together as well. Just not for the shopping and checkout process.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Kerrin
#11 by Carol on 24 February, 2010 - 4:35 am
Hi Kerrin
Thanks for all the useful info! Can you please help me with this problem?
After unzipping a template file I upload it via Filezilla to includes/ templates/ , but when I go to template selection in zen cart it does not show.
I must be wrong because this happens with all templates I want to install.
I’ll appreciate any help you can give me.
Regards
Carol
#12 by kerrin hardy on 24 February, 2010 - 7:01 am
Hi Carol
Zen Cart recognises additional templates by the presence of a template_info.php file inside a folder (of the template name) inside the includes/templates folder.
Using FileZilla, have a look what you have inside your includes/templates folder. Is there a folder with the name of the template you are installing? If there is, check that there is a template_info.php file in there.
What is the name of the template you are installing? Off the top of my head I am just wondering if perhaps there is a folder inside a folder and this ‘extra level’ means Zen Cart can’t find the file it is expecting.
Lots of questions there but I hope it helps. Let me know how you get on.
Cheers
Kerrin
PS Love your avatar!
#13 by Eus on 6 March, 2010 - 6:43 am
Hi Kerrin,
just bought the css tut! Looks great. When will the other books come? is the one a combine of the other 2??
would love to have them!
keep us posted please i realy need this!
Thnx
#14 by kerrin hardy on 2 April, 2010 - 10:47 am
Hi there
Hope the CSS Guide has been helpful.
While the Reference Book includes the CSS and Email information, it is in a different format. The Reference Book is organised by each Zen Cart page/sidebox/etc. So for each page, say the Shopping Cart page, all the ways you can customise that page are together, including the relevant Admin settings, CSS and template files.
I will definitely keep you posted!
Thanks again,
Kerrin
#15 by Dewey Allison on 26 August, 2010 - 1:42 am
I just attempted to install your template simplykerrin and put the files where indicated but it does not show up in admin,tools as a selection. Can you help me find out where I went wrong?
At first it did not work so I also installed the files under the Admin section in the includes folder too. Still nothing works. all the files are in both places. Using 1.3.9f thanks,
#16 by Dewey Allison on 26 August, 2010 - 1:45 am
sorry about previous note. I found the preview button now.
thanks,
#17 by kerrin hardy on 26 August, 2010 - 10:42 am
Glad you have found it now
Just a note, the template files do not need to be uploaded to the admin/includes folder. I’d recommend that you carefully remove the files that you have uploaded to the admin area to avoid any conflicts and confusion down the track.
Good luck with your new store!
#18 by wisconsin union theater map on 25 October, 2010 - 8:12 pm
This was a informative great post by you looking forward to come back more really soon.
#19 by David on 31 January, 2011 - 10:57 pm
Hi, I succeeded in installing the simply kerrin template but cannot figure out how to customize the header where it says “tagline here”.
I love the look of this template.
Thanks!
#20 by kerrin hardy on 19 February, 2011 - 1:21 pm
Hi David, have a look at How do I change “Sales Message Goes Here” or “Tagline Here” in Zen Cart? for instructions on customizing the sales message in the header.
#21 by Ronorw on 14 May, 2011 - 1:48 am
fixed with is that also possible? How?
#22 by Ronorw on 14 May, 2011 - 1:56 am
width I mean. So no 80% but e.g. 1000 pixels. THanks!
#23 by kerrin hardy on 17 May, 2011 - 10:53 am
Hi Ronorw, This is an easy change to do
See How do I change the Simply Kerrin Zen Cart template from a fluid width to a fixed width?
Cheers
Kerrin
#24 by boop on 1 June, 2011 - 1:25 am
GREAT template, thank you!
How do I remove all the credit cards at the bottom of page?
I also want to move the cat menu to top of page?
thank you for your assistance
#25 by kerrin hardy on 4 June, 2011 - 11:50 pm
Hi boop!
I’ve covered removing the credit cards from the footer in another post here: I want to remove the credit card info and pictures at the bottom of the simply_kerrin template.
To move the cat tabs, ‘cut’ the section from the /includes/templates/simply_kerrin/common/tpl_footer.php file and ‘paste’ in the /includes/templates/simply_kerrin/common/tpl_header.php file where you want them to appear.
Hope this helps,
Kerrin
#26 by Stephen on 14 June, 2011 - 1:35 am
Kerrin,
Found your great template and have just uploaded this to my site.
Installation was easy and a nice clean look template.
Many thanks.
#27 by Dave on 9 November, 2011 - 1:08 am
Hi Kerrin,
Sorry to bother you, I am trying to change the background of simply kerrin with an image.
How do I do that.
Regards
Dave