Zen Cart can be set to operate in a number of different modes. Here the differences between showcase and showroom modes are explored.
Showcase Mode
The Showcase mode is available with or without pricing information and is set in the Store Status section of Zen Cart Admin. See Setting the Store Status in Zen Cart for step-by-step instructions.
In this mode, Zen Cart is a product catalog, showcasing your products. The Add to Cart / Buy Now buttons are replaced with a Contact Us button. In addition, visitors will not be able to register for accounts – the Login link is also removed – nor be able to make any purchases, they are only able to browse your products (or services). Showcase mode can be set with or without display of pricing information.
This is a product page with Zen Cart set to Showcase no prices mode. Note the removal of the link to Login and the replacement of the Add to Cart button with Contact Us. In addition, all references to price information has also been removed.
This is a product page with Zen Cart set to Showcase with prices mode. Note the removal of the link to Login and the replacement of the Add to Cart button with Contact Us. In this mode the price information is also displayed, even though purchases cannot be made.
Showroom Mode
In the Zen Cart Showroom mode, all visitors and customers are able to browse products and price information throughout your store. However, products cannot be purchased. Customers can continue to log in and view their account information, such as previous orders, for example. See Setting the Customer Shop Status in Zen Cart for step-by-step instructions.
Setting your Zen Cart store to Showroom mode is a great option if you are unable to process orders for some reason, such as during an emergency or while you are taking a holiday.
This is the product page with Zen Cart set to Showroom Only mode. Note that price information is displayed and customers are still able to login and access their account information. However the Add to Cart / Buy It Now options have been replaced with a message – by default this is Show Room Only. This can be updated to suit your particular circumstances.
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#1 by Jsweb on 31 December, 2009 - 8:10 am
we are often asked whether store owners should put their sites into maintenance modes when they don’t want to accept payments, so the option of showroom is nicely described…
kind regards,
JSWeb team
A certified zencart hosting provider
#2 by kerrin hardy on 2 January, 2010 - 11:14 am
Hi, thanks for popping in.
Yes, I think the Showroom mode is a much nicer alternative than the Maintenance mode for when you can’t be there to operate the store.
It’s a better experience for your visitors and you have an increased chance of converting those visitors to customers when your store reopens than if you had left them with the almost dead-end of the ‘under maintenance’ page.
Cheers
Kerrin
#3 by Bonnie F. Litz on 4 October, 2011 - 10:56 am
“Yes, I think the Showroom mode is a much nicer alternative than the Maintenance mode for when you can’t be there to operate the store.”
I prefer the Showroom Mode as well when the site is undergoing maintenance. The customers can still register and login to the site unlike in the Showcase Mode. Doing this is actually saying that you are still open for business and will be back very soon.
Bonnie F. Litz
#4 by Peg on 11 November, 2011 - 3:47 pm
I agree with Bonnie’s comments and my customers have actually mentioned the same thing to us.