We will be using a host with cPanel for this example.

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Click on File Manager.
   
3. Select the correct location of your Zen Cart install and click the Go button.
   
   Note:  Web hosts have their preferences in naming the folders that are your Internet folders. Look for a “www” or “public_html” or “htdocs” or “httpdocs” or “wwwroot” folder. These are some of the common folder names for what is referred to as the “webroot”, which is where all your website content is served from. You need to upload your files to one of these folders. If you want your Zen Cart online store to be in a directory different to that of the webroot, you must create a directory, say shop or store, in the webroot.
4. Select Upload from the menu icons.
   
5. Click on the first Browse… button and locate the Zen Cart .zip file downloaded in the previous step.
   
6. The upload will begin automatically.  Once the upload has completed, click on the link to return to the File Manger.
   
7. Select the uploaded file (zen-cart-v1.3.8a-full-fileset-12112007.zip) by ticking the check box and then click on the Extract icon from the tools menu.
   
8. Click the Extract File(s) button.
   
9. On completion, the Extraction Results will be displayed.  Click the Close button.
   
10. The next step depends on whether your Zen Cart store will be installed in the root directory of your domain (ie www.domain.com) or in a subfolder (ie www.domain com/store or www.domain.com/catalog).
    Option 1:  Root directory of domain
    When the Zen Cart files are extracted you will notice that they are within a folder.  We now need to move the files up a level so that they are in the root directory of the domain.
    Double click on the folder name (zen-cart-v1.3.9c-full-fileset-05162010) then click on the Select All icon from the tools menu.  Now click on the Move File icon from the tools menu.
    
    Using the Backspace key on your keyboard, remove the folder name so that the files will be moved to the root directory.  This may be /public_html/ or /www/ or something similar.  Then click the Move File(s) button.
    
    Once the move has been completed, use the Up One Level icon on the tool bar to view your files.  You can now delete the empty zen-cart-v1.3.9c-full-fileset-05162010 folder.

    Option 2:  Subfolder
    Tick the checkbox next to the zen-cart-v1.3.9c-full-fileset-05162010 folder and select Rename from the menu icons.
    
    Enter your preferred subfolder name such as store, shop or cart.
    

11. Now that your Zen Cart files have been extracted and are in your preferred location, you can delete the original .zip file.
12. That’s it!  Now, in a new browser window you can check your new store’s address:
    For example, www. domain.com/store
    

More Zen Cart:

1. Uploading the Zen Cart files to your web server
2. Set File Permissions on folders
3. Create the configure.php files
4. Modify the configure.php Files
5. Remove zc_install folder

By default, the Admin for your Zen Cart store is accessed by adding /admin to your store’s address.  For example: www.store.com/admin/.

Note:  As a security precaution your admin folder should be renamed as part of the install procedure.  If you have not done this yet, visit Rename your Zen Cart Admin Folder for more details.  For those that have already renamed your admin folder, don’t forget to use your new folder name.  For example, instead of visiting http://www.store.com/admin/, it would be http://www.store.com/itswdTB67/.

The Zen Cart Admin allows you to configure your store’s settings easily as well as having all the tools you will need to manage your store’s operations on a day-to-day basis.

Zen Cart Admin Menu

All the configuration settings and tools are available from the 11 main menus:

1. Configuration
2. Catalog
3. Modules
4. Customers
5. Locations
6. Taxes
7. Localization
8. Reports
9. Tools
10. Gift Certificate/Coupons
11. Extras

Useful Links

The following links are provided:

1. Admin Home
2. Online Catalog
3. Support Site
4. Version
5. Logoff

Zen Cart Admin Dashboard

Information for store owners is available through these dashboard items:

1. Statistics
2. Orders
3. New Customers
4. Counter History
5. New Orders

More Zen Cart:

1. Rename Zen Cart Admin folder for increased security
2. Upgrade to Zen Cart 1.39g – Admin Warning
3. Adding a new Admin user in your Zen Cart Store
4. Zen Cart Admin
5. Zen Cart Admin > Configuration Menu

The fixes for known bugs are published on the Zen Cart forum at Known Bugs (and fixes) with v1.3.8 / v1.3.8a.    Check this thread regularly and apply all relevant fixes as soon as possible.

It is recommended that all Zen Cart store owners subscribe to this thread to be notified by email as new fixes are made available.

More Zen Cart:

1. Subscribe to be notified of Zen Cart Fixes to Known Bugs
2. Apply Security Patches
3. Facebook Like Button can improve shopper experience for Zen Cart stores
4. How does the Facebook Like button work with my Zen Cart store?
5. How do I set my Facebook Like Box so that it is visible to everyone?

• Patch for Local File Inclusion vulnerability
  http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=102802
• Patch for SQL Injection Risk
  http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108428
• Patch for Serious Admin Vulnerability
  http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130161
• Patch for PCI Scan Error Message
  http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130701
• Patch for PHP 5.3 compatibility (Optional)
  http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140960

Notifications for Security Patches released for the 1.3 series of Zen Cart are available from the Zen Cart Support Forum:  http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131115.  It is highly encouraged all Zen Cart store owners subscribe to receive security announcements, as shown below, and install security patches as they are released.

More Zen Cart:

1. PHP 5.3 patch for Zen Cart v1.3.8 / v1.3.8a – Now Available
2. Apply Known Bug Fixes
3. Zen Cart version 1.39a – now officially released!
4. Important update of Zen Cart – latest version now 1.39h
5. Rename Zen Cart Admin folder for increased security

Do NOT leave the Zen Cart Installer (zc_install folder) on the server of a live site.  Simply renaming the folder is not adequate as your store will still be vulnerable if this renamed folder was discovered.

1. Open your FTP client.  For this tutorial we will be using FileZilla.
   
2. In the Quickconnect section at the top of the screen, enter your Host, Username, Password and Port information and click on the Quickconnect button.  This information would have been sent to you when you first signed up for your web hosting agreement.  If you do not have this to hand, contact your web host.
   
3. Once connected, you will notice that the section on the left hand side of the screen is your local files (ie the files on your computer) and the section on the right hand side is your web host files (ie the files that make up your website).

   Under the section on the right hand side (the remote files) navigate to your Zen Cart store files.

4. Right click on the zc_install folder and select Delete.
   
5. Click on Yes to confirm the Delete action.
     
6. The FTP software will then work through and delete the zc_install folder and all the subfolders and files within.
7. On completion, visit your Zen Cart store front again and you will see that you have now addressed both red security warnings.
   

More Zen Cart:

1. Rename Zen Cart Admin folder for increased security
2. Set File Permissions on folders
3. Uploading the Zen Cart files to your web server
4. How to backup your Zen Cart Store Files & Templates using FileZilla
5. Installing & Configuring Zen Cart – Full Step-by-Step Guide

Sometimes it is not possible to set the permissions to read-only with your FTP software (even if it appears to be setting it to read-only), the best way is to use your web hosts control panel, such as the File Manager in cPanel.

1. 1. Log in to cPanel.
   2. Click on File Manager.
      
   3. Select the correct location of your Zen Cart install and click the Go button.
      
   4. Double click on the /includes folder and scroll down to the file named configure.php.  Tick the checkbox next to this file and click on the Change Permissions icon in the menu.
      
   5. Untick the Write and Execute boxes until the Permission reads 4 4 4 (read-only for all), then click the Change Permissions button.
      
   6. Navigate to the root of your Zen Cart install and double click on the Admin folder.
   7. Locate the configure.php file.
      

      Note: that while the Online Catalog configure.php and the Admin configure.php files are similar, these are not identical files and cannot be transferred or copied between the two locations.

   8. Then, as before, click on Change Permissions and change to 4 4 4 (read-only for all).
   9. The configure.php files are now ready.  Visit your Zen Cart store front again and you will see that only one red security warning remains.
      

More Zen Cart:

1. Create the configure.php files
2. Set File Permissions on folders
3. Download Zen Cart Installation Files
4. Uploading the Zen Cart files to your web server
5. How to backup your Zen Cart Store Files & Templates using cPanel

1. In your favourite browser, enter the URL of your new Zen Cart online store.  This is the address you uploaded the Zen Cart files to.  This will be something similar to www.domain.com (if you installed in the root folder) or www.domain.com/store or www.domain.com/catalog (if you installed in a sub-directory).  In my example, this is www.kerrinhardy.com/dsf/.The Zen Cart Installer home page will be displayed.  Click on the Click here to begin installation link as shown.

   

2. The Welcome screen explains the main features of Zen Cart.  Click on the Continue button.
   
3. On the next screen, you will need to confirm your acceptance of the Zen Cart GPL licensing agreement.  Click Continue.
   
4. You will find a lot of information on the next screen – System Inspection.  The Zen Cart Installer inspects the web server and reports if there are any incompatibilities with the technical requirements for running Zen Cart.  You will need to address any red warnings or error messages before the installer can continue .  Click on Recheck as required.  When ready click on Install.
   
5. On the next screen – Database Setup – complete the Database Username, Database Password and Database Name fields.  You would have recorded this information in Step 4 – Creating a MySQL Database in cPanel for Zen Cart Installation.  Click on Save Database Settings.
   
6. The Zen Cart Installer will now create the required tables and information in your new database.The next screen is the System Setup.  Review the Server/Site Settings provided.  At this stage it is best to leave Enable SSL as set to No for both the store and the admin.  You will be able to enable SSL at a later stage.  Click on Save System Settings.

   

7. Zen Cart provides the ability to integrate an existing phpBB Forum with Zen Cart.  This way customer accounts can be used for both the forum and online store.  In most cases, you will leave this set to No then click on Save phpBB Settings.
   
8. The next screen is the Store Setup.  Enter in your Store Information as required.Selecting Yes to Install the Zen Cart Demonstration Categories and Products is highly recommended.  These enable you to learn about the various Product Management techniques available in Zen Cart and they can be easily disabled when you no longer require them.
   
9. In the next step – Administrator Account Setup – you will enter your preferred Administrator Account information.  Note: both Administrator Username and Administrator Password are case sensitive.

   Ensure you record this information in your Zen Cart notebook as you will need this to log in to the Admin panel of your Zen Cart store.Click Save Admin Settings.
   

10. And you have now completed the Zen Cart Installer process.  Congratulations!
    
    Test that you can access your store front and both access and login successfully to your store Admin.
    

More Zen Cart:

1. Getting ready to run the Zen Cart Installer
2. Remove zc_install folder
3. Creating a MySQL Database in cPanel for Zen Cart Installation
4. Modify the configure.php Files
5. Set File Permissions on folders

Your Zen Cart Toolkit will consist of a variety of tools however for the installation of Zen Cart you will just need these basics:

• FTP software to transfer files back and forth from your computer to your webserver
  You will need a quick and reliable FTP program such as FileZilla.
• A Source Code Editor for modifying files in the Zen Cart software
  You will also need a reliable editor such as Notepad++ or CrimsonEditor.
• Zen Cart Notebook
  This is just a simple notebook or file for you to record important information regarding your implementation of Zen Cart.  This will include things like the Zen Cart database name, username and password, the Zen Cart Admin username and password, web hosting details as well as things like Add Ons installed and customisations made as you move forward.  It doesn’t have to be anything fancy but it will make your life easier if all this information is in one spot and always kept up-to-date.

After you have completed the installation and configuration of Zen Cart and move on to customisation, you will probably be looking for more cool and helpful tools.  See the Zen Cart Toolkit for more ideas and recommendations.

More Zen Cart:

1. Getting ready to run the Zen Cart Installer
2. Zen Cart Toolkit
3. Facebook Like Button can improve shopper experience for Zen Cart stores
4. Zen Cart Toolkit
5. Log in to your Zen Cart Admin

Zen Cart offer certified Web Hosts that have pledged to provide superior customer service to all of their customers and ensure that their servers are set up to run Zen Cart without requiring any changes to the program.  Choosing a Certified Host will also help to keep Zen Cart moving forward as they have pledged financial support to the Zen Cart project.

A good little test to check the efficiency of a hosting company is to email their customer service department and see how long they take to respond to you. You can also search the Internet for forums, reviews and information about the specific web hosting providers. Price of course should be taken into consideration, but in the world of web hosting you often get what you pay for.

Zen Cart Requirements

The recommended server configuration is:

• PHP 4.4.x or higher
• Apache 1.3.x or 2.x
• MySQL 3.2x or 4.0.x (with significant memory resources devoted to the MySQL processes)
• Register Globals = off
• PHP Safe_Mode = off

Notes

• CURL
  Many shipping and payment modules require CURL to be installed and compiled with PHP.
• SSL & HTTPS
  Support for HTTPS may be required depending on the payment methods being accepted.  The use of SSL during account creation and checkout is recommended.
• PHP as CGI
  If you are running on a Unix/Linux host with PHP running as CGI, you may have some difficulties. In Linux, it is recommended to use PHP as an Apache module, not as a CGI app, unless you have server-level control of configuring the CGI options and advanced knowledge of tuning the server to function optimally.
• PHP5
  PHP5 is not officially supported by Zen Cart™ v1.3.x at this time since it hasn’t been exhaustively tested; however, many shopowners are successfully running their shops on servers using PHP5. The development of v1.3.x is using constructs that are more compliant with PHP5 but full specific testing for PHP5 is not a primary goal of the 1.3.x series. Zen Cart™ v2.0.0 is built on PHP5, and will require PHP 5.2 as a minimum.
• MySQL 4.1.x
  MySQL 4.1.x uses an encryption scheme that is not 100% supported by PHP4 on older servers, so may not work with Zen Cart™ v1.3.x unless your host has upgraded their support for compatibility between the two systems.
• MySQL5
  MySQL 5 has some tighter constraints on various SQL statement constructs. Zen Cart™ v1.2.x requires some coding alterations in order to work in a MySQL5 environment. Zen Cart™ v1.3.x has repaired these constructs and thus is expected to be compatible. Exhaustive testing has not yet been completed. You can use a simple patch on v1.2.x until then.
• Zen Cart v1.2.x and earlier are no longer officially supported
  Also note that versions prior to Zen Cart 1.3.x will not work on MySQL5 (typically installed alongside PHP 5).

More Zen Cart:

1. Configure the Zen Cart Reviews Sidebox to randomly select product reviews for display

1. Your domain name should be easy to remember and easy to type
   Try to make your store’s domain name succinct and easy to spell. Sometimes mis-spellings are not really as cute as you think they are and may just make your store’s address harder to get right for visitors and customers trying to find you again. The same can be said for store names that are almost full sentences.
   You might find you have your heart set on a name for your store but the domain name is already taken. So, you end up trying all sorts of wacky spellings and using hyphens and the like. Going down this path, you might just end up sending your traffic elsewhere – to sites with the correct spelling!   Try mentioning your shortlist of domain names to some of your friends on the phone and ask them to spell it out for you. Ask them if they can still remember it the next day.
   The general rule is keep it simple.
2. Try to make your domain name relevant to your store’s products
   If you can, make your store’s domain name reflect your product range. For example, if your store sells photographic equipment try to incorporate the word photography, cameras or a word relating to photography in your domain name. Sometimes it is easier said than done, but it is worth persevering to find an intuitive name.  Think of what you would do online if you were searching for a new filter for your fish tank.  Would you click on www.aquariumsupplies.com or www.somethingfishy.com?  You would probably instinctively click first on the one that you know is more likely to be relevant.
3. Choose the right domain extension
   The almost de facto standard is a .com domain name.  This is the extension that most Internet users will try first.  However, you may find that your own country’s extension (for example, .com.au or .co.uk) add that extra bit of credibility to your store – and this can work in your favour if your intended market is mainly in your home country.
   As the annual registration costs for domain names is a relatively small expense, you may wish to go for more than one domain extension.  This also protects you from having potential customers end up at someone else’s site because they couldn’t remember your exact domain name.
4. Decide on your market reach
   If your online store caters only for a specific location, then including the location in your domain name can be a smart move.  Let’s say you sell personalised, decorated special occasion cakes.  Obviously this is not a product you can ship around the world.  In this type of scenario, you will find that most Internet shoppers will include the location in their search.  For example, birthday cakes Sydney.  A domain name that includes the location will generally be higher in the search engine results and assures potential customers that your store is relevant to their search.
   However, if you are building a global online business and expect to ship your products around the world do not include a location in your domain name.  Do not include anything in your store name or domain name that would appear to limit your market.
5. Creating your brand awareness
   Once you have selected your domain name (and hopefully you have a matching store name) make it your brand.  Add your domain name to all stationery (letterhead, invoices, business cards, etc) as well as any promotional material.  Include your domain name anywhere where you mention your store name – both online and offline.

This video also runs through some important points to keep in mind when choosing a domain name for your business.

Finally, no matter what domain name you choose, make sure you always remain the owner of your domain.  I can’t emphasize this enough.   Beware of any package deals and be on the lookout for scams that involve another individual or company taking over the registration of your domain name.  Remember that your domain name is your business and you will spend a significant amount of time, effort and money in marketing and promoting your online business and this will all revolve around your domain name.

More Zen Cart:

1. What do you need to start an online store?
2. How well do you know your online business?
3. Online Store Blog Idea #2: Share a behind the scenes look
4. Online Store Blog Idea #6: Highlight store updates and new features
5. The top ‘secrets’ in finding new suppliers for your online store