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.

More Zen Cart:

1. Setting your Zen Cart Store to Maintenance Mode
2. Setting the Store Status in Zen Cart
3. I’ve set my Zen Cart to showcase only – how do I remove the Shopping Cart and Currency drop down menu?

Zen Cart is an ideal solution for those looking to build an online portfolio while still having the option to move to an online store quickly and easily in the future.

A Zen Cart store can be set to operate in one of three modes:

1. Normal Store (Default)

   This is normal store mode where customers can browse products, add to shopping cart and then complete their purchases (all online through the Zen Cart store).

2. Showcase Mode (without prices displayed)

   In this mode, Zen Cart is a product catalog, showcasing your products without reference to prices or purchasing.  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).

3. Showcase Mode (with price displayed)

   This mode functions in the same way as above with the addition the prices are also displayed.  It is still showcase mode with the Add to Cart and Buy Now buttons replaced by a link to Contact Us.

To set your Zen Cart Store Status:

1. Log in to your Zen Cart store Admin
2. From the Configuration menu, select My Store.
   
3. Click on the Info icon on the Store Status line.
   
4. Click the Edit button.
   
5. Select your preferred mode for Store Status:
   0= Normal Store
   1= Showcase no prices
   2= Showcase with prices
   
6. Click on Update to save your selection.

Note that the Store Status is different to the Customer Shop Status setting.  For more details see Setting the Customer Shop Status in Zen Cart.

More Zen Cart:

1. Setting the Customer Shop Status in Zen Cart
2. Difference between Showcase Mode and Showroom Mode in Zen Cart
3. Setting your Zen Cart Store to Maintenance Mode
4. Order Status – Zen Cart Email Template
5. Zen Cart Admin > Configuration Menu > My Store