Zen Cart side columns are the containers for the sideboxes you wish to display in your Zen Cart store such as the Category sidebox and the Best Sellers sidebox.

There are two settings involved – the width of the side column and the width of the sideboxes.  Have a read of Getting to know the side columns in Zen Cart for examples showing the effect of different width settings.

To change the width of side columns in Zen Cart:

1. Log in to your Zen Cart store Admin
2. From the Configuration menu, select Layout Settings.
   
3. There are separate settings for the left and right columns.  The two columns do not need to be the same width.
   Select Column Width – Left and then click on the Edit button.
   
4. Enter the new width you would like the sidebox columns to be and click the Update button.
    
5. Follow the same steps if you also need to adjust the Column Width – Right setting.

In our example, we now have a wider left column but the sideboxes have not been changed to use the increased available space.  So, next step is to change the width of the sideboxes.

1. Log in to your Zen Cart store Admin
2. From the Configuration menu, select Layout Settings.
   
3. There are separate settings for the left and right sideboxes.  The left and right sideboxes do not need to be the same width.
   Select Column Width – Left Boxes and then click on the Edit button.
   
4. Enter the new width you would like the sideboxes to be and click the Update button.
    
5. Follow the same steps if you also need to adjust the Column Width – Right Boxes setting.

Check you store front for the result of your changes.  Here is our new wider left column and sideboxes.

More Zen Cart:

1. Getting to know the side columns in Zen Cart
2. How do I change the Simply Kerrin Zen Cart template from a fluid width to a fixed width?
3. How do I change the width of my Zen Cart template?
4. Is it possible to change the width of the Zen Cart template?
5. How do I change the sidebox heading to an image?

To replace a sidebox heading with an image:

1. First up you will need to create the image that you want to use for the sidebox heading.  Remember to keep the image width within your column width.
2. Upload the image via your FTP client to the images folder for your current template, /includes/templates/CUSTOM/images/.
3. Next, open the english.php file located in the /includes/languages/ directory.
4. Find this section of code:

   // categories box text in sideboxes/categories.php
    define('BOX_HEADING_CATEGORIES', 'Categories');

5. and modify the define statement to include the call to the required image:

   // categories box text in sideboxes/categories.php
    define('BOX_HEADING_CATEGORIES', '<img src="/includes/templates/CUSTOM/images/categories.jpg" />');

   Make sure you copy the image name exactly, remembering that your web server is likely to be case sensitive.

   ** Be sure to keep the single quote marks in your new define statement.
   

6. Save the modified english.php file to your override folder.  This will be /includes/languages/CUSTOM/ where CUSTOM represents the name of your current template folder.

More Zen Cart:

1. Change name of Categories sidebox Heading in Zen Cart
2. Change name of More Information sidebox Heading in Zen Cart
3. Change name of Bestsellers sidebox Heading in Zen Cart
4. Change name of Page 2 Link in More Information Sidebox
5. Update Page Heading of Page 2, Page 3 or Page 4 in More Information sidebox

Below you will find four examples of how these settings affect the layout of your Zen Cart store.  Experiment with the settings to get the look you are after.

Example 1 – Default Settings

Column Width – Left Boxes – 150px
Column Width – Right Boxes – 150px
Column Left Status – Global – 1
Column Right Status – Global – 1
Column Width – Left – 150px
Column Width – Right – 150px

Example 2 – Wide Right Column and Right Boxes

Column Width – Left Boxes – 150px
Column Width – Right Boxes – 250px
Column Left Status – Global – 0
Column Right Status – Global – 1
Column Width – Left – 150px
Column Width – Right – 250px

Example 3 – Wide Left Column with Narrow Left Boxes

Column Width – Left Boxes – 150px
Column Width – Right Boxes – 150px
Column Left Status – Global – 1
Column Right Status – Global – 0
Column Width – Left – 275px
Column Width – Right – 150px

Example 4 – Narrow Columns and Wide Side Boxes

Column Width – Left Boxes – 220px
Column Width – Right Boxes – 220px
Column Left Status – Global – 1
Column Right Status – Global – 1
Column Width – Left – 150px
Column Width – Right – 150px

More Zen Cart:

1. How do I change the width of sideboxes in Zen Cart?
2. Hi Kerrin With your Free template with 2 columns the word Home is not lined up with the left side of the right column – can that be done as it runs into left sideboxes. Thanks Ron
3. I would like to know how to select a best seller in our side box. I like to change the item in my best seller side box to another one.
4. Turn off the Manufacturers Sidebox
5. Turn off the ‘Your IP Address’ display in the footer of Zen Cart

1. Open the english.php file located in the /includes/languages/ directory.
2. Find this section of code:

   define('BOX_HEADING_BESTSELLERS', 'Bestsellers');

3. and modify the define statement as needed:

   define('BOX_HEADING_BESTSELLERS', 'Our Most Popular Kits');

   ** Be sure to keep the single quote marks in your new define statement.
   

4. Save the modified english.php file to your override folder.  This will be /includes/languages/CUSTOM/ where CUSTOM represents the name of your current template folder.

More Zen Cart:

1. Change name of Categories sidebox Heading in Zen Cart
2. Change name of More Information sidebox Heading in Zen Cart
3. How do I change the sidebox heading to an image?
4. Bestsellers – Zen Cart Sidebox
5. How do I remove Gift Certificates from the Bestsellers Sidebox in Zen Cart?

Firstly, make sure that the products are in fact marked as Free Products in Zen Cart.  Go to Zen Cart Admin > Catalog > Categories/Products and select the product.  Check that the Product is Free is set to Yes.

It is then easy to modify the bestsellers query to exclude free products when generating the best selling products for the sidebox.

To exclude Free Products from the Bestsellers Sidebox in Zen Cart:

1. Open the best_sellers.php file located in the /includes/modules/sideboxes/ directory.
2. Find this section of code (around line 34):

   $best_sellers_query = "select distinct p.products_id, pd.products_name, p.products_ordered
    from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p, " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd, "
    . TABLE_PRODUCTS_TO_CATEGORIES . " p2c, " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " c
    where p.products_status = '1'
    and p.products_ordered > 0
    and p.products_id = pd.products_id
    and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
    and p.products_id = p2c.products_id
    and p2c.categories_id = c.categories_id
    and '" . (int)$current_category_id . "' in (c.categories_id, c.parent_id)
    order by p.products_ordered desc, pd.products_name
    limit " . MAX_DISPLAY_BESTSELLERS;

3. and modify to include the Master Category ID you wish to exclude:

   $best_sellers_query = "select distinct p.products_id, pd.products_name, p.products_ordered
    from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p, " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd, "
    . TABLE_PRODUCTS_TO_CATEGORIES . " p2c, " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " c
    where p.products_status = '1'
    and p.products_ordered > 0
    and p.products_id = pd.products_id
    and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
    and p.products_id = p2c.products_id
    and p2c.categories_id = c.categories_id
    and '" . (int)$current_category_id . "' in (c.categories_id, c.parent_id)
    and p.product_is_free !=1
    order by p.products_ordered desc, pd.products_name
    limit " . MAX_DISPLAY_BESTSELLERS;

4. Also, find this section of code (around line 51):

   $best_sellers_query = "select distinct p.products_id, pd.products_name, p.products_ordered
    from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p, " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd
    where p.products_status = '1'
    and p.products_ordered > 0
    and p.products_id = pd.products_id
    and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
    order by p.products_ordered desc, pd.products_name
    limit " . MAX_DISPLAY_BESTSELLERS;

5. And modify to include the Master Category ID you wish to exclude:

   $best_sellers_query = "select distinct p.products_id, pd.products_name, p.products_ordered
    from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p, " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd
    where p.products_status = '1'
    and p.products_ordered > 0
    and p.products_id = pd.products_id
    and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
    and p.product_is_free !=1
    order by p.products_ordered desc, pd.products_name
    limit " . MAX_DISPLAY_BESTSELLERS;

   
   

6. Save the modified best_sellers.php file to your override folder.  This will be /includes/modules/sideboxes/CUSTOM/ where CUSTOM represents the name of your current template folder.

More Zen Cart:

1. How do I remove Gift Certificates from the Bestsellers Sidebox in Zen Cart?
2. Set a sort order for the Featured Products Centerbox on Zen Cart Home Page
3. Bestsellers – Zen Cart Sidebox
4. Change the number of products displayed in the Featured Products centerbox in Zen Cart
5. Change name of Bestsellers sidebox Heading in Zen Cart

So, what can you do if you would like to remove gift certificates from being displayed as a best seller?  Providing the gift certificate items are all in the same category, it is easy to modify the bestsellers query to ignore this category when generating the best selling products for the sidebox.

In a default installation of Zen Cart with the demo products on, the gift certificates are in category 21.  Check the Category ID in your Zen Cart store by going to Zen Cart Admin > Catalog > Categories/Products.

To remove Gift Certificates from the Bestsellers Sidebox in Zen Cart:

1. Open the best_sellers.php file located in the /includes/modules/sideboxes/ directory.
2. Find this section of code (around line 34):

   $best_sellers_query = "select distinct p.products_id, pd.products_name, p.products_ordered
    from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p, " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd, "
    . TABLE_PRODUCTS_TO_CATEGORIES . " p2c, " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " c
    where p.products_status = '1'
    and p.products_ordered > 0
    and p.products_id = pd.products_id
    and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
    and p.products_id = p2c.products_id
    and p2c.categories_id = c.categories_id
    and '" . (int)$current_category_id . "' in (c.categories_id, c.parent_id)
    order by p.products_ordered desc, pd.products_name
    limit " . MAX_DISPLAY_BESTSELLERS;

3. and modify to include the Master Category ID you wish to exclude:

   $best_sellers_query = "select distinct p.products_id, pd.products_name, p.products_ordered
    from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p, " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd, "
    . TABLE_PRODUCTS_TO_CATEGORIES . " p2c, " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " c
    where p.products_status = '1'
    and p.products_ordered > 0
    and p.products_id = pd.products_id
    and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
    and p.products_id = p2c.products_id
    and p2c.categories_id = c.categories_id
    and '" . (int)$current_category_id . "' in (c.categories_id, c.parent_id)
    and p.master_categories_id !=21
    order by p.products_ordered desc, pd.products_name
    limit " . MAX_DISPLAY_BESTSELLERS;

4. Also, find this section of code (around line 51):

   $best_sellers_query = "select distinct p.products_id, pd.products_name, p.products_ordered
    from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p, " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd
    where p.products_status = '1'
    and p.products_ordered > 0
    and p.products_id = pd.products_id
    and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
    order by p.products_ordered desc, pd.products_name
    limit " . MAX_DISPLAY_BESTSELLERS;

5. And modify to include the Master Category ID you wish to exclude:

   $best_sellers_query = "select distinct p.products_id, pd.products_name, p.products_ordered
    from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p, " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd
    where p.products_status = '1'
    and p.products_ordered > 0
    and p.products_id = pd.products_id
    and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
    and p.master_categories_id !=21
    order by p.products_ordered desc, pd.products_name
    limit " . MAX_DISPLAY_BESTSELLERS;

   ** In this example we are excluding products that have the Master Category ID of 21 from the best sellers query.
   

6. Save the modified best_sellers.php file to your override folder.  This will be /includes/modules/sideboxes/CUSTOM/ where CUSTOM represents the name of your current template folder.

More Zen Cart:

1. How do I exclude Free Products from the Bestsellers Sidebox in Zen Cart?
2. Bestsellers – Zen Cart Sidebox
3. Remove Category Product Counts from Category Sidebox in Zen Cart
4. Change name of Bestsellers sidebox Heading in Zen Cart
5. Set a sort order for the Featured Products Centerbox on Zen Cart Home Page

The Order History sidebox is displayed for logged-in customers only who have previously made purchases.  It is not displayed for visitors (guests) or for customers with accounts that have not yet completed any purchases.

By default, the Order History sidebox displays the last six (6) items previously purchased together with an Add to Cart button in the form of a shopping cart icon.

Working with the Order History sidebox is easy.  To get you started, take a look at:

• Turn on / Turn off the display of the Order History Sidebox
• Configure the number of items shown in the Order History Sidebox

If you want to learn more about customising the Order History (Quick Re-Order) sidebox, sign up today to the Zen Cart Reference Book – the Ultimate Reference for Customising Zen Cart mailing list to receive sample chapters, bonus content and pre-launch specials.

More Zen Cart:

1. Configure the number of items shown in the Order History Sidebox
2. Turn on / Turn off the display of the Order History Sidebox
3. Zen Cart Sideboxes
4. Manufacturers – Zen Cart Sidebox
5. Reviews – Zen Cart Sidebox

In a default installation of Zen Cart, the Order History (otherwise known as the Quick Re-Order) sidebox displays the last six (6) items the logged-in customer purchased.  The items are displayed along with a Add to Cart link via a shopping cart icon.

To configure the number of items shown in the Order History sidebox:

1. Log in to your Zen Cart store Admin.
2. From the Configuration menu, select Maximum Values.
   
3. Select Recent Purchases Box.
   
   You may notice that it is marked Note: box is disabled, however this sidebox is not disabled and  can be turned on and off successfully.
4. Enter the number of products you wish to display in the sidebox and then click the Update button to save your new setting.
   
5. Note that the sidebox displays the previous items purchased up to  the maximum value set as above.  If the customer has only purchased two items in the past, for example, the sidebox will only contain two items. 

More Zen Cart:

1. Order History – Zen Cart Sidebox
2. Turn on / Turn off the display of the Order History Sidebox
3. Increase the number of Manufacturers shown in the Manufacturers Sidebox of Zen Cart
4. Reset the Order ID number in Zen Cart
5. Configure the Zen Cart Reviews Sidebox to randomly select product reviews for display

1. Log in to your Zen Cart store Admin.
2. From the Tools menu, select Layout Box Controller.
   
3. Select the Edit icon for the Order History sidebox.
   
4. In the Edit Box section, select the settings as shown here and then click Update to save your settings.
   

More Zen Cart:

1. Order History – Zen Cart Sidebox
2. Configure the number of items shown in the Order History Sidebox
3. Turn off the Manufacturers Sidebox
4. Turn off the ‘Your IP Address’ display in the footer of Zen Cart
5. Turn off Reviews in Zen Cart

To turn off the display of the Manufacturers Sidebox, follow the steps below.

1. Log in to your Zen Cart store Admin.
2. From the Tools menu, select Layout Box Controller.
   
3. Select the Edit icon for the Manufacturers Sidebox.
   
4. In the Edit Box section, select the settings as shown here and then click Update to save your settings.
   

More Zen Cart:

1. Increase the number of Manufacturers shown in the Manufacturers Sidebox of Zen Cart
2. Manufacturers – Zen Cart Sidebox
3. Turn on / Turn off the display of the Order History Sidebox
4. Turn off Tell-a-Friend in Zen Cart
5. Turn off Reviews in Zen Cart