Tips for configuring the store

Development model: MVC Portal Engine
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The following is a list of features you should consider configuring when setting up the E-commerce solution:

Before working on the site

  • Set which global objects and settings you want to use.
    • If you do not plan to use a multi-site store running on one Kentico instance, it is recommended to use only site objects and settings.
  • Create at least one currency and select it as the main currency.

    • You also probably need an exchange table.

      Generally, there are only two cases when you do not need to create an exchange table:

      • You use only one global currency (and no site currencies).
        -OR-
      • You use only one site currency and you do not use any global object (for example, global product or tax class).
  • Set the type of rounding that the system uses for price values when calculating taxes or discounts, converting currencies, etc.
  • Set up the mass unit and its format.
    • If you do not set up the mass unit, store managers can then set weight of products in a wrong unit (as they will not see any unit by the field) and shipping options may work incorrectly.
  • Create at least one order status to be able to create orders.
  • (Portal Engine sites only) When creating transformations for displaying product listings and details, use shared transformations under a site-specific container page type.
  • Create at least one shipping option to be able to ship products.
  • Create at least one payment method and assign it to at least one shipping option to allow payment for orders.
  • Configure the settings related to tax matters:

    • Set the Default country for tax calculations

    • Choose whether Prices include tax – this determines how store managers set the prices of products.

      Note: Changing the value of the Prices include tax setting at a later point may require you to update the prices of all existing products, options, variants, etc. The system does not automatically recalculate prices or any existing orders.

  • Configure the invoice.

Before creating page types

  • When creating form controls for page type fields, use the explanation text for fields that could be unclear.
    • The explanation text is displayed directly below the field.
  • Set up page type scopes to ensure order and clarity of your products.
    • Page type scopes allow users to create only specified page types inside the individual sections of the content tree. For example, in the Books section of your on-line store, you can set the scope only for the Books page type.

Before adding products

  • Enter the default product image.
    • If you do not enter any default product image URL, products in product listings could be displayed incorrectly.
  • Create departments with defined taxes.
    • The system then automatically adds taxes to new products.
  • Enter the relationship name of products for related products, if you plan to allow only one relationship.
    • The system then prevents creation of relationships between products and unwanted pages.
  • When adding a product options category to products, it is recommended to manually select the options and not use the Allow all options property.
    • If you select Allow all options, any new option added to the option category will be also offered for the already created products.

Using on-line marketing features in on-line stores