Products & Catalogs

v12.1 - Last Mod.: 03/09/2023
With the SITEFORUM Online Shop you can offer and sell your products and services. Manage catalogs, products, orders and proposals and create catalogs hierarchically with different templates.
Note: To work in this area, please log in as "Portal Master" or "Shop Manager."

1. Catalogs

You create catalogs and sub-catalogs to distribute your products to the catalogs and to categorize and arrange your online shop. You can create as many catalogs and sub-catalogs as you need.
Following catalog structure is possible:
Notebooks and PCs
|_Software
|  |_Graphics
|  |_Applications programs
|_Hardware
  |_Hard discs
  |_Motherboards

1.1 Overview

Here you create the basis of your online store by creating products and catalogs. In this way, you sort and organize your store, which can be expanded as you wish.
  1. Click the button Portal Manager to get to the administrative area.
  2. Then click Sales & Support > Products & Catalogs.
  3. In the navigation on the left, below Catalogs, click Overview.


You get the following overview as far as catalogs exist already:
  • With the selection box All Main Catalogs you can navigate through all catalogs.
  • Position By clicking the arrows you can change the positions.
  • Language The flag symbolises the language.
  • Catalogs Shows the name of the catalog. By clicking the name you get to the sub-catalogs of the chosen main catalog, q.v. 1.3 Add Sub-catalog.
  • Sub-catalogs Shows the number of sub-catalogs. Clicking on the number will take you to the sub-catalogs of the selected main catalog. Click on the "+" icon to add a new subcatalog, q.v. 1.3 Add Sub-catalog.
  • Products Shows the number of the products located in the catalog.
    By clicking the number you get to the products which are located in the catalog, q.v. 2. Products.
  • Actions Shows a list of possible operations to manage catalogs:
    • Translate By clicking the icon you can translate the catalog.
    • Edit By clicking the icon you get to the editing mode.
    • Delete By clicking the icon you can delete the catalog.

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1.2 Add Main Catalog

Create new catalogs here and equip them with the desired parameters: Name, access assignment to specific user groups, language, shipping methods, etc.
  1. In the overview click the +Add button.
  1. Enter a name for the catalog in the Name mandatory field.
  2. Activate in the area User Group(s) the user groups which should get access to the catalog.
  3. From the selection box Language choose the standard language of the catalog.
    Activate the checkbox only one language behind if this language should be the only one.
  4. From the selection box Representation choose the template, which describes the layout of the products in that catalog.
    Note: You can individually add and adjust these templates, so-called Design Templates, in the Design area, q.v. Support Designer > Design.
  5. Activate the checkbox Price list view to list products not dependent on a layout template but in a price list view.
  6. Mark in the area Shipping method the shipping method. To select several shipping methods keep the Ctrl button pressed.
    Note: You can define individual shipping methods in the shop preferences, q.v. Support End User > Sales & Support & Shop Settings.
  7. Click the button Save when ready.

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1.3 Add Sub-catalog

Note: You have to add a main catalog first to create a sub-catalog in it.
Create new subcatalogs here and equip them with the desired parameters: Name, access assignment to specific user groups, language, shipping methods, etc.
Here you create the basis of your online store by creating products and catalogs. In this way, you sort and organize your store, which can be expanded as you wish.
  1. Choose in the overview the main catalog in which you want to add a sub-catalog.
  2. Click the green + button in the Subcatalogs column or the blue number in the Subcatalogs column.
  1. Click the +Add button in the overview, which is located in the upper right corner.
  2. Enter a name for the subcatalog in the Name mandatory field.
  3. In the User group(s) area, activate which user group(s) should have access to the catalog.
  4. Use the Language drop-down list to select the language of the catalog.
    Activate the checkbox as the only language behind if the selected language should be the only possible language.
  5. Activate the checkbox Price list view for this catalog to display products directly in a price list view instead of depending on a layout template.
  6. Use the Representation drop-down list to select the desired intro template that will define the layout of the products that will be included in this catalog.
    Note: These templates, so-called design templates, can be created and edited individually in the Design area, see Support Designer > Design.
  7. Select the shipping method in the mandatory field Shipping methods. To select multiple shipping methods, hold down the Ctrl key.
    Note: You can define several of these individual shipping methods in the store settings, see Support End User > Documentation > Sales & Support & Shop Settings.
  8. Click the Save button when you have made all the settings.

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1.4 Edit Main Catalog

  1. Choose in the overview the catalog you want to edit.
  2. Click the Action icon and select Edit.
  1. Do the desired changes, q.v. 1.2 Add Main Catalog.
  2. Click the button Save when ready.

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1.5 Edit Sub-catalog

  1. In the overview, select the main catalog that contains the subcatalog you want to edit.
  2. Click on the number in the Sub-catalogs column.
    The overview of the Sub-catalogs appears.
  1. An overview of the subcatalogs opens. Select the subcatalog you want to edit.
  2. Click the Action icon and select Edit.
  1. Do the desired changes, q.v. 1.3 Add Sub-catalog.
  2. Click the Save button when you have made all the settings.

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1.6 Translate Main Catalog

  1. Choose in the overview the main catalog you want to translate.
  2. Click the icon Actions and choose Translate.


The Translations tab opens:
  • Flag The flag symbolizes the language.
  • Language Shows the language of the catalog.
  • Name Shows the corresponding translation.
  • Action to manage existing translations:
    • Edit By clicking the icon you get to the editing mode.
    • Delete By clicking the icon you can delete the translation.
  • Translate By clicking the button you can translate the catalog to a new language.
  1. Click the Save button when you have made all the settings.

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1.7 Translate Sub-catalog

  1. Choose in the overview the main catalog which contains the sub-catalog you want to translate.
  2. Click on the number in the Sub-catalogs column.
    The overview of the Sub-catalogs appears.
  1. An overview of the subcatalogs opens. Select the subcatalog you want to translate.
  2. Click the icon Actions and choose Translate.


The Translations tab opens:
  • Flag The flag symbolizes the language.
  • Language Shows the language of the sub-catalog.
  • Name Shows the corresponding translation.
  • Action to manage existing translations:
    • Edit By clicking the icon you get to the editing mode.
    • Delete By clicking the icon you can delete the translation.
  • Translate By clicking the button you can translate the sub-catalog to a new language.
  1. Click the Save button when you have made all the settings.

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1.8 Delete Main Catalog

  1. Choose in the overview the main catalog you want to delete.
  2. Click the icon Actions and choose Delete.
  1. An orange confirmation prompt appears.
  2. Click the OK button if you want to delete the catalog.

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1.9 Delete Sub-catalog

  1. Choose in the overview the main catalog which contains the sub-catalog you want to delete.
  2. Click on the number in the Sub-catalogs column.
    The overview of the Sub-catalogs appears.
  1. An overview of the subcatalogs opens. Select the subcatalog you want to delete.
  2. Click the icon Actions and choose Delete.
  1. An orange confirmation prompt appears.
  2. Click the OK button if you want to delete the catalog.

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2. Products

You can add as many products as you need. Assign the products to the different catalogs.
Under this point you may edit the products of your shops. Select the desired catalog and a list of all products contained will be displayed. Now, you can move products within the catalog, change language, name and article numbers, or translate, copy or delete products.
  1. Click the button Portal Manager to get to the administrative area.
  2. Then click Sales & Support > Catalogs & Products.
  3. Click on Products in the left navigation below Catalogs & Products.
  4. Use the drop-down list to select the catalog that contains the products you want to view and press the Display button.
  5. If you select Catalog - No selection, you will see an overview with all products from all catalogs.
You get the following table:
  • Status Shows the status of the product, green = active, red = inactive. By clicking the circle you can change the status.
    Note: By clicking the link Status in the column head you can switch between the display of all products or only active ones.
  • Position If you are in a catalog and not in the general overview, then you can use drag & drop to move the individual products up or down.
  • Language The flag symbolizes the language.
  • Product name Shows the name of the product.
  • Product number Shows the product number.
  • Actions Shows a list of possible operations to manage products:
    • Edit By clicking the icon you get to the editing mode.
    • Translate By clicking the icon you get to the translating mode.
    • Copy By clicking the icon you can copy the product.
    • Delete By clicking the icon you can delete the product.

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2.1 Add

  1. Click Products in the left navigation below Catalogs & Products.
  2. Click on the orange button + Add in the upper right corner.
    You will be taken to step 1. templates.
  1. Select the desired template by clicking on the icon.
    Note: This is a list of product templates. A product template is a layout template, which is essential for the product as a main template. These templates specify the layout of your products and the alignment of texts and images. You can extend and customize these templates in the Design Manager. Click a template to continue. If you edit the product later again you can assign another template. You can also edit existing templates or create new ones, q.v. Support Designer > Design.
    You get to step 2. Text & Details.
  1. Enter the product number, a number/letter combination, in the mandatory Product number field.
  2. Enter a name in the mandatory Product Name field. This name will also be the heading.
  3. In the Short Description field, enter a short description of the product that is less than 1000 characters (about 10 sentences) and will be listed in the search results.
  4. Enter a detailed description of the product in the Long Description field. This content can include HTML elements.
    Note: Format the text using the WYSIWYG editor (What you see is what you get) if you do not have HTML knowledge. The Source Code button of the WYSIWYG editor will take you directly to the HTML source code, which you can also edit from there.
  5. With the Link Generator you can link to other elements like images, documents, websites, etc. in the HTML source code without using any placeholders.
    1. Click the button Link Generator.
      A new window opens.
    2. Please select the link type you need from the drop-down list.
    3. Select the appropriate element from the drop-down list.
    4. If you want to go back click the button New selection.
    5. Enter in the field Link text the name of the link.
    6. Click the button Create link.
    7. Copy the created link to the desired place in the HTML source code.
    8. Click the button Close to close the Link Generator.
  6. In the Image section, click the Media Pool button to upload the image you want to display in the product.
    The file system opens.
    • If you have already uploaded the desired image to the file system, select it from the appropriate folder.
    • If the file is located locally on your computer,
      1. Click the + Files button.
      A second window will open.
      2. Click the Select files from my computer button.
      3. Click the Open button of the second window.
      The second window will close again.
      4. Click the Save button in the file system.
      5. Under Selection, choose the size at which the image should be uploaded (reduced, original width of the image). After that press Insert.
    • The file is shown in the field.
      Note: Please use images only with the file endings *.jpg, *.gif and *.png. For further information for the File System, q.v. Support End User > Documentation > Tools & Administration > Files.
  7. Enter in the field Supplier the desired supplier.
  8. From the selection box Preferred language choose the preferred language for the product.
  9. From the selection box Show on intro choose if the product should show on intro.
  10. From the selection box Owner of the product choose the owner.
  11. Click the button Next step when ready.
    You get to step 3. Price.
  1. In the Price column, activate the option of the pricing system you want to specify.
    • No discount system Use this option to define a regular price that is the same for each user group.
    • User level (Price) Use this option to define which user group will receive discount and in what amount.
    • User level (Percent) This option allows you to define what percent discount a certain user group will receive.
  2. In the selected pricing system, enter the desired base price in the Price column.
  3. If necessary, enter discounts in the corresponding user groups.
  4. In the Taxes field, enter the tax rate valid for the country.
  5. Use the Currency drop-down list to select the currency.
  6. Click the Next Step button when you have made all the settings.
    You get to step 4. Schedule.
  1. Choose from the selection box Catalogs the catalog in which the product should be placed.
  2. Click the button Add behind.
  3. If necessary, limit the period during which the product should be active. The schedule for products allows you to set a start and end date for your product. Your product will then be displayed only in the selected period. You can define your own time period per selected catalog. This allows you, for example, to display a product for 4 weeks in the "Latest Products" catalog and for 2 years in the "Our Products" catalog. The product will be archived automatically when the end date is reached.
  4. Repeat this process if necessary.
  5. Click the button Next step when ready.
    You get to step 5. Summary.
  1. Check all the settings you have made.
  2. Click the Save & publish button if you want to save and publish the product.


After saving and publishing the product you get an overview with which you can edit the product and the catalog again.
  • The first column shows the corresponding catalog and the new product.
  • By clicking the icon in the column Display you can view either the corresponding catalog or the new product.
  • By clicking the icon in the column Edit you can edit either the corresponding catalog or the new product.

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2.2 Edit

  1. Click Products in the left navigation below Catalogs & Products.
  2. Use the drop-down list to select the catalog that contains the product you want to edit.
  3. Click the Display button.
    The product overview appears.
  4. Select the product you want to edit.
  5. Click either
    • on the Product name or
    • on the Edit icon in the Actions column.
  6. Make all the changes you want, q.v. 2.1 Add.
  7. Click the Save & publish button when you have made all the changes.
  1. A green success message appears.

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2.3 Translate

  1. In the navigation on the left, below Products click Overview.
  2. From the selection box choose the catalog which contains the product you want to translate.
  3. Click the button Display.
    You get to the product overview.
  4. Choose the product you want to translate.
  1. Click the icon Actions and select Translate.
    • To view the product page in a certain language, select the icon Actions and choose View.
    • To delete an existing translation, select the icon Actions and choose Delete.
    • If you want to edit an existing translation, select the icon Actions and choose Edit.
    • If you want to add a new translation, click the button Translate.
      • Enter in the field Name the translation of the product name.
      • Enter in the field Short Description the translation of the short description.
      • Enter in the field Long Description the translation of the long description.
        Note: Format the text via the WYSIWYG editor, if you don't know any HTML.
        By clicking the Button Source code of the WYSIWYG editor you get directly to the HTML source code where you can edit the HTML.
      • Click the button Save when ready.
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3. Settings

In this area you can make several settings.

3.1 Catalog

  1. Click the button Portal Manager to get to the administrative area.
  2. Then click Sales & Support > Products & Catalogs.
  3. In the navigation on the left, below Settings, click Catalog.
  4. Choose from the selectiob box Archive the catalog which should work as an archive.
  5. Click the button Save when ready.
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3.2 Product Templates

Here you can edit the product templatesfrom the area Tools & Administration > Design & Layout q.v. Support End User > Documentation > Tools & Administration > Design & Layout/3. Templates.

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3.3 Crosslinks

You can crosslink different products with each other.
  • In the navigation on the left, below Settings, click Crosslinks.
As far as crosslinks exist already you get to the following table:
  • Product Shows the first product.
  • Crosslinked products Shows the product crosslinked wit the first product.
  • In catalog Shows the base catalog of the first product.
To add a crosslink, please do the following:
  1. Click the tab Add.
  2. From the selection box Base Catalog choose the base catalog.
  3. Click the button Select.
  4. From the selection box Base Product choose the base product.
  5. Click the button Select.
  6. From the selection box Target Catalog choose the target catalog.
  7. Click the button Select.
  8. From the selection box Target Product choose the target product.
  9. Click the button Save.
Below the selection boxes appears an overview of crosslinked products. By clicking the product you get to the product. By clicking the icon Delete you can delete the crosslink.

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