You can customize your own web page to add items to the shopping cart system in PDshop. There are two ways to accomplish this. You can use the form "post" method, or you can use an http link. The required fields to add an item are "itemid", "task", and "qty"

"itemid"
The item id is the unique id number the database assigns when you add a new item to the system. It is not the same as the item number. You can locate this id number by hovering over any link to the item. Example: "../shop/item.asp?itemid=5" In this example, the itemid is 5.

"task"
The task should always be "addnew".

"qty"
The qty, or quantity, must be a number greater than zero.


Example of the Form post method: (insert HTML similar to this into your existing site)
<form method="post" action="../shop/showcart.asp">
<input type="hidden" name="itemid" value="1">
<input type="hidden" name="task" value="addnew">
<input type="hidden" name="qty" value="1">
<input type="submit" value="Add to Cart" name="submit">
</form>

Example of the link method, your link should look something like this:
http://yoursite.com/shop/showcart.asp?itemid=1&task=addnew&qty=1

YES. The menu and section colors schemes, as well as button colors can be changed from within PDAdmin (which is included). You can also use the built-in HTML editor to add customized elements, such as graphics, images, text, etc. to the different sections/pages of the storefront.

YES. Most menu buttons and most section headings can be modified from within PDAdmin. For example, you could rename the "Categories" heading and menu button to something like "Departments".

YES. The .Net Editions are specifically designed for this. They are template based, so there is a central template file (an plain HTML file), that you can easily modify or integrate your existing design into.

YES. For layout/design changes, you could use any HTML editor such as Microsoft's FrontPage, Expression Web, or others like Dreamweaver, Visual Web Developer/Studio, etc.

The .NET Editions of PDshop are HTML template based, so you can easily make changes to the entire layout, with NO need for knowledge of ASP, ASP.NET, etc. There is a central HTML template file for all your HTML changes.

If you prefer Classic ASP, the classic ASP editions are broken down into sections. For example, you could edit the "top.asp" file and this would change the top/menu section of the entire store. Some very basic knowledge of ASP/HTML might be necessary depending on the magnitude of the changes.

YES. Each item in your storefront can have it's own set of selectable options. Item options can also be configured to automatically make price adjustments, as well as recalculate the weight (for shipping charges). The .Net Advanced edition includes the best "item option" capability, such as user input (Text Boxes), etc.

The .Net Editions of PDshop are template based. This means there is a central file(s) that contains the basic design elements (including HTML, CSS, Javascript and other design related code). In PDshop .Net you can easily change the design, the look and feel, of all the shop pages by editing one file, the "template.htm" file located in your "shop" folder. This file serves as the master HTML document for the entire shop, making it unnecessary to to edit any of the .aspx files (you only need to know HTML basics).

If you already have a design in mind, have an HTML template you purchased, or your web designer provided you with code, you can easily incorporate your template/design into PDshop. By opening and editing the template.htm file and the sub template files, with your own HTML editor you can add, remove, or change any of the HTML, CSS styles, or other code.

For elements like buttons, section headings, and some backgrounds, you may want to also use PDAdmin's design tools (see "Buttons", "Headings", "Default Colors", "Page Layout", and "Page Content" in PDAdmin).

NOTE: For many designs it is not even necessary to modify the template, you may be able to use the design controls built into PDAdmin, to change colors, styles, etc, and you can even insert your own HTML code right into the different sections of the shop (see "Page Content"). Using PDshop's "Plain Text/Raw HTML" editor you can insert any code you want, pretty much anywhere.

** We recommend customizing the shop pages using PDAdmin first, before modifying the template files. By doing this, you should be able to achieve any design.

YES. The .NET Advanced edition includes a built in Import tool. You can import from Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, using nothing more than your web browser.

Also, since PDshop uses a Microsoft Database to store all data, you can use any Microsoft Import/Export Tools or Wizards to manipulate the data in the database.

The .Net Advanced edition includes a built in Export utility - you can easily download customer & order related data in common CSV or Tab Delimited formats. For example, you can open the exported data files using Microsoft Excel.

All editions of PDshop support Microsoft Access (MSAccess) and Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL). PDshop comes with a pre-configured MSAccess database that is ready to use. If you choose to use PDshop with an MSSQL database, the download includes MSSQL setup utilities & instructions.

YES. While we provide online help and step by step installation guides, we also offer an inexpensive Installation service for those not familiar with uploading web pages or web servers.

YES. When you purchase any edition of PDshop you are entitled to 1 full year of free email technical support. If at anytime you need assistance or have questions, simply click "Contact Us" from anywhere on our website to initiate a trouble ticket. Our programmers and support reps are available to troubleshoot any problems and answer any questions you might have. In addition, we also offer an installation service as well as other advanced support services.

PDshop installation is very similar to publishing HTML web pages. Our software is not much more than ASP or ASPX scripts (".asp" or ".aspx" pages). You do not need to install any components, there are no setup programs to run, nor do you have to register any DLL's. Installation can be as simple as uploading some files to your web server or host.

What's an "Update"?
An update (also known as a revision) is a revised or updated version of the software you already have. When you download and install an update, you are essentially still using the same software version you purchased, it's just an updated copy of that software. Updates are generally free for one year from date of purchase of original download, and often include enhancements, fixes, security changes, and even new features.

What's an "Upgrade"?
An upgrade is a specially priced offer allowing you to purchase and install a different software version. For example, if a new version of software comes out that is compatible with your existing software version, instead of paying the full price for the new software, you may qualify for a special upgrade price. Basically, a discount if you upgrade to the new software version. An upgrade should not be confused with a free update. In general, updates are free but upgrades are not.

What version do I have?
PDshop versions often are referred to by their formal names, instead of version numbers. Version names can help people to distinguish the differences between versions better and quicker at first glance. Below is a summary of the different PDshop versions and their formal names.

Classic ASP/VBscript Versions:
PDshop "Standard Edition" is Version 2 (this is also known as PDshopPro)
PDshop "Plus Edition" is Version 3
PDshop "Advanced Edition" is Version 4
PDshop "Classic ASP Edition" is Version 5

ASP.NET Versions:
PDshop ".Net Edition" is Version 1 (this version is also referred to as the "original .Net")
PDshop ".Net Standard Edition" is Version 6
PDshop ".Net Advanced Edition" is Version 7
PDshop ".Net Version 8" is Version 8 (obviously)

To find out what version you are using, in your Admin navigate to the "Database Tools" or "DB Tools" page, and in most cases the Version name and Version number are shown.

YES. The web administrator (PDAdmin), which is included with all editions, allows you to customize the regional settings. You can easily change the currency, date, and number formatting to fit your location.

PDshop include built-in language controls, so you can translate all text you see into other languages (any language) using the web admin! All currencies are also supported.

YES. You can modify the gateway scripts/files to accommodate just about any payment processing system. Using PDshop's Custom Gateway feature, integrating with other processors is always possible.

Most Internet payment gateways provide an integration guide, which gives you step by step instructions (some basic HTML/ASP knowledge may be needed).

NO. You can use any of the payment gateways that PDshop supports, and many, like PayPal and 2CO, do not require a merchant account and you can start accepting payments immediately.

YES. PDshop can be set to capture payment details, and store it so that you can process it on your own later (using your own merchant tools).

YES. PDshop does not rely on any "gateway software" for gateway connections (it uses components already built into most Windows web servers). Your web host does not need to install any software for these gateway scripts to work.

YES. PDshop .Net Advanced and the Classic ASP edition both support products that are downloaded (rather than shipped), or that simply don't require shipping.

YES. The .NET Advanced edition includes a built in Import tool. You can import from Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, using nothing more than your web browser.

Also, since PDshop uses a Microsoft Database to store all data, you can use any Microsoft Import/Export Tools or Wizards to manipulate the data in the database.

The .Net Advanced edition includes a built in Export utility - you can easily download customer & order related data in common CSV or Tab Delimited formats. For example, you can open the exported data files using Microsoft Excel.

YES. Each item in your storefront can have it's own set of selectable options. Item options can also be configured to automatically make price adjustments, as well as recalculate the weight (for shipping charges). The .Net Advanced edition includes the best "item option" capability, such as user input (Text Boxes), etc.

NO. When you purchase PDshop, you receive the "software" and a license for one storefront/website. You install PDshop on the server or web host of your choice, so we do not charge you any monthly fees.

YES. You can make changes to much of the code to further enhance your online storefront. This allows you to customize the application to better fit your needs.

The ASP.NET editions consists mostly of .aspx scripts that you can alter and edit (just like our classic ASP edition).

For ASP/ASP.NET code changes, you can edit the actual scripts as needed.

For HTML changes (design related), you can simply use the HTML template system, built into the .NET editions (the Classic ASP edition uses "include" files).

NOTE: You are bound by the Terms & Conditions of the software license agreement. All copies of the software, including modified versions, must be licensed. The asp.net editions include a single DLL file, you cannot change this one file, however in most cases this would not affect your customization, by altering the .aspx scripts you can easily change functionality to fit any need.

Before purchasing PDshop, you can "Test Drive" it using the Live, working Demos. PDshop is not available as a "Trial" download, since the download itself includes proprietary code and other valuable tools.

The PDshop download includes one (1) license, for your first site/storefront.

If you plan to setup additional shop(s), you certainly can. All you need to do is purchase an additional license. Additional licenses are sold separately, at a significantly reduced price (you do not have to purchase the download at full price again).