Using ProductCart - Can Product just be a Link?

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Can Product just be a Link?

Printed From: ProductCart E-Commerce Solutions
Category: ProductCart
Forum Name: Using ProductCart
Forum Description: Running your store with ProductCart
URL: https://forum.productcart.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5377
Printed Date: 10-March-2025 at 3:39am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Can Product just be a Link?

Posted By: l.Breen
Subject: Can Product just be a Link?
Date Posted: 14-December-2012 at 9:34am

Every once in a while I'd to place a thumbnail into a category that linked somewhere (not to a product listing).
Most often the link would be a product cart PAGE that might have frequently asked questions, or it could be a link to a different category in our store...
While using a "Product" to create a FAQ might be helpful (this is how I currently solve the problem), I would be better served having control over the link and being able to send the click somewhere else.
Has anybody done this?

Thanks,
Luke

calhouncycle.com

Replies:

Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 14-December-2012 at 2:35pm

Do you mean something like this page on your site?
http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/Brompton-US-Championship-Race-2012-126p3155.htm" rel="nofollow - http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/Brompton-US-Championship-Race-2012-126p3155.htm

So you'd like the link to the from its category page to go to something else rather than a product page, is that it?

This could be done very simply with the use of ISAPI_Rewrite or URL Rewrite extension for IIS.

Posted By: l.Breen
Date Posted: 14-December-2012 at 3:28pm

Hi Sean,
Yes, That is an example of using a product page to pass along information. In that case the item had been a registration for an event and after the event we were getting a lot of hits coming into it (from other sites linking +), so after the event we hijacked it as an opportunity to market, blah, blah...
The more I look at it the more challenged I am.
Here's an example in which I wish the subcategory "24" Wheel *FAQ•" could be a link:

http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/24-inch-c217.htm

When I add the FAQ as a product mixed with categories I end up getting this page, which isn't very appealing:

http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/16-inch-c221.htm

Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 14-December-2012 at 3:58pm

I guess I'm not real clear on what you are trying to accomplish.

You do or do not want these kinds of pages interspersed with actual products on category pages? Or as subcategories on category pages? That seems to me like rather confusing navigation.

Is there any reason not to build content pages for this sort of thing and make the links to them in the category description area?

Posted By: l.Breen
Date Posted: 14-December-2012 at 4:56pm

So currently I'm working on a category page. There are just 2 categories on it and I'd like to add a 3rd thumbnail that would have the same look as the 2 "actual" categories, but when clicked on, you'd end up on a Product Cart PAGE (content page, right?).
I didn't know that I could add links to the description for a category. That is pretty nice, but ideally I'd not make people click twice to get to this content page.
I think I'm learning that I cannot do that, right?
Thank You,
Luke

Posted By: Greg Dinger
Date Posted: 14-December-2012 at 6:26pm

We made alterations to the category admin for another client which would largely accomplish what you are asking for. In their case, they have a vendor who provides a site that carries part of their products, and that site is tailored to look exactly like their PC store. We added a field to the category admin which is used to capture a URL. When that field is filled in, the category page will substitute the "stock link" for the revised link, and thus allows them to point certain categories out to this second site. In your case, the extra URL could be used to point to your product page.

-------------
GreyBeard Design Group

Certified ProductCart Developer

Web Design/Development/Hosting

http://tinyurl.com/5c8t4t" rel="nofollow - Add-Ons & Custom Code |

Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 14-December-2012 at 7:31pm

Hi Luke,

What version of IIS is your server running? If 7 or better then it should have the URL Rewrite extension. With that you could redirect (301) the category URLs to the content page you want to take them to. You do this through your web.config file.

If an older server, then maybe there's a chance it's running ISAPI_Rewrite?

If neither of those are an option, or you'd just rather have a super simple way to do it through the control panel, then it would require a customize as Greg describes.

Posted By: l.Breen
Date Posted: 14-December-2012 at 11:14pm

So there's a bit of hope after all.
Thanks for the replies.
The server is running IIS 6, but the live chat person thought that if I put in a request I will likely get the update because it looks like my plan should be IIS 7.
I put in my request and should find out soon.
If that doesn't fly, then teh custom configuration probably makes sense as the more I work this through in my head, the more opportunities I see to use the redirect to my benefit.
Thank You,
Luke

Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 17-December-2012 at 2:17pm

There's always hope, Luke ;-)

Make sure that they have the URL Redirect extension plugged into IIS 7. It's a free snapp-in, but doesn't come loaded by default.

Once that is in place, then you can easily handle 301 redirects through the web.config file in your web root (at least, that's where it would normally reside).

When you get to that point, let me know if you need help with the syntax.

Posted By: l.Breen
Date Posted: 17-December-2012 at 2:50pm

Hi Sean,
Thanks for the encouragement.
I'll let you know if there are troubles that I need help with.
Much appreciated,
Luke