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Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What is IdeaStarter Pro ?

IdeaStarter Pro is a PHP4 / PHP5 + MySQL-based secure shopping cart software with support for Smarty Templates technology.

2. Does IdeaStarter Pro support PayPal ?

Yes, IdeaStarter Pro does support PayPal.

3. What is the difference between the GOLD and the PRO packages ?

IdeaStarter Pro GOLD package is designed for small and medium internet stores. It allows you to run store with unlimited number of categories and products. In GOLD all administrators have the same access level to data and configuration settings of the e-store. The PRO package has all of the advantages of the GOLD package, but it is designed for medium or large internet stores and online malls with joint catalog. The PRO package is created to allow several different sellers sharing a web store to sell products. Also, PRO allows having separate accounts for store's personnel with restricted access to administration section. GOLD does not allow that.

4. What is the difference between IdeaStarter Pro and LiteCommerce (www.litecommerce.com) ? Which one is better ?

The primary difference between them is that LiteCommerce (unlike IdeaStarter Pro) is object-oriented and module based. There are a lot of other differences between them. In fact, LiteCommerce and IdeaStarter Pro are based on 100% different shopping cart engines (though both carts are developed by the same company). Both products are optimized for needs of ecommerce customers, but they target slightly different auditory. By now, IdeaStarter Pro has much more features than LiteCommerce and costs more. However, LiteCommerce is expandable using modules and is much easier to use than IdeaStarter Pro. LiteCommerce also uses more user-friendly template system, which allows LiteCommerce users to modify look & feel of the cart by using WYSIWYG HTML editors.

5. Can I purchase installation and/or customization services AFTER ordering IdeaStarter Pro ?

If you have purchased IdeaStarter Pro without ordering additional services, you can always purchase the services later.

6. Which payment gateways does IdeaStarter Pro support ?

IdeaStarter Pro is integrated with more than 100 payment gateways.

7. I already have a merchant account. Is it possible to use it with IdeaStarter Pro ?

Yes, it is possible. Please contact us for more details.

8. Can I incorporate this software into my existing website ?

Yes you can. IdeaStarter Pro can be easily integrated with any look and layout. Contact us if you need more details.

9. I want to keep the same 'look' through the whole website. Is it possible to integrate IdeaStarter Pro with my look and feel ?

IdeaStarter Pro is based on PHP Smarty templates that can be edited to alter IdeaStarter Pro's look in any way. IdeaStarter Pro has a built-in templates editor which allows you to easily edit the templates.

10. If I purchase one IdeaStarter Pro package, can I set it up at more than one website ?

No, this is not possible. You will need to purchase a license for each site you build with IdeaStarter Pro. You'll get a significant discount on all IdeaStarter Pro licenses purchased after the first one.

11. What service package would I need from Authorize.NET to use their credit card processing services in IdeaStarter Pro ?

IdeaStarter Pro is integrated with Authorize.net by means of AIM (Advanced Integration Method) and SIM (Simple Integration Method). SIM is supported by IdeaStarter Pro 3.5.0 or higher version.

12. After issuing payment, how soon do I get IdeaStarter Pro ?

If you order the Gold or the Pro package, you get the code in 24h after ordering (this rule does not apply to weekends). If you order the Gold + Instant or the Pro + Instant package and your server is PHP- and MySQL- -capable, you get IdeaStarter Pro installed in 24h after ordering IdeaStarter Pro and sending us server information. If you order the Customized package, the exact delivery deadline depends on the amount of requested custom changes.

13. If I purchase the GOLD package, is it possible to upgrade to the PRO package later ?

Yes, this is possible. The price of your original package will be subtracted from the price of the Pro package.

14. Will IdeaStarter Pro run well on web server with PHP5 ?

Yes, absolutely.

15. Is it possible to run IdeaStarter Pro with "safe_mode" PHP configuration variable turned on?

The "safe_mode" disables several important PHP commands, including input/output functions and file upload support. This makes it virtually impossible to run a complex ecommerce software like IdeaStarter Pro. Our shopping cart software needs input/output functions in order to read the template files, needs file upload functions in order to handle product image uploads. By default, "safe_mode" is turned off on all PHP installations. IdeaStarter Pro is compatible with all default PHP configurations and most of non-default PHP configurations.

16. Do I need to be an experienced developer in order to install IdeaStarter Pro myself ? Do I need HTML knowledge ? Do I need PHP knowledge ?

IdeaStarter Pro is very easy to install, all you need is to unpack the distribution, then open install.php with your web-browser. Our install.php wizard will do the installation for you. You don't have to know HTML and PHP. PHP knowledge is only required if you want to modify the source code of the cart. HTML knowledge is only required if you want to modify the look of the cart.

17. Do I need to have administrator (root) access rights to server in order to install IdeaStarter Pro ?

Administrator rights are not required.

18. Is it possible to remove IdeaStarter Pro logo from my shopping cart pages ?

Yes, feel free to do this. IdeaStarter Pro's built in template editor allows you to alter the look of the shopping cart in any way you want.

19. What is the difference between provider and admin interfaces ?

There are three different interfaces: the first is the customer interface (the shop), the second is the provider interface and the third is the admin interface. Admin interface is created for shop owners. The admin interface can be used to configure and control the store. Unlike the admin interface, provider interface can be accessed by several _different_ product providers. Each of them can add/modify/delete their own products and keep track of their own orders. For example, you can have one provider who sells TVs and another one who sells DVD Players - in that case each of them will be able to control their products and orders, but all of the products will appear in the same shop. The multi-provider concept is only available in Mall ("Pro") edition. Gold edition has only one provider account, and one provider controls all products in the store. For your convenience, admin and provider interfaces are joined in the Gold edition (because usually store owner and product provider are the same persons in non-mall mode).

20. I see that the demo site uses a list of U.S states. We are located outside the U.S., how easy is it to change the list of states to match our provinces/regions ?

You can easily change the list of states/provinces by using the IdeaStarter Pro Admin Interface.

21. There are so many hosting services over the Internet so I find it difficult to choose which one to use. Can you recommend some hosting services that are fully compatible with IdeaStarter Pro?

Please have a look at the list of Recommended Webhosting Companies.

22. I have several different domain names pointing to the same site. Do I need to purchase several licenses ?

If you have several different domain names pointing to the same site with the same content, 1 license will be enough.

23. What is PHP ? What is PHP 4 ?

PHP (http://www.php.net) is a popular server-side scripting language distributed for free. PHP is de-facto standard for modern web hostings. Most of web hostings support PHP. PHP4 stands for "PHP version 4". Most of web hostings support PHP version 4. You can contact your ISP in order to make sure they support PHP4. IdeaStarter Pro is written in PHP4 server-side scripting language. This makes IdeaStarter Pro highly portable and customizable.

24. What is MySQL ?

MySQL (http://www.mysql.com/) is an open-source robust SQL database engine. IdeaStarter Pro uses it to store product information. Most of web hostings support MySQL. You can contact your ISP / web hosting in order to make sure that they have support for MySQL databases.

25. What is Smarty ?

Smarty is a free open-source template engine written in PHP. In fact, Smarty is one of the best template engines available. IdeaStarter Pro uses it to provide IdeaStarter Pro Store Owners with access to unlimited customization of look and layout. You can get more information on Smarty at the following URL: http://smarty.php.net/faq.php

26. My credit card processing gateway is not present in the list of supported gateways. What can I do to make IdeaStarter Pro support my CC processing gateway ?

Contact us and we will handle the integration for you.

27. Is it possible to make IdeaStarter Pro forward users to secure (HTTPS/SSL) URL when they come to the checkout page ?

Yes, this can be easily done with IdeaStarter Pro.

28. Is it possible to change the currency/weight symbol ?

Yes, you can define currency/weight symbols in the administration section under "General settings" menu.

29. Once I decide to purchase IdeaStarter Pro, how do I get it ?

You will receive access to our Helpdesk. There is a "Files" section which holds the latest releases of IdeaStarter Pro, this will allow you to have direct access to all future releases of IdeaStarter Pro.

30. What are the system requirements for IdeaStarter Pro ?

IdeaStarter Pro is tested on FreeBSD, Linux, Win2000/NT and MacOS X servers running Apache and IIS web servers. IdeaStarter Pro requires PHP and MySQL installed. To get more details please see System requirements page.

31. Is it possible to add options to my products (ie. sizes ,colors, etc. other) ?

Yes, you can add unlimited number of product options to any of your products. Supported product option types are drop-down options and text area options. Drop-down options can be assigned a price modifier (flat-fee or percent of original product cost). Text area options can be used to allow your customers to add text information with their order. For example, they can add a text they want to be engraved on their gift.

32. Does IdeaStarter Pro allow sale of e-goods? In other words is software sold for download only (no shipping) ?

Yes, this feature is supported by IdeaStarter Pro. After the payment is processed the system generates a download URL and mails it to the customer. The URL is unique for each order and it is valid for a limited time.

33. Does IdeaStarter Pro support sub-categories ?

Yes, it does support unlimited levels of sub-categories.

34. Can I use Microsoft FrontPage / Macromedia Dreamweaver to edit my IdeaStarter Pro pages ?

No it's impossible. You will need HTML knowledge to edit IdeaStarter Pro templates. The templates can be edited using the built-in template editor. However, you can create your design in any editor, then integrate the resulting HTML code with IdeaStarter Pro or just ask us to perform the design integration. However if FrontPage/Dreamweaver support is a vital requirement, then you should have a look at LiteCommerce (another product offered by our company), which is optimized for WYSIWYG editors.

35. How many stores can I build? What does IdeaStarter Pro license grants?

IdeaStarter Pro Gold/Pro license grants using one copy of IdeaStarter Pro Gold/Pro for one store.

One store is a store having the same look'n'feel and using the same database of products/customers/whatever. It means you can have several URLs referring to the same store, but you can't run more than one store having one license. If you need to run several stores you have to purchase appropriate number of licenses. We offer discounted prices for additional licenses you purchase.

The above means:
If you are a web developer or a reseller and want to deploy IdeaStarter Pro stores for your clients you need to obtain a license for each store of your clients. You will have unlimited access to all new releases of IdeaStarter Pro (Gold or Pro according to license you have). You can install a copy of IdeaStarter Pro in local environment that does not have a permanent connection to Internet for development and testing purposes. We do understand that you need to do a lot of other work before going live. That's why we allow such unlicensed installations. Otherwise, IdeaStarter Pro installation must be licensed.

36. I will be developing my site at one URL then moving it to another when we go live. Can I assume that we will be able to change the URL under the same license?

Yes, this is possible. You will need to mail us your new URL and remove the software from your old URL.

37. Can I integrate my existing database with IdeaStarter Pro ?

You can modify the source code of IdeaStarter Pro to integrate it with any database. However, IdeaStarter Pro is a very complex software which consists of more than 200 PHP files. We recommend you converting your current database to IdeaStarter Pro format. This can be done by using the import feature of IdeaStarter Pro. We can also create a custom conversion tool for your database. This kind of service costs from $50. You can contact us for more details.

38. What are the "Installation Services" for IdeaStarter Pro ?

Read more about installation service.

39. I like your demo. Is this how the cart looks before any customization ?

After you install IdeaStarter Pro on your server, the cart will look exactly as the demo.

40. Which platform do you recommend for installing IdeaStarter Pro (UNIX/Linux/Windows) ?

We recommend you choosing a UNIX/Linux server.

41. My products need to have a larger picture in addition to the thumbnail. Does IdeaStarter Pro support both thumbnails and larger pictures ?

With IdeaStarter Pro, every product can have one thumbnail and unlimited number of additional product images.

42. Do you have any examples of websites that use your product?

Sure. Please check the list of featured clients.

43. I want to process orders off-line. Is it possible to have the cart email order information to me ?

Yes, the cart can send order information by e-mail. It is also possible to configure the cart to make it PGP-encrypt the e-mails. You can also just log in to the admin area using secure HTTPS/SSL connection and access the order information using your web browser.

44. Does IdeaStarter Pro support different pricing levels for different user groups ?

Yes, the shopping cart software does support different pricing levels for different user groups. You can have unlimited number of customer groups. You can assign a group to a customer, then define custom pricing for each customer group.

45. What is the "Instant package" for IdeaStarter Pro ?

'Instant package' includes full installation of IdeaStarter Pro to your host and 50 extra free support points.

46. Is it allowed to setup and test the software on my local computer before uploading to server?

Actually IdeaStarter Pro license forbids running IdeaStarter Pro on unregistered URL, but anyway we allow to setup the software on your local computer if the software is not used for commercial purposes and your local website is not available for public visitors.

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