Customers can't find "Donwloads" area

[emcdermon]

Jamie:

I'm need some help on a consistent and annoying issue for new customers visiting a website offering downloads with Squirrelcart.

Thie website I'm working on http://www.Digital-Preserves.com/ is offering a free animated video background for new accounts. To date, essentially 100% of new users on the website are unable to get their free download because they can't find the "Downloads" module link in the Account Options area.

In test orders, the rules appear to be working consistently to present the test orders into their download account, but my client and I are having to jump through hoops to educate customers on how to find the "Downloads" area's basically invisible link in the lower left hand corner of the website.

Right now this means that I or my client are having to send extra e-mails to tell the new client where to find the download, the new visitor is annoyed that they didn't get their download immediately, and we're getting some posts now in my customer's Support Forum concerning this issue.

I think you should consider a modification to the Downloads module that sends a link back to the e-mail address that leads the customer to their download section once the download has been delivered. Something on the order of "Your download is available and ready for delivery" that is seen basically everywhere else on the Internet concerning purchases of downloadable material. My personal belief is that this has evolved to an industry standard.

The e-mail link should let the customer click on it, take them to a login screen, and once they login, land them in the Downloads area of their Squirrelcart Account. I'm not sure how to do this, but can we get this implented with some custom code or the like? Or is there a hidden feature in the Downloads module that already does this?

If not, it would probably be a very good "New Feature" for the next Download Module release!

We're trying some modifications to the shopping cart such as screenshots, a couple of additional help links, etc. but this would be really helpful if you could look at this and offer some suggestions or recommendations on this.

I'll pay for a Support incident if needed for you to look at this.

Ernest McDermon
Snellville, GA

[emcdermon]

Jamie:

I've been searching the Forums and think I've found a possible fix.

The thanks_for_order.tpl.php template allows us to change the text at the top of the print receipt page. Here's what I've changed to:

<!-- Template: thanks_for_order -->
<div class="cart_info_msg" style="margin-bottom: 10px">
<img src="<?=$Balloon_Img?>" style="vertical-align: middle" /> Thanks for your order! Please print this page for your records. To retrieve your Download Animations, go to <b><a href="https://www.digital-preserves.com/shop/index.php?downloads=1" target="_top">Downloads</a></b>.
</div>

I just tested this and it immediately takes the logged in user to the Downloads section where they can see their files. The "Downloads" link is very visible and should stand out to new users.

Is there a better way to code this link? Could it just dynamically change the contents of the center column to the downloads area content and not reload the page?

If so, how would that be called from this template?

Ernest McDermon
Snellville, GA

[Jamie]

Is there a better way to code this link? Could it just dynamically change the contents of the center column to the downloads area content and not reload the page?

We have no support for that.

[jonbius]

Hi Jamie,

This thread addresses a question I had regarding a cart we maintain for a customer at https://www.djcheer.com/cart/.

They've let us know that while customers are having no problems purchasing the downloads, they aren't making the connection to look for the Downloads link in the left nav after their purchase. I've advised the customer to add that information to the product description, but I'd like to also ad a text link to let alert folks to the Downloads link.

I did not see the thanks_for_order.tpl.php listed above. I was not sure if I have missed it, or if it has changed in newer versions.

The cart for my customer is version 3.2.2.

Where can I add a line of text to help customers find the Downloads area? Or, if there is a way of directing them there through the management area, please help me find that.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Regards,

Jon

[Jamie]

Hi Jon,

The template file for that in version 3 is checkout_done.tpl.php. I'd recommend changing this:

<div class="checkout_done">
    <?php print $Extra_HTML ?>
    
    <?php print $Order_Detail ?>
</div>

to this:

<div class="checkout_done">
    <?php print $Extra_HTML ?>
    <div class="sc_form">
        <div class="boxc">
            <fieldset>
                <h3>Download Instructions</h3>
                If you purchased one or more downloads, please visit the <a href="<?php print SC_STORE_PAGE_HTTP ?>?downloads=1">Downloads page</a> to download.
            </fieldset>
            <!--  below is for rounded corners -->
            <b class="cn tr"></b><b class="cn br"></b><b class="cn tl"></b><b class="cn bl"></b>
        </div>
    </div>    
    <?php print $Order_Detail ?>
</div>

Instructions for modifying template files can be found here if needed:
http://www.squirrelcart.com/help/?Mo...Templates.html

[jonbius]

Thanks Jamie- that's perfect. Just what I needed!