Zen Cart Free Shopping Cart Features

Zen Cart is a free shopping cart solution built off of the osCommerce framework. This PHP based open source shopping cart runs on a MYSQL database, so merchants using this free cart often have PHP and development skills or work with a developer to get their online store up and running. Zen Cart can be implemented into an existing website or can be used to create a full featured online store. Because Zen Cart requires development knowledge, merchants prefer to work with a hosting company like Dreamhost or Just Host, who provide an easy one-click install of Zen Cart for free. Learn about the features available with this free shopping cart solution in the Zen Cart features list below.

Easy Installation

• checks the database and server for requirements before installing
• installs using a built-in installation tool
• prepopulates the basic store information
• optional demo products

Global E-Commerce Ready

• multiple language support
• multiple tax support
• multiple shipping methods
• multiple currency support
• multiple payment methods

Customer Status Modes

• unrestricted shopping
• must register to view prices
• must register to view prices and merchandise
• showroom only

Catalog Status Modes

• showcase mode without prices
• showcase mode with prices
• normal shopping mode
• down for maintenance mode

Categories and Products

• unlimited category depth
• physical merchandise
• downloadable virtual products
• products can reside in multiple categories
• product options as dropdowns, radio buttons, checkboxes, and text input

Customer Retention Tools

• periodic newsletter in plain text or HTML
• order status emails and records in the customer account
• referral tools
• gift certificates

Promotions, Sales and Discounts

• individual special prices
• global sale reductions
• category-wide sale prices
• discount coupons
• customer group discounts
• quantity discounts
• one-time charges
• minimum and maximum purchases per product
• prices by attributes

Powerful Administration Tool

• configure your minimum and maximum values, image sizes and customer details
• choose which layout settings to use for the spotlight listings
• pick which details to show on your product details page
• edit your policies pages with HTML (if desired)
• add, delete, move, link or copy your products
• create and manage your product attributes
• manage product reviews, featured products, specials and storewide sales
• shipping and payment module installation and management
• price and taxation control
• banner advertising controls
• newsletter creation and sending
• content management tool, easily add new content pages

Fully Customizable Catalog Templates

• XHTML 1.0 compliant - nearly table-less layout
• change the colors, fonts and many graphics using Cascading Stylesheets
• add, move, remove sideboxes via the Admin Tool
• template overrides that do not get overwritten during upgrades
• override functionality without having to learn PHP
• create as many different looks as you would like and choose them from the admin