MyStore3™ Database

The MyStore3™ built-in database is a powerful tool for organizing your store and presenting products to the customer in a dynamic and interesting way.

The MyStore3™ database consists of two parts: the category list, category_db.htm, and the product tables, the_category_name_db.htm. (In the Lite version there there is no category list since only one product category is supported.)

The category list is a navigation aid so your customer can quickly see what your store is all about. This is a list of the product categories within the store with text and optional image examples of some of the items in the category. This file is located in the main Database folder.

The product tables are separate lists of items within each category. Each line entry in a table, sometimes referred to as a record, defines an item using nine fields. The fields are:

NAMEDESCRIPTION
TYPEThis field requires a word or phrase that generically describes the item. It is generally more specific than category and less specific than description.
DESCThis is the product description field that the customer sees on a product list page. For search purposes it should have some of the TYPE field information. This field can contain HTML for linking and displaying a thumbnail image.
PRICEThis field is contains the base price of the item in decimal format with no currency symbol.
MAKERThe MAKER field is reserved for future use. It can be left empty.
PIDThe product identification field. This field usually contains an in-house product code.
STATESTATE is another reserved field for future use. It can be left empty.
SPECIALThe SPECIAL field is used to activate what are called switches in the processing code. It is comprised of three characters; the default value is 'nnn'. A first character of 'w' switches the shipping computation to use the item weight. If the first character is a number, shipping costs will be a fixed amount per item. A second letter 't' switches the tax computation to using the item tax rate. The third letter switches on a pop up window with a document having the letter as the file name. See "messaging" under Detail Info on the right for more on creating messages for this pop up window.
ITMWTThis field is for specifying the item shipping weight in pounds in decimal format when there is a 'w' in the SPECIAL field.
ITMTAXThis field is for specifying the item tax rate in decimal format when there is a 't' in the SPECIAL field.
NOTE:
Product table files are located in category sub folders of the main Database folder.

Before beginning the setup of your database, you should consider how the organization will appeal to the customer and how easy it will be to find a product. At this point, it would be a good idea to review the "user interface" page under Operation on your right. A brief review of how items can be viewed follows.

Clicking a Category link from the Browse page returns a list of products within the category, sorted and separated on the page by product TYPE.
Clicking a '?' link from a TYPE list returns a product TYPE page displaying a list of all of the items of that type within the category.
Clicking an imbedded link from a product list page returns a product DETAIL page displaying a list of all of the items of the same or similar descriptions.
Clicking Search returns an entry form where your customer can select a category to search and enter keywords separated by commas. The search will return multiple lists of products within the product category, separated according to each keyword. The search is performed on the DESCRIPTION field.

Understanding these search capabilities is essential to structuring your database and providing your customer with multiple opportunities to discover your products. For instance, since a search is performed on the DESCRIPTION field, it is a good idea to include a brief TYPE phrase in this field. IE: where TYPE = shirts, DESCRIPTION = tee shirt...etc.

Categories are logical constructs! They are not just product types!

Use your ImagineNation to invent categories. IE: "on sale this week", "discontinued items", "for the gourmet", "hard to find stuff", etc.

Product types on the other hand are usually pre defined and well understood. IE: saws, computers, rocks, etc. and may in fact be your best choice for a category depending on the store.
NOTE: Items within a category (table) are automatically sorted according to the entry in the TYPE field for that item. All items of the same type are grouped together on a product list page. If you have a long list of the same item types, try breaking it up into multiple types for easier viewing by the customer.

IE: If there are 50 TYPE = rocks in the table, see if the type can be refined. IE: TYPE = big rocks, TYPE = medium rocks, TYPE = little rocks. This will cause the database reader to display your rocks in three separate lists making it easier for customer viewing and selection.

Think about your customer and how they might perceive of your products and what words they'll likely use. Don't be afraid to enter the same item in more than one table and even as more than one type. For instance, in a computer store that sells computer systems and also just modems, allow the customer to "build" their own computer as well a just buy a modem.

Create a category table called "midday.htm". Within that category there may be several modem types, plug-in, stand alone, PCMCIA, etc. List all the types you have available. This table is just for selling modems.

To sell computers that your customer builds, create another category table called "buildcomputer_db.htm". Within this table you'll have various types of items all of which are compatible to the main computer type including the compatible modems.

Only the modems compatible to the listed computers are represented. When your customer elects to build a computer, they'll return nicely grouped listings of the available computers with each compatible accessory type in it's own table, all on a single page.

Don't bloat a table with customer specific entries! Use a pop up window form.

A pop up window form can be associated with any or all items in a table to gather customer specific requirements on the item or to select options related to the item. There can be as many different forms as needed. The form also allows you to dynamically price the item by adding a charge where the option warrants. (Note: Dynamic pricing is not supported in the Lite version of MyStore3.)

This, usually small, window opens with an input form when a customer selects an item to place in the shopping basket. You can have any text, an image, and any number of form elements and types in the document. View the "messaging" page under Details on your right for more information.

Do not think of the MyStore3 built-in database as an inventory database. This database is your sales tool! Lets say you have an inventory list of slacks in your clothing store. Do you really want the customer to have to browse and find their specific waist size, leg length, and color choice from a long list of items? Instead use a pop up window form with select menus to gather the specifics. This technique keeps the main listing page simple with easy to find entries.

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