• NOTE: Do not use : in your item names! They will not work correctly, as that character is needed for the Mals cart to work properly.

• To add a new item, just click the "Add" button under the Items.

• To edit a item, select an item from the drop-down box and click "Edit".

• To delete a item, select an item from the drop-down box and click "Delete". When the system asks you if you are sure you want to delete the item, select "Yes". Your item has been deleted.

• There are three pages of information for each item:

  • Page 1: "Add" or "Edit" your product information

  • Page 2: Add your options and attributes if desired.

  • Page 3: Add related items and/or inventory quantities if desired.

  

• Add the Item Name, Description, and some Keywords if desired. The keywords will not display on the catalog page, but they will be used when a customer performs a keyword search.

• If you want a small "thumbnail" image, set the image URL in the Thumbnail URL field, or use the upload button to load a graphic from your web site. For more information click here.

• Add a Catalog # 

• Add a Regular Price if you aren't planning on listing price information in the first product option. To mark an item as a sale item, simply enter a Sale Price - it will be displayed in red on the catalog page, and the original price will be crossed out.

• Set the Out of Stock field to "Yes" if you want to show an item on the catalog to draw interest, but don't wish to allow customers to order that item.

• To take an item off the catalog page, yet keep the information in storage for a later date, change Active Item to "No". This is useful for holiday items or special offers that are presented periodically, etc.

• You may add up to 5 categories to each product. However, you do not need to add all five categories. If you do not include at least one category, the product will not be visible through category searches on the catalog page, though it will still be seen with keyword searches.

• All information is added, edited and deleted in real-time. That means, when you change the name of an item or category, it is automatically changed on your catalog page for viewers to see.

• After entering the basic information for each product, you can enter option information.
• Options can be: Text Boxes (single line fields), Memo Fields (double line fields), Drop Down Boxes or Radio Buttons.
• With each option, you must add an option Name. Examples of option names include "Colors", "Sizes", "Fabrics", "Songs", etc. Whatever you want to be in front of the text field or drop-down box on your catalog page should go here.
• Include a Type - Drop Down Box or Radio Buttons (with or without prices), Memo Field or Text Field. 
• Click the Attribute Wizard link to set up attributes for drop down boxes or radio buttons. Or, add the information yourself, using the following formats in the Attributes field:

Text Box: This option allows the customer to type in a word or short phrase for customizing or personalizing products.

• Example: Baby blanket is customized with the child's first name.
• Attributes: Adding something in the Attributes field sets that text as a default in the text box. If you want the field to be blank, don't add anything here.

Memo Field: This option allows the customer to type in several words or long phrases for customizing or personalizing products.

• Example: Baby blanket is customized with the child's full name and birth month/day/year.
• Attributes: Adding something in the Attributes field sets that text as a default in the memo field. If you want the field to be blank, don't add anything here.

Drop Down: This type allows the customer to choose one of several sizes, colors, styles, fabric, etc., which you determine ahead of time.

• Example: T-Shirt comes in small, medium or large.
• Attributes: Separate each attribute with ~.
• Attribute Example: Small~Medium~Large

Drop Down with Prices: This type not only allows the customer to choose one of several sizes, colors, styles, fabric, etc., but it allows you to charge a different amount for the item based on the options selected. This is only available with Option #1.

• Example: T-Shirt is $10.00 for small or medium, $12.00 for large.
• Attributes: Separate each attribute with ~ and divide the attribute name, price and shipping units (optional) - in that order! - with :
• Attribute Example #1:
  Small:10.00~Medium:10.00~Large:12.00
• Attribute Example #2: (if you use shipping units with Mals)
  Small:10.00:0~Medium:10.00:0~Large:12.00:0

Radio Button: Follow the rules for #3 - Drop Downs. The result will let customers choose the options, this time using radio buttons instead of a drop-down box. 

Radio Button with Prices: Follow the rules for #4 - Drop Downs with Prices. The result will let customers choose the options with prices, this time using radio buttons instead of a drop-down box.

• Set the Active field to "Yes" to display the option now, or set to "No" if you want that option to stay hidden until a later date.
• Note: If you don't have enough options per item, you can increase them by changing the Options per Item field in the variable listings in Step 2.

Related Items

• After entering the options for each product, you can enter related products and instock quantities
• Select any product from the drop-down box to set as a related item.
• You can select up to 5 related items.
• Related items are shown only when using a multi-column format (set Product Columns in the Variables area to 2 or more), after selecting an item to view in detail on the catalog page.
• To remove related items, select "None" from the drop down box.

Inventory Quantities - I would not recommend using this feature unless you are doing 1 of a kind items.  Do not add anything to this box.  IMPORTANT: To use the inventory control feature, you must set up through Mals. To do please contact me for help.  This is a feature that may need updated often and really isn't worth the extra time and effort.