eCart Builder How-To Guide
There are two basic steps to the eCart Builder. The first step is to create your headers and footers. The second step is to set your background colors and images. We recommend creating your headers and footers first so that you can apply a background that complements your header and footer layout choices.

Create A Header or a Footer
The Header Field is the first blank field you encounter at the top of the eCart Builder Page. The Footer Field is the blank field on the bottom of the eCart Builder Page.

TEXT EDITOR - Click on the Pencil Icon to access the Text Editor: Header page for Header and Footer Page for Footer.

Add Copy for the Headline

The Headline Copy field is where you'll type in the headline for your eCart page. It may just be your company name and tag line or it could outline a special promotion you're offering or give customers the option to call customer service with questions.

TIP: The input box has a limit of 500 characters so you can get your message across but we recommend dividing your message into a short but snappy, power-Headline and use the Body Copy field to round out your message. Experiment with different looks and layouts until you create a winner.

Set Font Display Parameters for the Headline

Directly beneath the Headline box you'll find three drop-down menu boxes. The first box sets the color of the header text. The second drop-down box sets the font size and the third drop-down box sets the alignment of your Headline text within the Header. This alignment choice does not alter the layout, but rather determines if the text itself will be right justified, centered or left-justified within the selected layout .

Add Sub-Head/Lead-In Text and Custom HTML

The Sub-Head or Lead-In field can accept straight text or HTML. While there is no real limit on the number of words you can input, we recommend you use a little restraint and use the least amount of copy needed to get your message across. While tempting, we know that putting too much copy on the page means it won't get read.

Use the drop-down menus

CAUTION: If you add HTML to this section DO NOT INCLUDE ANY 'TEXT AREA' HTML tags. This will freeze your eCart Builder and this page will not work.

If you add HTML to your site and see a blank screen or missing wrench after you've hit apply, click the Back button on your browser and repair or delete the code before clicking on Apply again.

Set Font Display Parameters for the Sub-Head/Lead-In Text

Directly beneath the Sub-Head/Lead-In text box you'll find the three drop-down menu box choices you had in setting the Headline parameters. You will also see a fourth button for format. The first box sets the color of the text. The second drop-down box sets the font size and the third drop-down box sets the alignment of your text within the Header. This alignment choice determines if the text itself will be right justified, centered or left justified within the selected layout. Select the Format for this area - text or HTML.

Apply Changes

At the bottom of the page you will see an [Apply Changes] button. When you are satisfied with your edits, apply the changes by clicking this button. You will be returned to your eCart Builder and the edits will be displayed. If you want to make changes, click the Pencil Icon, edit as you need and apply the new changes.

Add an Image

Image Editor - Click on the flower picture icon to access the image editor to import an image from your computer.

Adding images to your Cart pages will maintain your brand throughout the customer check out process. This gives your site extra continuity and builds consumer confidence in purchasing from your website.

We recommend that you upload your logo as the primary image on the left side, although you can certainly upload any other type of image that best supports your business.

You will see a [Upload Image] button. If an image has already been uploaded for the header or footer you are working with, you will also see the image directly above the [Upload Image] button and you will also see a [Remove Image] button.

To upload an image, click on the [Upload Image] button and follow the instructions. Your image will need to be in either JPEG or GIFF format.

You cannot upload a new image until you remove the existing image.

Select image Alignment

The Image Editor will provide you with four layout options for an image with text layout. Select the layout you want applied to your eCart. Consider the rest of your site, the size of your logo and the length of your text. Test different layout combinations to get the most balanced page.

TIP: You can easily change your layout anytime simply by selecting a different layout. Hit the [Apply Changes] button at the bottom of the page and your header/footer now has the new layout. This is a great way to make seasonal changes or update the look of your cart.

Selecting Background Color For Left Side and Center Area

Background Color Picker - Click on the paintbrush icon to select background colors for the left side and the the center area.

Once you have set your header and footer preferences you'll have the option to set the background color. As a general rule, you'll want to keep the background as clean and uncluttered as possible so that it enhances the check out process without distracting the customers.

You will set the background color by clicking on the "Paint Brush" Icon in the top left hand corner of the eCart Builder field. This will open a control panel with a color chart.

The color you select will be displayed behind, the header and footer copy and/or images, as well as the list of items in your customer has added to the cart, along with checkout instructions.

You have two options for selecting the background color:

Select a color from the color chart by clicking your mouse on the color spot.
Input your own Red Green Blue numbers in the fields provided;

Hint: Once you select your color, the system will automatically render the color and display your cart page. To edit, simply click on the paintbrush icon to modify your choice.

Select the Background Image to apply to the eCart.

Background Image Editor- Click on the mallet icon to select background images for the left side and/or the the center area.

You can upload or remove a background image by using the corresponding [upload image] and [delete image] buttons. The eCart Builder will only accept images in either a JPEG or GIFF format.

Clicking on the [Upload Image] button will open an image upload wizard with step-by-step instructions. When you complete the upload process you will return to the Background Edit page. Click the [Apply] button to apply the image changes.

TIP: Use background images sparingly. While they can add visual excitement to this page, the primary purpose of the cart is to allow a shopper to complete their purchase.

Notes from the Field:

Many merchants have been experimenting with the use of HTML in their eCart Builder. While we encourage you to be as creative as your talents allow, we recommend a little caution with your use of HTML as you may either freeze your eCart or limit your ability to edit it.

Issues to be mindful of:

* eSellerCart builder does not support <form>, <script>, or <textarea> commands, or pages created with other programs. You can use these throughout your site but NOT as part of the eCart.

* Common HTML coding errors are: not closing commands properly (i.e., omitting </table> or </a> ); not including closed quotation marks when editing mail links, and making image references from a local hard drive instead of a valid web URL.

* Adding HTML code that references images or text stored on other servers can slow down the load time of your published site.