The product attribute system is getting a complete re-writing for osCommerce 3.0. This how-to applies to MS2 and some earlier versions.
When should attributes be used?
Product attributes are used when you have a product that has options – ie, t-shirts might come in different sizes and colors. With the standard osCommerce attribute system you can adjust the price up or down with various attributes.
When should attributes NOT be used?
The biggest shortcoming is a lack of stock keeping – the 2.2 attributes system does not keep track of how many large shirts were ordered or how many blue, only how many shirts were ordered. If you need to track stock levels of the various different options, product attributes are not for you.
The product attribute system also cannot handle a situation where not all combinations are permissible. For example, if ‘large’ shirts are available in white and blue, but ‘extra large’ are only available in blue, there is nothing in place that would prevent a customer from ordering an extra large white shirt.
If either of these poses a problem for your product line we have a variety of solutions available to you. Please contact us for options!
How does all this work?
Product attributes can be set up through your osCommerce admin screen. Before moving forward we need to define some terms:
Product Option – an option is a category of choices to be made – size, color, etc
Option Value - a specific choice – red, blue, small, large
Product Attribute – a combination of a product, an option and a value
In your admin screen, click on “Catalog” then ‘Products Attributes.” This will take you to a screen like this:
Create your product options first, then your option values. When those are ready move to the “Products Attributes” section. Select a product, an option name and an option value from the dropdowns. If this particular choice will change the price, put a number in the “value price” field. In the “prefix” put a “+” if this choice increases the price or a “-” if this choice decreases the price.
This interface is also used to set up downloadable products. For more information on downloadable products please see the downloadable products how-to.
If you have many products with attributes, this interface can quickly get tiring and out of hand. Here at Blue Note our specialty is making things easier for you, the store admin. We have put together several packages to help you set up attributes quickly and easily when editing your products without any need to work with this attribute interface. For more information on this or any of the services we offer please use the contact form or call us at 940-239-5225.