“What add-ons/modules should I install in my zen cart?” With hundreds of free modules available for zen cart, this is one of the most frequently asked questions I get. When considering whether or not to install additional modules to your zen cart, it is important to ask, “Do I really need this module?”. Since the more modules you install, the more complicated and potentially expensive an upgrade will be, you should consider this question carefully before adding any extra modules to your site.
Having said that, there are some modules that I consider to be absolute must-haves. I install them in all of my custom zen cart projects. They enhance the functionality of your zen cart (i.e. make your job as a store owner easier) and provide functionality that is not native to the program. All of these modules are available for free download in the Free Software Add Ons section on the zen cart site and links to them are included in this post. Some are easy to install, others not so easy.
1. Database Backup
This module is super convenient for backing up your zen cart database directly through the admin (no need to use cpanel or phpmyadmin) in just a few clicks. It is fast and easy to use and as we all know, it is so important to have a current back up of your database. Very convenient when you are just adding products or making other database changes when no file changes are involved.
Note: This module does not back up your site files, so you should do that also before making any changes to the site.
Download it here. Database Back up module for Zen Cart
2. Column Layout Grid
This module give you the clean looking, easy to use grid format for your product listing pages as opposed to the row layout that is native to zen cart. You can still use all of the features of the product listing page (add to cart box, description, etc.) but the format is just better for shoppers, whether you have a lot of products, or just a few.
Download it here. Column Layout Grid module for Zen Cart
3. Newsletter Subscribe
This module allows customers to subscribe to your stores newsletter without the hassle having to register for an account. Extremely valuable since your newsletter is one of your most valuable marketing tools. The module gives you the option of adding the sign up as a side box or in the header of your store.
Download it here. Newsletter Subscribe module for Zen Cart
4. Ask a Question
This module puts a button or link on the product info page to allow your customers to ask a question directly from the product info page. The product information and product link are included in the email. It saves you time corresponding with customers asking which product they are asking about.
Download it here. Ask a Question module for Zen Cart
5. About Us Page
This module does just what it says. It adds an About Page, crucial for buyer confidence. Has the added advantage of being easily edited via the admin define pages editor.
Download it here. About Us Page module for Zen Cart
6. Image Handler 3
There are many advantages to using Image Handler over the default zen cart image functionality including: Improved site performance (faster loading, faster display), Professional looking images (no stair-effects, smooth edges), Uploading one image automatically creates small, medium and large images on page request, Choose preferred image-types for each image size, Source image file type doesn’t matter, Drops in and out seamlessly. No need to redo your images. All images are kept, Easy install. One-click-database-upgrade, Works with mass-update/-upload tools like Ez Populate, Watermark images to prevent Mr. Competitor from stealing them, Fancy image hover functionality lets a larger image pop up whenever you move your mouse above a small image (switchable), Watermarking works with different source-images for small, medium and large, too, Fancy Hovers work with different source-images, Choose an image background color matching to match you site’s color or select a transparent background for your images, Manage your multiple images for products easily from one page just like you do with attributes in the Products Attribute Manager.
This contribution uses GD libraries or Image Magick (if installed on your server) to generate and resize small, medium and large images on the fly on page request. You can simply upload just one image or you can have different sources for medium and large images. This upgrade further enables you to watermark your images (overlay a second specific translucent image) and have medium images pop up when you move your mouse over a small image (fancy hover).
This contribution includes a powerful admin interface to browse your products just like you would with the Attribute Manager and upload / delete / add additional images without having to do this manually via FTP. Image Handler 2 works fine with mass update utilities like Ez Populate.
Download it here. Image Handler 3 module for Zen Cart
7. Cross Sell
Shown on the product info page, this module will allow you to select up to 6 other products to recommend to buyers.
Download it here. Cross Sell module for Zen Cart
8. Lightbox
This contribution adds lightbox support to Zen Cart. All large product images will be displayed within a lightbox. This eliminates the need for popup windows and makes your website much more user friendly. Additional product images are displayed within a simple gallery interface. Support for the lightbox effect on any page (including EZ-Pages) and keyboard navigation have been added. In addition to this, the source code has been optimised and the size of the JavaScript code has been reduced by 52.23%.
Download it here. Lightbox module for Zen Cart
9. CAPTCHA
Greatly cuts down on the amount of spam you get. This will add a reCAPTCHA validation to the contact us form.
Download it here. Captcha module for Zen Cart
10. Google Analytics
Allows you to integrate the advanced e-commerce Analysis provided by Google.
Download it here. Google Analytics module for Zen Cart
There are also several modules that I recommend, but I will list these out in a future article.
