Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A. Does Q-Shop use cookies?

Q-Shop uses cookies in two occasions:

1. There is a session cookie storing a session id. This cookie will expire after 20 minutes of inactivity or when the user closes the browser. This is the cookie used on all ASP applications to allow sessions. This cookie is stored in memory and not in the user's PC.
2. There is another optional cookie storing the user id that allows the system to recognise existing users, greet them and pre-fill their data during the checkout process if so they wish (except credit card data). There is no problem if the user doesn't accept this cookie or it gets deleted.

A. Does Q-Shop support SSL?

Yes, you will need an SSL enabled server and your own or a shared certificate.
However, there is one restriction: the secure folder must be in the same server. Most of the hosts can point a virtual folder in the shared secure domain to the same physical folder where the ASP files are. Check with you hosting provider.

A. Will I need to install any software?

No, only copy the asp files and database to your IIS web server. There is no need to install any cgi, component or software whatsoever.
However, you might need to do it if you want to integrate some of the online credit card gateways, UPS cost calculation or substitute the standard e-mail component of IIS (CODSYS or CDONTS).

A. Can I see a demo?

Yes, just go to http://quadcomm.com/qshop/demo.asp and visit the demo shop. You can visit the user front-end and the administrator's Control Panel as well.

A. What databases does Q-Shop support?

Q-Shop supports Microsoft Access and SQL Server. When you order Q-Shop the software comes with a MS Access database (.mdb) and the SQL scripts to create a SQL Server database.

You can also migrate an existing Access-based shop to SQL Server, if you want to upgrade check the tutorial: Migrating to SQL Server

Additional links:

• Upsizing Microsoft Access-Based Applications
• Microsoft Access Upsizing Tools 97
• Upsize ASP From Access To SQL Server from Visual Basic Programmers Journal

A. Do I get technical support?

Yes. You get three months of free internet technical support when you purchase the software. We cannot add new functionality with the free support but we can do it on request with an extra charge per hour of programming^(*). When customers extend the shop we can provide some help but support does not include helping you code the additional features other than some general guidance.

A. Does Q-Shop calculate shipping costs?

Yes. Q-Shop calculates shipping costs based on several systems (cost, weight, percentage, flat rate,...). The manual also explains how to easily use a system based on a list of pre-defined options (for example, US Air, US Ground,...). Visit the Shipping Cost page for more details.

Also available real time UPS cost calculation (for this module it is required the use of the free AspTear component or equivalent).

If none of these systems covers your needs, it can be easily modified.

A. Does Q-Shop calculate taxes?

Q-Shop calculates taxes using the models of the US, Canada and the European Union. Additional systems can be easily implemented based on these.

A. Can Q-Shop be integrated with online credit card processing systems?

Q-Shop includes versions of the modules for integration with several popular payment gateways and can be integrated with others. Visit our payment gateways page for further information.

A. How will I know that a customer has placed an order?

Every time a customer places an order a mail is sent to the customer and to you including the key order details (except credit card information), you can then go to the Contol Panel to view the full order details.

A. Do I need some special knowledge?

You will need some knowledge of HTML and ASP to install the site. If you do not have this knowledge we can install the site for you (ask for prices). You can have an introduction to ASP technology here or here.

A. Can I integrate Q-Shop with FrontPage?

It is possible to use FrontPage 2000 or later but only if you don't edit files using the visual editor; this can sometimes lead to problems so we don't recommend it. We recommend you to edit the pages with MS Visual Interdev, Macromedia HomeSite or any HTML/ASP editor that supports direct HTML and VBScript editing.

A. How many levels of categories and subcategories can the shop have?

There can be an unlimited number of categories organized in an unlimited level of subcategories.

A. Can I translate the shop?

Yes, as the storefront is completely written in ASP without any compiled files. This allows you to do any modification from changing expressions to translate the whole store easily.

Some of our resellers maintain a version in their own language:
- For the version in Italian and adapted to the Italian market, please, visit OMNIA OFFICE at http://www.q-shop.it
- For the German version visit sunsky.de our Qualified VAR for the German version of Q-Shop.

A. Do I need to install any ASP component?

Q-Shop does not need to have installed any component. However it does depend on some components that come with the web server (IIS): CDOSYS/CDONTS and MSXMLTTP (in some optional features only). These components are used to send e-mails and to communicate Q-Shop with other web servers, for example when using Authorize.Net or the UPS module.

A. We don't have our own SSL certificate. Can we use the one from our ISP?

Yes, but only if the ISP certificate is in the same machine as your server and the secure URL points to the same files as your non-secure site. If you redirect the user to another server the system won't be able to access the database and therefore it won't be able to proceed with the checkout (in Access installations).

A. What are the differences between Pro and Lite?

Both Pro an Lite share the same main features but Pro contains a number of additional value added features. Key future features will be added to Pro only. Check the differences between the two versions here.

A. I purchased a previous version, can I upgrade it to the latest one?

Customers of version 3.x will get free upgrades for any 3.x releases. Customers from previous versions can upgrade to the current version 3.x purchasing a license upgrade.
Please notice that upgrades are normally produced as full new versions rather than just upgrade scripts (upgrade database scripts are also provided).

A. Can I change the look of the shop easily?

Yes! Q-Shop supports themes or skins that can be applied to the shop. You can create you own skins modifying the style sheet (CSS) and associated images. Alternatively you can use one of the themes provided. Learn more about themes.

A. Is Q-Shop search engine friendly?

Yes, Q-Shop has been designed to be search engine friendly. You can define general meta keywords and description and specific values for each product. Page titles are also used wisely to include category and product names. The HTML of the page is also free of excessive clutter making it easier for search engines to index your pages.

A. How do I order Q-Shop?

You can view prices and order Q-Shop online through our order page.

A. Can I download a demo version?

Since Q-Shop comes with full source code, we do not have a demo version that you can download. However, you can use our full online demo version any time.

A. Can I download the manual?

Yes, you can download it from the download area.