Although every X-Cart theme/skin is different, there are still common features. They all let you use the same page types with a standard set of elements.
In this section:
Page Types
X-Cart uses two basic types of pages: dynamic pages and static pages.
Static pages are web pages that contain information that changes rarely or almost never. The content of such pages is created once and remains the same unless someone edits it using an HTML code editor or a WYSIWYG editor. Typical examples of static pages are the "About Us" page, the "Shipping" page, and the "Terms & Conditions" page.
Dynamic pages are pages that include some dynamic content. Unlike static texts, dynamic content is generated on the fly in response to actions performed by store site visitors and may vary depending on different factors. The elements that form the dynamic content of pages include category names and descriptions, lists of subcategories and products, product names and descriptions, product prices and stock quantities, product options, etc.
Since the content of your store's dynamic pages can change depending on the elements displayed, it is impossible to edit them directly like static pages. However, you can control dynamic content by adjusting your store's settings, the properties of specific products and categories, the information of specific customer accounts, the memberships configuration, etc. - all using the standard Admin area UIs. For example, to change the price of a product, you do not have to edit any page HTML directly. Instead, you find the product in question via the Admin area section to handle your store's catalog and edit the product price using the standard UI that enables you to edit product details. The new price information is saved with the rest of the product details in the store's database. Later, when a site visitor requests to view the product information on the storefront, your store server generates a product page for them with dynamic content - including the updated price information.
The loading of dynamic pages usually takes more time than that of static pages. Therefore, your online store uses caching to deliver faster page load times, reduce hosting costs, and improve user experience by increasing the overall page speed.
All store design themes (skins) include the following pages:
Home: The main dynamically-built page of your online store (the default one that opens when a customer visits your store website).
Category: A dynamic page that shows all products you have included in a given category.
Product: A dynamic page that shows a product and its variants. It includes product images, pricing information, a product description, and an Add to cart button.
Cart: A dynamic page that summarizes the products a customer has added to the cart, a subtotal and a total price for the order, and a Checkout button that directs customers to secure checkout pages.
Checkout: A dynamic page that shows the checkout details, including customer shipping and billing info, available payment, and shipping methods, cart total and subtotal, and the Place order button that either creates an order for a customer or directs a customer to a payment processor depending on the payments configuration settings.
Search: A dynamic page that includes a search bar and a search results list.
Contact Us: A static page that includes your store contact details and a form that customers can use to contact you.
Customer: A block of dynamic pages, including the customer registration page, the customer login page, and the customer account page. The customer account page includes the customer's profile, messages, shipping address book, and existing orders.
Page Elements
All the pages of a theme (skin) include these page elements:
Header: The content area that appears at the top of each page of your store. The header usually includes your store's name, logo, main menu navigation, a customer account link, and a cart icon.
Body: The area on every page of your online store between the header and the footer. Unlike header and footer, which stay the same on almost all the pages, the body is dynamic and contains variable content that changes depending on the page you are on.
Navigation: A menu or a block of menus that provide a way for customers to explore or move around your online store. The main menu navigation is a part of the store header.
Footer: The content area that appears at the bottom of every page of your store. The footer can include menus, social media icons, contact information, or a newsletter signup link.
Management of Pages
The management of pages in X-Cart is implemented via the add-on Simple CMS.
We recommend you review all the types of pages your store will use and see if any information or layout need to be adjusted.
Related pages: