We have been using Erol for our shopping site software for about 12 months now. I'm really not sure about the useability of the software - I have just spent about 2 hours trying to put a product listing on the front page and in the end settled for using the auto-generated sitemap instead. It works ok, although nothing seems to be intuitive as fr as managing the site goes.
I now want to be able to list more products - the version I am using the the Startup version and that restricts me in theory to just 25 products, although I have found in the past that if I try to list 24 the whole thing corrupts. I just don't know whether to invest more money in Erol, and upgrade what we have, or whether to write that off and start again with something more user friendly. My main concern is that if I find the site difficult to use, and I have received training, then what about an untrained potential customer? They are just going to find another shop.
Corky's Vodka shots
Due to popular demand I have added the Corky's Vodka Shots range to our online shop. Enter the shop using this link:
Abbey Stores online
and click on "Spirits" on the left hand side menu.
Please note that if you purchase any three bottles from the Corky's range online you will save 10% before shipping at checkout. Creme Egg vodka anyone???!?!?!?
The full range of flavours is as follows:
CORKYS APPLE SOUR VODKA SHOTS
CORKYS BLUEBERRY VODKA SHOTS
CORKYS CHERRY VODKA SHOTS
CORKYS CHOCOLATE ORANGE VODKA SHOTS
CORKYS COLA CUBE VODKA SHOTS
CORKYS CREME EGG VODKA SHOTS
CORKYS GLACIER MINT VODKA SHOTS
CORKYS WHITE CHOCOLATE VODKA SHOTS
Abbey Stores online
and click on "Spirits" on the left hand side menu.
Please note that if you purchase any three bottles from the Corky's range online you will save 10% before shipping at checkout. Creme Egg vodka anyone???!?!?!?
The full range of flavours is as follows:
CORKYS APPLE SOUR VODKA SHOTS
CORKYS BLUEBERRY VODKA SHOTS
CORKYS CHERRY VODKA SHOTS
CORKYS CHOCOLATE ORANGE VODKA SHOTS
CORKYS COLA CUBE VODKA SHOTS
CORKYS CREME EGG VODKA SHOTS
CORKYS GLACIER MINT VODKA SHOTS
CORKYS WHITE CHOCOLATE VODKA SHOTS
SAFED driver training
Myself and Penny have just returned from an excellent 1/2 day course at the local A1 Roadcraft centre in Salisbury, where we have been school in the art of advanced driving under the SAFED scheme.
The morning is spent driving a fixed route, having first brimmed the vehicle with fuel. Once driven the number of gear changes made and the amount of fuel used is recorded. The instructor then drives the same route, again noting the variables but also giving you best practise hints and guidance.
Lunchtime is spent doing a theory test and also learning some manoeuvring skills, then after lunch we went back out to re-drive the same route and demonstrate what we have learnt. Again the vehicle is filled to the brim before and after each drive.
The course really does teach one how to drive sensibly, anticipate the road ahead, save wear and tear on the vehicle, drive safely and ultimately save fuel. Over the 9 mile test route I was able to cut fuel consumption by 50% - not bad at all!
I really enjoyed the course and hopefully this will lead to better things - I really want to pass my Category C licence so that I can drive my friend's Russian truck.
A1 Roadcraft are at:
A1 Roadcraft Centre
Livestock Market
Netherhampton Road
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP2 8RH
http://www.a1roadcraft.co.uk/page.cfm?pid=297
More details about SAFED courses can be found online at:
http://www.safed.org.uk
My friend's Russian truck, a Ural 4320, can be seen here:
http://www.ural4320.com/
The morning is spent driving a fixed route, having first brimmed the vehicle with fuel. Once driven the number of gear changes made and the amount of fuel used is recorded. The instructor then drives the same route, again noting the variables but also giving you best practise hints and guidance.
Lunchtime is spent doing a theory test and also learning some manoeuvring skills, then after lunch we went back out to re-drive the same route and demonstrate what we have learnt. Again the vehicle is filled to the brim before and after each drive.
The course really does teach one how to drive sensibly, anticipate the road ahead, save wear and tear on the vehicle, drive safely and ultimately save fuel. Over the 9 mile test route I was able to cut fuel consumption by 50% - not bad at all!
I really enjoyed the course and hopefully this will lead to better things - I really want to pass my Category C licence so that I can drive my friend's Russian truck.
A1 Roadcraft are at:
A1 Roadcraft Centre
Livestock Market
Netherhampton Road
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP2 8RH
http://www.a1roadcraft.co.uk/page.cfm?pid=297
More details about SAFED courses can be found online at:
http://www.safed.org.uk
My friend's Russian truck, a Ural 4320, can be seen here:
http://www.ural4320.com/
Right, very quickly, after our annual stock counting fun yesterday we are all knackered (10 hours on top of the usual 60+ hour week is a long day). I have:
Put the products in the right departments
Hidden a lot of non stocked items
Updated the product A-Z on the website.
I have also spent all morning filling in Temporary Event Notice forms to send to the local council and police for some events this summer. Why can I not do this online and save paper, postage and huge amounts of time? Perhaps someone from HM Government who has set up this licencing act fiasco of 2003 send me some answers.
Put the products in the right departments
Hidden a lot of non stocked items
Updated the product A-Z on the website.
I have also spent all morning filling in Temporary Event Notice forms to send to the local council and police for some events this summer. Why can I not do this online and save paper, postage and huge amounts of time? Perhaps someone from HM Government who has set up this licencing act fiasco of 2003 send me some answers.
Updates
Hmm, been a bit lax lately and haven't updated this page even though I've been doing work on the main site. Anyway:
Updated product A-Z - lots of new products now listed and lots of old junk taken out.
Updated Real cider page with new products.
Cider by Rosie, as featured in Metro last year, is back. The first delivery of the 2006 vintage, which contains apples from my parent's garden is now available in the shop on draught and to celebrate its arrival we are offering a deal - normally £1.85 per pint if you fill a 4 pint container it is only £7.00 saving 40p.
I am trying to persuade Rose to bottle some of the still, draught cider so that people who cannot immediately enjoy the cider can take some on with them. Later there should be some semi-sweet sparkling available again in bottles.
Updated product A-Z - lots of new products now listed and lots of old junk taken out.
Updated Real cider page with new products.
Cider by Rosie, as featured in Metro last year, is back. The first delivery of the 2006 vintage, which contains apples from my parent's garden is now available in the shop on draught and to celebrate its arrival we are offering a deal - normally £1.85 per pint if you fill a 4 pint container it is only £7.00 saving 40p.I am trying to persuade Rose to bottle some of the still, draught cider so that people who cannot immediately enjoy the cider can take some on with them. Later there should be some semi-sweet sparkling available again in bottles.
New page on website
I have created a new page on the website for Ecover products that are becoming increasinly popular amongst our customers, so much so that we now only stock Ecover detergents and have very few "normal" brands left.
The new page is here: http://www.abbeystores.co.uk/Ecover.htm and any comments are welcomed.
The new page is here: http://www.abbeystores.co.uk/Ecover.htm and any comments are welcomed.
Stonch's Beer Blog
A well written and frequently updated blog about beer drinking and general beer related enjoyment in London and elsewhere. Well worth keeping an eye on.
Stonch's Beer Blog
Stonch's Beer Blog
Friends of The Lewes Arms
I want to bring your attention to the fight that continues to rumble on in Lewes, Sussex. Too often the larger brewers and pubcos reduce consumer choice by only offering their own "house" brands.
Well done and good luck to all those involved:
Friends of The Lewes Arms
Well done and good luck to all those involved:
Friends of The Lewes Arms
Website changes
Updated product A-Z.
Added Vuju to shopping site, home page and links page.
Removed unavailable products from shopping site.
Added Vuju to shopping site, home page and links page.
Removed unavailable products from shopping site.
Exciting new vodka smoothie: VUJU
Yesterday I received a visit from Carl at Krush Drinks, producer of the delicious range of new vodka smoothies called VUJU. Made only from crushed fruit, with no additives, preservative, water or sugar. I'm pleased to announce that not only are we stocking the drinks but we will also be listing them online for mail order sales.SPECIAL OFFER: Buy any 3 bottles for £5.00 (normally £2.00 each).
Anthony Nolan Trust
We have received an information pack from the Anthony Nolan Trust, giving details of a registration session in Salisbury on Monday 19th February. The location details are below and I would like to encourage any readers to attend this or another session in their area. I feel it is vitaly important that we all support these initiatives because after all it could be you or me that vitaly needs a donor in the future.
Date: Monday 19th February 2007
Time: 1430 to 1800
Place: Rooms 1 &2, Education Centre, Level 5 , Salisbury District Hospital, SP2 8BJ.
Further information can be found at www.anthonynolan.org.uk
Potential donors must be between 18 and 40 and be in good general health. Male donors, and/or those from ethnic backgrounds are most needed but really anyone is welcome providing they are in the right age group.
Date: Monday 19th February 2007
Time: 1430 to 1800
Place: Rooms 1 &2, Education Centre, Level 5 , Salisbury District Hospital, SP2 8BJ.
Further information can be found at www.anthonynolan.org.uk
Potential donors must be between 18 and 40 and be in good general health. Male donors, and/or those from ethnic backgrounds are most needed but really anyone is welcome providing they are in the right age group.
Website updates
I've pruned out a lot of dross from the product file and updated the list on the website.
I have also re-written the outside bars page to hopefully explain the process of booking us for an event more clearly. As always any comments about the website, or what we do, or anything else are much appreciated.
I have also re-written the outside bars page to hopefully explain the process of booking us for an event more clearly. As always any comments about the website, or what we do, or anything else are much appreciated.
Twice in one day!
Updated the shopping site:
Added new products such as Pusser's Rum, red and white wine selections and Taylors Mustard makes a welcome return. Also some cracking fizz from the Alsace.
Updated main site with links to this blog, links to shopping site.
Added new products such as Pusser's Rum, red and white wine selections and Taylors Mustard makes a welcome return. Also some cracking fizz from the Alsace.
Updated main site with links to this blog, links to shopping site.
Website changes
This post marks the start of using this blog in the way that I used to use the change log. As changes are made to the website they will be detailed on here, along with more general posts as and when I can.
So far, in the last few days, we have made some significant changes to the look and feel of the Abbey Stores website, to make it easier for browsers to shop online. These include:
Embedding the shopping site into the main body of the static site.
Revising our delivery prices to be cheaper for heavier deliveries.
Changing the layout of the shopping site so that is displays correctly in its new position.
Removal of separate delivery and billing addresses so that it is clear that we can only despatch to the billing address.
Preparing for the addition of new products to the shopping site.
Future changes are being planned; they will include:
Removing Nochex as a payment option and replacing it with a Protx/Streamline solution.
Upgrading Erol (the shopping software) to the business edition so that we can list many more products.
Listing products that people are searching for.
Revising the main site to be easier to navigate.
As always, changes will be posted here as they happen.
So far, in the last few days, we have made some significant changes to the look and feel of the Abbey Stores website, to make it easier for browsers to shop online. These include:
Embedding the shopping site into the main body of the static site.
Revising our delivery prices to be cheaper for heavier deliveries.
Changing the layout of the shopping site so that is displays correctly in its new position.
Removal of separate delivery and billing addresses so that it is clear that we can only despatch to the billing address.
Preparing for the addition of new products to the shopping site.
Future changes are being planned; they will include:
Removing Nochex as a payment option and replacing it with a Protx/Streamline solution.
Upgrading Erol (the shopping software) to the business edition so that we can list many more products.
Listing products that people are searching for.
Revising the main site to be easier to navigate.
As always, changes will be posted here as they happen.
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