iBikeshop Features - Blocks
What is a "Block"?A "block" is a small area of self contained content, used primarily upon the homepage of a site giving targeted information or a specific message.
Where are they?
By default, blocks occupy the left and right vertical margins of the homepage, along with the left margin of other pages within the site. These margins occupy approximately 40% of the available width of the page, a strip of 20% on the left and 20% on the right. A configurable option enables you to select whether to display blocks throughout the site.
What do they do?
Basically anything you want them to do. Some may be configured to accept automated feeds from the products database, whereas others are entirely customisable.
What Automated blocks are available?
There are currently a number of automated system driven blocks which are each optional for display. The blocks configuration area carries the controls which determine which blocks are displayed and the content level. These automated blocks are:
- "Latest Additions Block" : This block generates a list of the products which have been most recently added to your site.
This feature can be extremely useful when you have a large number of products featured as it enables repeat visitors to see that new items have been added without having to constantly hunt for them.
This block produces a text only Make/Model list of links which link directly to the products concerned.
Options include the heading for the block (the text displayed), the quantityof items to display and whether to use template 1 or template 2 for the block itself. - "Popular Products Block" : This block generates a list of the products within your site which have been viewed the most.
This block produces a text only Make/Model list of links which link directly to the products concerned.
Options include the heading for the block (the text displayed), the quantityof items to display and whether to use template 1 or template 2 for the block itself. - "Top Selling Products Block" : This block generates a list of the products within your site which have been ordered the most.
This block produces a text only Make/Model list of links which link directly to the products concerned.
Options include the heading for the block (the text displayed), the quantityof items to display and whether to use template 1 or template 2 for the block itself. - "Product Focus Block" : This block generates a single product focus showing a product thumbnail at random.
This block displays the Make/Model and the thumbnail image for a random product and links directly to the product concerned.
Because this block is entirely random it gives the appearance of a constantly changing site which can help to generate repeat visitors.
(note: Only products which have thumbnail images and are set to one of the possible active statuses will be displayed)
Options include the heading for the block (the text displayed) and whether to use template 1 or template 2 for the block itself. - "Offer Focus Block" : This block generates a single product offer focus showing a product thumbnail at random.
This block displays the Make/Model, the thumbnail image and pricing details for a random product and links directly to the product within the offers area.
Because this block is entirely random it gives the appearance of a constantly changing site which can help to generate repeat visitors.
(note: Only products which have thumbnail images and are set to one of the possible active statuses AND are marked as an active offer will be displayed)
Options include the heading for the block (the text displayed) and whether to use template 1 or template 2 for the block itself. - "Mailing List Block" : This block contains the subscription mechanism for visitors to use to subscribe to your mailing list.
Options include the heading for the block (the text displayed), whether to enable the block, the subscription invitation message and whether to use template 1 or template 2 for the block itself. - "Categories/Sub-categories List Block" : Block contains a structured list of all categories and sub-categories in a one-per-line format. Only categories and sub-categories with assigned product are displayed.
Options include the heading for the block (the text displayed) and whether to use template 1 or template 2 for the block itself. - "Brand Names List Block" : Block contains a list of all brands (active only) created within your site. Each brand is represented with a text only link to the specific brand page for that brand.
This is not a particularly good looking block HOWEVER it is extremely effective (if brands are created wisely) in securing search engine results. It is recommended that this block be activated.
Options include the heading for the block (the text displayed) and whether to use template 1 or template 2 for the block itself. - "Brand Logos Block" : This block generates a list of the brands within your site which have been selected for display.
Each brand entry displays the brand logo and the brand name which links to the specific brand page for that brand.
This is a better looking block than the Names List block HOWEVER it is not as effective in securing search engine results because the list may need to be incomplete if you have a large number of brands. It is recommended that this block be used in conjunction with the Names List block and that you only select your primary brands for inclusion.
(note: Any brand which does not have a logo uploaded against it WILL NOT be displayed.)
Options include the heading for the block (the text displayed), the specific logos you want to display and whether to use template 1 or template 2 for the block itself.
- Secure Server Logo - Once secure server is enabled for your site, a secure logo will appear within the blocks panel. This is NOT customisable.
- PayPal Payments Logo - If PayPal is enabled for your site, a paypal secure logo will appear within the blocks panel. This is NOT customisable.
- Ultimate Pursuits* - Bike and Fishing shop specific. Ultimate Pursuits is a major industry supplier's ecommerce offering.
Retailers operating a UP site can simply tick a box in the back-office configuration area to enable this block.
A link is provided to a preformatted content page OR straight into the retailers UP site with each click-out registering a count.
Options for whether to use template 1 or template 2 for the block itself.
- Fisher Outdoor Leisure* - Bike shop specific. Fisher Outdoor is a major industry supplier, who operate an affilliate ecommerce offering through their own site.
Retailers operating a Fisher Outdoor affilliate site can simply tick a box in the back-office configuration area to enable this block.
A link is provided straight into the retailers Fisher affilliate site with each click-out registering a count.
Options for whether to use template 1 or template 2 for the block itself. - BikeHub* - Bike shop specific. BikeHub is the Bike industry's own levy scheme which pays for worthy assistance to charitable cycling organisations and the ongoing promotion of the cycle as leisure and transport.
Retailers who support BikeHub can simply tick a box in the back-office configuration area to enable this block.
A link is provided to the BikeHub.co.uk site with each click-out registering a count.
Options for whether to use template 1 or template 2 for the block itself and whether to display the BikeHub and/or BikeForAll.net logos.
Anything! The editor for blocks will accept either plain typed text, which it will format for you, or you may be a little more adventurous and use correct html. The latter option will allow you to place images and hyperlinks into your blocks. The blocks editor also allows the uploading of an image which it will size correctly for blocks. The blocks editor has space for 2 panels of text with an image between.
What would I use a block for?
There could be a product which you want to permanently appear on your homepage, or you may wish to link into a news article even after it has disappeared from your main notice board listing. In reality, if you want something to appear prominently on your homepage, then a block is the ideal method.
How many can I have?
There is no limit to how many blocks you can have on your pages.
Can I control where they appear, ie the order and left/right placement?
YES. Totally. The blocks editor allows simple movement of blocks up and down and side to side such that you can position blocks in the precise order which best suits your site.
Can I temporarily disable a block?
YES. If, for any reason, you need to turn a block off, ie prevent it from being displayed to site visitors, you may set it to inactive. This in turn means that you may create seasonal blocks which you may turn on at particular times of the year without having to recreate it the next time it is needed.
Can I control placement and display order for automated blocks?
Yes. System block positions are controlled with the same movement controller as custom blocks.
I want blocks to appear on my entire site. Is this possible?
YES. There are three options for block display:
- Display blocks on homepage ONLY
- Display left blocks panel on all pages (excluding Product Area)
- Display left blocks panel on all pages (including Product Area)
Are there any additional automated features?
Yes. The primary function of a block is to act as a "feature area" however the space available within a block is somewhat limited. The blocks system has therefore been designed to offer automated linking to nominated news articles, static pages, external sites or ANY page within the products system.
Page Updated: Sunday 8 April 2007
For more information you can contact us on: info@i-bikeshop.com