X-Cart:Refine Filters

X-Cart 4.5or above

Overview

What Refine Filters does

X-Cart's Refine Filters add-on module enables your customers to use parametric search to easily find what they need. With this add-on module enabled at your store, your customers will no longer feel like they are looking for a needle in a haystack. Working from your existing product options, variants, feature comparison classes and more, Refine Filters generates radio buttons and numeric sliders and even allows for multiple selections to help your customers narrow a products list down to what fits their needs.

Why Refine Filters?

Imagine navigating hundreds or even thousands of similar-looking medicines or auto parts to find the one you need. With Refine Filters, your customers can leave the nightmare behind and find what they are looking for in just a few clicks — increasing sales conversions, generating add-on sales and lowering your customer service workload.

System requirements

To be able to successfully install and use the Refine Filters add-on module, you must have a working copy of X-Cart GOLD or GOLD PLUS version 4.5.0 or later installed on your server. Make sure that the version of the module is the same as the version of the installed copy of X-Cart.

Note: If you do not remember the version of installed X-Cart, find it in the Environment info section of the Summary page in X-Cart Admin area.

Installation

To install the module:

1. Obtain a distribution package for the Refine Filters add-on module by downloading it from the File Area section of your X-Cart Account. The distribution package you need is contained in the archive file x-refine-filters-x.y.z.tgz where x, y and z are the version numbers of the module. Make sure the version of the module is the same as the version of the installed X-Cart.
2. Copy the distribution package to the X-Cart root directory on your server or hosting account.
   • If you are using a Windows-based server, or a UNIX-based server without terminal access:

   a) Decompress the archive with the Refine Filters distribution package to a directory on your system using your favorite compression program (WinZIP or any other archiver with support for TAR files).

   b) Use an FTP client to upload all the files contained in the archive (retaining the directory structure) to the X-Cart root directory on your server or your hosting account.

   • If you are using a UNIX-based server with terminal access:

   a) Use an FTP client to upload the archive with the distribution package to the X-Cart root directory on your server or your hosting account.

   b) Decompress the package using the following command:

   tar -xzvf x-refine-filters-x.y.z.tgz

   Important: Make sure you keep the directory structure while unpacking and uploading the distribution package, otherwise some necessary files can be overwritten!

3. In a web browser, run the installation script httр://<YOUR_XCART_DOMAIN>/install-x-refine-filters.php replacing the variable <YOUR_XCART_DOMAIN> with the actual domain name of your X-Cart store.
4. Enter the Auth code, accept the License Agreement and click Next.
5. The installation script patches the files and activates the module. Click Next to continue the installation.
   
   Note: If you are using a custom skin, you will need to manually apply the patches to it. Otherwise, the module will not work in this skin.
6. The installation script generates a new system fingerprint. Click Next to complete the installation.
7. Use the ADMINISTRATOR AREA link to log in to the Admin area.
   
   

Enabling the Refine Filters add-on module

After the Refine Filters add-on module installation has been completed, the module is enabled and working.
You can disable/enable the module as follows:

1. In Admin area, go to the Modules section (Settings menu->Modules).
2. Choose the Refine Filters module by selecting/unselecting the respective check box on the left.
3. Click the Apply changes button. This activates/deactivates the module.

Configuring the Refine Filters add-on module

After the Refine Filters add-on module has been enabled in your store, you should check and adjust its configuration:

1. In the Modules section of your store's Admin area (Settings menu->Modules), click the Configure link opposite the module name ('Refine Filters'). The module configuration page (titled by the name of the module) opens.
2. Adjust the settings on the module configuration page as needed. Detailed information regarding the Refine Filters add-on module configuration settings is available below.
3. Click Apply changes to save the changes.

Refine Filters add-on module configuration settings

Here are a few notes on how to adjust the Refine Filters module configuration settings:

General section

• Enable dynamic filtering (this may slow down your server): Enable/disable dynamic filtering. With dynamic filtering enabled, filters will be dynamically adjusted to your customers' needs based on the selections of filter attributes your customers make: as soon as a customer selects a certain filter attribute, the attributes that would render zero search results if combined with the selected one will appear grayed out.
  The snapshot below shows how the options 21.5-inch, None and 27-inch in the Display section of the filter appear grayed out after we have selected the Notebook option in the Type section (which is explained as being due to the fact that we do not have notebooks with 21.5- and 27-inch displays - nor notebooks without a display - in our demo store):
  
• Max number of categories in search results (0 - unlimited): Specify the maximum number of category names that can be displayed in the Filter box on search results and manufacturer pages. If a greater number of categories is found, a link to the full list of found categories will be provided.
  For example, if the 'Max number of categories in search results (0 - unlimited)' option were set to "5", and a customer's search returned products from eight categories, the Filter box would look as follows:
  
• New filters are enabled by default: Enable this option if you want all new filters generated by the module to be enabled (available to customers) by default in all your store's categories.
• New filters are expanded by default: Enable this option if you want all new filters generated by the module to be expanded by default in all your store's categories.
• Price filter view: Select the view of the price filter that should be used in your store (numeric slider or price ranges).
  
• Price ranges (comma separated): Define the price ranges for your price filter (This setting needs to be adjusted only if you have chosen to use the price ranges option for your Price filter view). For example, if you want ranges like "$1-$5", "$5-$10" and "$10 and above", the value of the 'Price ranges (comma separated):' field should be "1,5,10".

Data Sources section

This section allows you to enable/disable the data sources on which filters are generated. For example, you may disable all but extra fields so your filters are generated based on extra fields only (Other data sources, such as product options and Feature Comparison classes, will not be used). There are also options for special filters like "Free shipping". You can hide this filter by deselecting the respective check box.

Note that this section controls filters globally for all categories. If you need to show a filter for a certain category, but hide it for other categories, you should adjust its availability for each category specifically via the Refine Filters page (see the section Managing Refine Filters below).

Appearance section

In this section you choose the types of pages on which refine filters are to be displayed in your store:

• Display filters on category page: Enable this option to display filters on category pages.
• Display filters on search results: Enable this option to display filters on search results pages.
• Display filters on manufacturers page: Enable this option to display filters on manufacturer pages.

You can also adjust other settings affecting what your customers will see:

• Show filters classes info at product details: This option displays defined filter classes on the product details page in the Customer front-end.
• Show dynamic range for sliders: This option applies only when dynamic filtering is enabled. By default, there is a blue bar on the numeric sliders which shows the actual numeric range for the filtered products. By turning this option off you can hide such blue bar and thus simplify the sliders a bit.
• Disable checkboxes for unavailable attributes in dynamic filtering: This option applies only when dynamic filtering is enabled. Filter attributes which are not available for filtered products will be gray-out, but the corresponding check boxes will not be disabled (thus allowing to result in "0 products found" if selected). If you want to disable checkboxes for unavailable attributes, turn this option on.
• Truncate long attribute names to XX characters (0 - do not truncate): You may find that the names of some filter attributes in your store are too long to fit in the 'Filter' box nicely: attribute names consisting of several words may be wrapped into multiple lines, and especially lengthy words may be clipped at the border of the 'Filter' box making the entire box look quite ugly. The setting 'Truncate long attribute names to XX characters' allows you to keep long attribute names from breaking your store's design by specifying the maximum allowed attribute name length after which attribute names must be truncated. Specify the maximum number of characters to be displayed, and any number of characters in an attribute name exceeding this value will be clipped and represented by an ellipsis; your customers will still be able to read the entire filter attribute name in the tooltip displayed when the mouse cursor is moved over the truncated attribute name. If you do not wish to use truncation for lengthy filter attribute names, set this value to "0" (zero).

Managing Refine Filters

Filters can be configured on the ‘Refine Filters’ page in your store's administration back end. This page can be accessed by clicking the Refine Filters link in the Catalog menu.

Once you open this page you will see the category selector:

This selector allows you to choose a category for which you want to view or manage filters.

Note: All refine filters are tied to categories. Even though filters are displayed on search results and manufacturer products pages, customer will always see filters for either the most popular category (for current search criteria) or will have to choose a category to see filters.

After choosing a category from the dropdown, you will see the 'Filters' table displaying the list of filters automatically generated by the module for this category and their respective settings:

The following information is available about each filter:

• Source: Filter source. By default all filters are enabled, but you can globally turn some filters off using the Data sources section on the Refine Filters add-on module configuration settings page.
• Service name: Service name of the filter. This is a unique identifier of a particular data source (e.g. service name of an extra field, class name of a product option &etc.)
• Title: Display name of the filter. This value is displayed to customers as the title of the filter.
• Enabled: Whether he filter is enabled or disabled.
• Filter view: Visual representation of the filter for customers (Multiple selector, Yes-No selector or Numeric range (slider)).
• Unit: Measurement unit for the numeric value (like "cm", "in", "g", etc). Applicable for "Numeric range" filters only.
• Expanded: Whether your customers see the filter as expanded on first page load. If the "Expanded" property is turned off for the filter, on first page load the filter attributes will not be shown to customers, so the customers will need to expand the filter first. This may help you save some screen space.
  The snapshot below demonstrates the look of expanded filters vs. collapsed:
  
• Max attrs: The maximum number of filter attributes displayed in the 'Filter' box before the "More..." link. Applicable for "Multiple selector" filters only.
  The snapshot below demonstrates the look of the Color filter with the maximum number of attributes defined as "4":
  
• Columns: The type of layout used to display the attributes of this filter in the 'Filter' box (1-column, 2-column or Auto). Applicable for "Multiple selector" filters only. The Auto option means that with a number of attributes smaller than the value of the Max attrs field multiplied by two, the attributes are displayed in a single column, whereas a greater number of filter attributes is displayed in two columns.
  
• Pos: Position of the filter in the filters list in the Customer area.

You can adjust the settings for any filter(s) in the category by editing the respective fields in the 'Filters' table. After you're done editing the filter settings, be sure to click the Apply changes button save the changes.

It is possible to spread the filter settings of the selected category to all its subcategories: select the Including subcategories checkbox and click Apply changes.

Using filter classes for filters

As has been mentioned above, the Refine Filters add-on module can use the Feature Comparision module Product classes as a data source for generating filters. We are sure the owners of X-Cart based stores using the Feature Comparision module will find it a great feature. Unfortunately, not everyone has Feature Comparision, so we decided to re-create the Product classes functionality within the Refine Filters add-on module. This functionality was given the name "Filter classes". Filter classes work similarly to Products classes in the Feature Comparision module and can be used to define additional properties (attributes) for products.

Filter classes can be defined and managed on the 'Filter classes' page in the Admin area. This page can be accessed by clicking the Filter classes link in the Catalog menu.

Addding product classes

To create a product class:

1. Go to the 'Filter classes' page in your store's Admin area (Catalog menu->Filter classes). If you have not yet added any filter classes before, on this page you will see a form titled 'Add product class'. If you already have some filter classes in your store, click the 'Add product class' button below the product classes list - the 'Add product class' form will be opened.
   
2. In the 'Add product class' form, specify the details of the new product class:
   • Product class: The product class title.
   • Enabled: Whether the class should be enabled or disabled.
   • OrderBy: The position number of the product class (This affects the order in which product classes are displayed).
3. Click Add. The product class will be created.

After you click the Add button, another screen appears: now you see the 'Modify product class' form. This form contains the details of the new product class you have just created. Now you must review (and, if necessary, edit) the product class details and define product class options (features) for the class.

To define product class options:

1. At the bottom of the 'Modify product class' form, locate the 'Add new option' section.
   
2. Use the 'Add new option' section to define the details of a product class option:
   • Option: The option name.
   • Option type/Format: The option type. See the section 'Notes on option types' below for more info.
   • Enabled: Whether the option should be displayed to customers.
   • OrderBy: The position number of the option in the list of product class options.
   • Variants: (These need to be entered only if applicable) Names of option variants, each variant name starting on a new line.
3. Click Add. The product class option will be created and added to the list of options in the 'Product class options' section of the form.
4. If applicable, specify the format in which specific values of the option should be displayed (Option type/Format column). Click Update to save the changes.
5. Repeat the above steps as needed to add more product class options.

Notes on option types

Below is the list of option types supported by filter classes. These types determine the way in which providers and customers can input data into the fields corresponding to product class options.

• Text field: This is a simple text field into which custom text can be entered. Any characters entered into a field of this type are regarded as text. This option type requires the option field format to be specified (Input box or Text area, depending on the amount of text that needs to be entered).
• Single option selector: This is a field displaying a predefined set of values from which only one can be selected. This option type requires variants to be provided.
• Multiple option selector: This is a field displaying a predefined set of values from which several values can be selected. This option type requires variants to be provided.
• Numeric field: This is a field that allows users to enter numeric values so they are treated as numbers (which allows customers to search for products using number ranges). This option type requires the option field format to be specified.
• Boolean field: This is a field from which only one of the two values can be chosen: Yes or No (signifies presence or absence of some feature).
• Date field: This is a field that allows users to enter dates. This option type requires the option field format to be specified.

Viewing the list of your store's product classes

After at least one product class has been created, you will be able to see the list of your store's product classes on the 'Filter classes' page (Catalog menu->Filter classes).

Deleting product classes

To delete one or more product classes:

1. Go to the 'Filter classes' page in your store's Admin area (Catalog menu->Filter classes).
2. In the 'Filter classes' form, specify the product classes you would like to remove by selecting the check boxes next to their titles.
3. Click Delete selected. The selected product classes will be removed.

Updating product classes' availability/OrderBy

You can change the availability status of your product classes and the order in which they are displayed:

1. Go to the 'Filter classes' page in your store's Admin area (Catalog menu->Filter classes).
2. Use the 'Filter classes' form controls to adjust the 'Enabled' and/or 'OrderBy' properties of one or more product classes.
3. Click Update. The changes will be saved.

Editing product class details

To change the details of a product class (title, availability status and OrderBy position number) or its options, use the following procedure:

1. Go to the 'Filter classes' page in your store's Admin area (Catalog menu->Filter classes).
2. Click on the title of the product class you want to edit. This opens the 'Modify product class' form.
   
3. Adjust the filter class details (title, availability status and OrderBy position number) as needed. Be sure to click Save to save the changes.
4. If necessary, use the the 'Product class options' section of the form to add, edit or delete product class options.

Deleting product class options

To delete one or more product class options:

1. In the 'Product class options' section of the 'Modify product class' form, select the check boxes next to the names of the product class options you want to delete.
2. Click Delete selected options.

Editing product class options

To edit product class options:

1. In the 'Product class options' section of the 'Modify product class' form, adjust the settings of one or more product class options as you require.
2. Click Update.

To edit the variants of a product class option:

1. In the 'Product class options' section of the 'Modify product class' form, click on the option variants you want to edit. The 'Variants setup' box appears:
   
2. Use the 'Variants setup' box to edit the contents of the variants section:
   • To rename one or more of the existing variants, change the names of the variants you want to rename and click Update.
   • To delete one or more of the existing variants, select the check boxes next to the names of the variants you want to delete and click Delete selected variants.
   • To add a new variant to the list, enter a name for the new variant in the 'Add variant' subsection and click Add.
   • After you have finished editing, click on the X ('Close') sign in the top right corner of the 'Variants setup' box. The box will be closed.

Assigning product classes to products

After the necessary product classes have been defined, they need to be assigned to products.

Note: It is not necessary that all the products in the store have a product class: assign product classes only to the products that you want to be filtered by filter classes.

To assign a product class to some product:

1. Find the product and open it for modification.
2. Click the Filter class link in the section menu.
   
   The 'Assign filter class' form will appear.
3. From the 'Product class' selectbox in the 'Assign filter class' form, select the product class to which you want to assign the product.
4. Click Apply. The product class will be assigned. The 'Product class options' form will appear below the 'Assign product class' form.
   
5. Use the option fields in the 'Product class options' form to assign the necessary option values to the product being modified.
6. Click Update. The changes will be applied.