Place Ad in Category customisation

[tidy]

I would like to know if it is possible (either built in, with an existing mod, or with some straightforward PHP coding) to link directly to step 2 of the Place an Ad process?

My prospective client feels that the Place an Ad process involves a lot of screens at present, but I do not think reducing the number of screens would be feasible.

However, they would like to have 'Place Ad in this category'' link on each category page, which ideally would bring them to step 2 of the Place an Ad process (the package selection screen), skipping the category selection screen at least.

Is this possible?

Thanks for your time.

[bowers01]

have a look at templatecodes.com they have a module for quick check out, maffo had a good one to at classified-software.co.uk but he hasnt been around for a while so i dont know if he is still selling.
Nick

[Lhotch]

If you look at the step1 template you can see the form has a submit button, 2 hidden values (ie step and listingid) and a select which holds the category.

Then look at step2.php and you can see the script uses request to collect the form data from step1 so you should be able to just dynamically create a link to step2.php that has the variables in it asociated with the category the user is viewing so clicking the link will take them right to step 2 and the appropriate category will be passed along.

[tidy]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'll take a look at those modules Nick.

Thanks for the info Larry. Since I don't yet own the script, I can't see this sort of stuff for myself. Can those variables be set by query string parameters or only by post do you know? I'd rather not get into simulating form posts.

Thanks again,
Janine.

[Lhotch]

step 2 uses "request" so either POST or GET should work. So the url query string should pass them fine.

[seymourjames]

This could work nicely. One little problem to consider is if the category does not accept adverts because it is a holder of other categories. This may or may not be your case. For example, you may have a category called boats but you only allow adverts to be placed in its subcategories, sailing yachts and motor boats. I believe it is step 1 where that test is normally undertaken to say whether adverts are accepted or not.

The current Easycheckout module cuts about half of the steps out by eliminating steps towards the end of the process. It works for free and paid listings.

[tidy]

Thanks for getting back to me. Good that step 1 could be skipped. The site would just have 4 categories starting off, so the subcategory complication would not arise.

I am interested in your module James, but would like to see a demo to see how much it cuts out. Is it up and running on My Classifieds Website I can't see what's different about the checkout process there?
I tried registering on My Classifieds Website but my account won't activate.
Would it be possible to use your module in conjunction with using direct links to step 2 with query strings from the category pages to cut out the category selection?

Thanks,
Janine.

[seymourjames]

That would be a customization you would need to do with the module but i do not see why it would not be feasible.

It is on the second site you mention which is a development site so not always stable. You should be able to create yourself a demo login. and try it out.

[tidy]

Thanks James,
I've been able to register and try it out now. I have some queries on what it does, but I now realise there is a special thread for this module at http://www.68classifieds.com/forums/...assifieds.html, so I'll post my queries there instead of cluttering up pre sales.

Many thanks to everyone who has been so helpful answering my pre sale queries.