E-Commerce Overview - Web Development and Design Foundations with XHTML - page 502

This XHTML invokes a server-side script that processes a demonstration shop-
ping cart. The hidden field named desc1 and its value are sent to the script
when the Submit button is clicked. This passes the name of the item chosen to
the server-side script.
The process for adding the shopping cart button for the Jewel-tone Basket is
similar, using the hidden form field desc2 . The XHTML follows:
<form method="post"
action="http://www.webdevfoundations.net/scripts/cart1.asp">
<input type="hidden" name="desc2" id="desc2"
value="Jewel-tone Basket" />
<input type="submit" value="Place in Cart" />
</form>
m.The viewtrans.gif is an image that visitors click on to show the shopping cart.
Add anchor tags around the image to indicate that it is a special link to the
cart. The XHTML follows:
<a href="http://www.webdevfoundations.net/scripts/
cart1.asp?view=yes"> image tag goes here </a>
Save your page and test it in a browser. It should look similar to the one shown in
Figure 12.28. Click the Place in Cart button for the Sunny Days Basket. The demonstra-
tion shopping cart will display and your screen should be similar to the one pictured in
Figure 12.18 (except that no price information will display). Experiment with the cart
and try to select both items. You can simulate selecting gifts. The shopping cart and
order pages are for demonstration purposes only.
Web Project
See Chapter 5 for an introduction to the Web Project. Review the goals of your Web
site and determine if they include an e-commerce component. If so, you will add this
component to your Web project.
Hands-On Practice Case
Revise the Site Map as needed to include the e-commerce component. Perhaps you will
add a products page to your site. Perhaps the products page already exists and you are
just adding functionality to the page. In either case, make sure the Site Map and
Content Sheets reflect the new processing.
There are a number of free or low-cost shopping cart providers on the Web. Some are
provided in the following list. Your instructor may have additional resources or sugges-
tions. Choose one of the providers from the list to add a shopping cart to your Web site.
When you subscribe or sign up for these services, be sure to note any potential costs.
● Mal's E-Commerce (free and low-cost service): http://mals-e.com
● PayPal (there is a cost per transaction for this service): http://paypal.com
● JustAddCommerce (free trial): http://www.richmediatech.com
Save and test your page. Experiment with the shopping cart. Welcome to the world of
e-commerce!