Displaying Text on Section Details Pages

[nm-motorsport]

I am redesigning my Actinic store using the smart template and I have hit a problem that would seem simple to solve but I can't no matter how I try.

In my previous store which is still online, I had the sub-section titles come up on the section page. As I am now using the smart template, they come up in the left hand column so I no longer need them displayed on the section page. I've managed to remove them by ticking the override default settings on the layout tab and setting it to none. However, I want to put some text and an image on the section page. I have entered the text in the description box on the general tab but it does not display.

Can someone put me out of my misery!

[TraceyHand]

Presumably you've entered the text and image as a section then? but because you have your section layouts set to "none", it's not showing? (sorry, it's not clear from your post)

If you just want some general text and an image on this page.. how about using a fragment?

Sorry if I'm misunderstanding you.

[completerookie]

I have entered the text in the description box on the general tab but it does not display.

you have to understand some of the concept here.
the text entered into the description box on the general tab is ONLY shown when you show the parent page. - its designed to be the text displayed immediatly after the subsection words

if you want to add text to the section page (that is independant of the sub sections) then you need to put those as fragments.

on the section page, you have the top-section-layout - this traditionally displays sub-sections together with their descriptions, then you get all the fragments, then you get the bottom-section-layout - this again traditionally displays sub-sections together with their descriptions

so decide what you want, if you want sub sections to appear ABOVE the fragments, set the bottom-section-layout to "no layout" but if you want sub sections to appear BELOW the fragments, set the top-section-layout to "no layout"

you might need to re-read this reply to get it clear in your head.

[nm-motorsport]

Now I underdstand that the text may need to be entered as a fragment.

I'm still confused though. What is the purpose of the description box on my first section page (ie. the top section page which is the actual model of BMW with 4 other subsection pages below containing categories of different parts and accessories)? When I display the first section page, it just shows the subsection titles and there is no trace of the text I typed in the Description field of the section page. Where does this description appear?

[leehack]

Move up a level in your shop, you will see the text then, you can't have the section selected and expect to see the text as you are looking inside that section, NOT at that section.

[nm-motorsport]

I've managed it using fragments. I take it that the reason I can't see the text in the description box of the top section is because it shows on the main catalogue page which doesn't work until the website is uploaded??

[leehack]

whatever part of the site you select, you are always looking down a level, so to see a particular level, you need the select the one above it and look down on it etc. Imagine a family tree and its descendants, that is how it works. Just click on varying places and look at what shows in the preview window, its a pretty simple structure and should become clear if you take a few minutes clicking around and looking.

[pinbrook]

In my previous store which is still online, I had the sub-section titles come up on the section page. As I am now using the smart template, they come up in the left hand column so I no longer need them displayed on the section page.

you may actually want to reconsider this, to have the sections in the centre column as well as the left hand nav and helps people find their way around the site much more easily. Additionally it aids SEO as you have a few more keyword hyperlinks.

[nm-motorsport]

you may actually want to reconsider this, to have the sections in the centre column as well as the left hand nav and helps people find their way around the site much more easily. Additionally it aids SEO as you have a few more keyword hyperlinks.

It looks as though thats the way it is turning out. I just wondered whether it would look like duplication but I can see the advantages of what you are saying. I will also needs some serious SEO when its redesigned as I am sadly lacking in my knowledge of this.

[pinbrook]

i did what you proposed a year or so ago and found it really stifled the site, so I un did it quite quickly.

I feel all sites should offer several methods of navigation as visitors often have their preferred methods and by offering, left handnav,central column links, sitemap and so on you increase the likelihood of people sucessfully navigating your site with ease - hopefully converting to sales.

[nm-motorsport]

Jo - I agree it does look quite good now I have considered it.

One silly question, if I select a site map, where does it display?

[leehack]

www.yourdomain.co.uk/acatalog/sitemap.html as standard

[nm-motorsport]

The link in your posting returns an error page

[leehack]

Yes Nigel, cos you have to apply your actual domain name in place of where i have put YOURDOMAIN.CO.UK. Its a generic way of displaying a URL, where you then apply the logic to apply that for your particular site. I am not telepathic, so have no idea what your site is called.

[nm-motorsport]

Thats exactly what I did and as I said, it gave me a page not found error. My site is nm-motorsport.com so I entered

www.nm-motorsport.com/acatalog/sitemap.html