Software Release Notes
Section: Usability Enhancements
 
Last Updated On: November 15, 2005

Usability Enhancements

In response to client feedback on the new Checkout features and functionality added in v4.2, this release includes enhancements to the Checkout workflow and customer experience. In conjunction with the flexibility introduced in the 4.2 release, these options allow each store owner to further customize their MonsterCommerce storefront to target their customers' needs.


Changed Location of the Customer Email Address

The display of the Email Address field has been separated into a new section below the Shipping Address fields. The new Email Address section contains three elements in the following order:

  • A customizable HTML textarea.
  • The email address label and field.
  • The ‘Add Me to Mailing List’ radio button.

The new HTML textarea above the Email Address field can be modified under Site Information >> Checkout Settings >> Global HTML (tab) >> Email Address Section. As a textarea this field can contain plain text, HTML, or be left blank to provide the most design flexibility. no text at all.

If plain text is entered in this field the text is displayed in the Checkout Note font. The default value of this field when v4.2.1 is released is:
"<span class="checkoutheader">Enter Your Email Address</span>"

A new site setting has been also been added to allow a Store Admin to change the label of the Email Address field displayed checkout. Specify a new label for this field under Site Information >> Checkout Settings >> Global Settings (tab) >> Email Address Field.
The default value for this field when v4.2.1 is released is:
“Email Address”.

Note: In the Order Review section of checkout, the display of the Email Address is included with the customer's Billing Information.


Default Billing to be Same as Shipping Address

Within the Address step of both the 2-Step and 4-Step Checkout, the customer specifies Yes or No for the option "Billing Address is Same as Shipping Address". With the release of v4.2.1 this option will default to 'Yes' for this option for New and Guest Customers entering Checkout.

For Registered Customers that log into their account before or when entering Checkout, this option defaults to 'No' so the Billing and Shipping Address information specified within the Customer Account is applied. The Registered Customer can change this setting for a particular order.

Can I decide if this option should default to Yes or No?

Yes! Under Site Information >> Checkout Settings >> Global Settings (tab) >> Billing Address is Same as Shipping Address you can select "Default to Yes" if you would like the option "Billing Address is Same as Shipping Address" to be set to Yes when your customers enter Checkout. You can also select "Default to No" if your customers tend to have a different billing address than their shipping address.

Note: To allow Customers to checkout with a different billing and shipping address, the setting in Order Processing >> Shipping >> Shipping Manager >> Allow Billing & Shipping Address to be Different must be set to Yes.

Display Selected Custom Methods above Real-Time Rates

Along with a preferred real-time shipping carrier, a Store Admin may have one or more Custom shipping methods to promote. A new feature has been added that allows selected Custom shipping method rates to display on the page at the same time the rates for a real-time carrier are displayed

Within the Custom Shipping tab of the Shipping Manager a new checkbox is available for each custom method - the "Top Disp." checkbox. A Store Admin can check one, two, or all Custom shipping methods as "Top Disp." methods. If multiple Custom methods are selected to display at the top of the list the methods are then sorted by the Sort Order defined for each method.

If a Custom method is checked to display at the top of the shipping options list then it is not displayed again in the group-by-carrier area. The logo defined for Custom shipping methods and the text label for this group-by-carrier are displayed only when Custom methods are displayed in the group-by-carrier section.

How do I select which Custom Shipping Method(s) should display on top?

Under Order Processing >> Shipping >> Shipping Manager >> Custom (tab) >> Top Disp. (checkbox) you can check the checkbox if you would like this Custom Shipping Method to display at the top of the display of available shipping options. Through a new checkbox for each Custom Shipping Method a Store Admin has the ability to display selected Custom Shipping Methods at the same time as the rates of the default Real-Time carrier.

View the Changes to Shipping Manager v4.2+ QuickGuide for additional details on the new 'Top Display' option for Custom Shipping Methods.

Which shipping method is selected by default?

The first shipping method displayed on the page is selected by default when the customer enters the shipping selection step of Checkout. The available shipping methods are displayed in the following order, then by Sort Order:

  • Product-based Free Shipping (i.e. the product(s) in the cart are checked as Free Shipping).
  • Custom Shipping Methods checked to "Top Disp."
  • Shipping Methods for the default carrier (i.e. the carrier with the lowest Sort Order).
  • Carrier name and links to view list of rates for additional carriers.

Hide the Checkout Navigation Steps

The Checkout Setting has been added to allow Store Admins the option to display or hide the Checkout Navigation Steps that display at the top of each page of checkout. This display setting can be modified under Site Information >> Checkout Settings >> Global Settings (tab) >> Display Checkout Navigation Steps.


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