Product Management at OpenCart
Practical guide to create and manage your store products effectively
Start quickly
New to OpenCart? Follow these steps to add your first product in less than 5 minutes!
Organize your Categories
Charges are like shelves in your store. They help customers find what they're looking for fast.
Advice
Start with 3-5 main categories and add subcategories as your store grows. Examples: "Man > Blouses > Polo", "Woman > Shoes > Sports".
How to create category:
- Go to the menu:
Directory > Categories > Add New - Complete the basics:
- Name: Something clear and descriptive (e.g. "Polo Blouses")
- Description: A brief explanation of what the category contains
- Image: A representative photo for category
- Adjust the structure: If you want a subcategory, select "Parent Category"
- Make it visible: Enable "Top" if you want to be seen in the main menu
Add Selling Products
A good product in OpenCart needs more than a name and a price. See what makes the difference:
Caution
Model field is mandatory! Use a unique code for each product (e.g. "POLO-001", "JEAN-BLU-M").
The basic elements of a product:
- Name: Write a name that describes exactly the product. Instead of "blouse," write "Polo Blouse 100% Cotton Navy Blue"
- Description: This is your chance to convince! Write:
- What material is it made of?
- How it applies (normal, narrow, wide)
- Care instructions
- Because it's special.
- Value: Regular selling price (excluding VAT if tax classes are configured)
- Quantity: How many pieces you have available
- Minimum Quantity: The least one can order (usually 1)
- Remove Reserve: Select "Yes" to automatically reduce stock when selling
The secrets of good product images:
- Main image: Clean, with white background, product in center
- Additional images: From different angles, details, in use
- Size: At least 800x800 pixels for good analysis
- Format: JPG for photos, PNG for graphics with transparency
Advanced Options
Now that you have the basics, let's see how to make your products more attractive and functional.
Do you sell shirts in different colors and sizes? Choices are the solution!
How to create options:
- Create options:
Directory > Options- For colors: "Color" with values "Red, Blue, Green"
- For sizes: "Size" with values "S, M, L, XL"
- Add to product: In the "Selects" tab of the product
- Set values: You can have a different price for XL (+5€)
- Set stock: Different stock for each combination
Example
Polo blouse: Red/M (10 pieces), Blue/L (5 pieces), etc.
Features help customers compare products. Ideal for technical products!
Examples of characteristics:
- Clothes: Material, Country of Origin, Washing Method
- Electronic: Editor, RAM, Screen, Battery
- Home & Garden: Dimensions, Weight, Color, Material
Difference of Choices - Feature
Options: The customer must choose (size)
Characteristics: Simple information for comparison (material: cotton)
Types of discounts at OpenCart:
- Special Price: Temporary discount with dates (e.g. Black Friday)
- Quantity Discount: Cheaper if you buy a lot (e.g. 3+ pieces -10%)
- Group Discount: Different prices for wholesale, retail
Marketing Advice
You always show the old price deleted next to the new one. Customers love to see they win!
Optimization for Sales
You have the products, now let's make them sell!
The basics of SEO for products:
- SEO URL: Instead of "product-123", write "polo-mplooza-navy-blue-cotton"
- Meta Title: "Navy Blue 100% Cotton Polo Shirt | Store Name"
- Meta Description: "Buy high quality 100% cotton polo shirt. Available in many colors. Free shipping over €50."
- Alt Text on Images: "Navy blue cotton polo shirt for men"
Pro Tip
Use words your customers are looking for. Instead of skin, write "skin". Instead of "footwork," write "patch."
The perfect set of images for a product:
- Main image: Product alone, clear background
- Figure 2: Product in use (man wearing/using)
- Figure 3: Close plan to show details
- Figure 4: Different angle or color
- Figure 5: Size/dimensions (compared to known object)
Mistakes
- Pictures very small (under 500px)
- Very dark or blurred photos
- Watermarks hiding the product
- Old images with the wrong colors
Reviews are the #1 tool to increase your sales!
How to gain more reviews:
- Follow-up email: Email after delivery
- Incentives: 5% discount for review
- Good service: Happy Customers = Good Reviews
- Quick Answer: Reply to all reviews
Problem Solving
Their most frequent problems and solutions!
Check in order:
Common causes:
- Folder rights: The Folder
/image/catalog/Needs Rights 755 - File size: Very large images (>2MB) may not climb
- PHP Settings: Check upload max filesize in hosting
- Compression: OpenCart compresses automatically - check image settings
Step by step control:
- Was the choice created?
Directory > Options - Have the prices been added? e.g. "S, M, L, XL" in "Size" option
- Was it connected to the product? Product "Selects" tab
- Do prices have a quantity? If quantity = 0, it will not be shown
- Is the selection activated? Statус = "activated"
Solutions:
- Enable SEO:
System > Settings > SEO URL = Yes - .htaccess control: Make sure there is the .htaccess file
- Unique URL: Each SEO URL must be unique
- Characters: Only Latin letters, numbers and dashes (-)
Optimize your Product List!
Take advantage of our expertise to organize and view your products in the best possible way.