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What you need to know before you buy osCommerce template.

- Are you getting template or complete cart?

It is better to get just a template. You can get a shopping cart software separately from original source. This way you can avoid getting older versions of cart software and minimize risk of bugs.

Another benefit, you might already start working on your cart settings and content and do not want to replace it. With template you will just add skin to your cart.

- Is the template follow osCommerce standards?

If the template was developed without following any osCommerce standards, you might end up spending a lot of time or additional money for developers editing or fixing the template. In addition, template might not be compatible with new modules added.

- Is template optimized for fast load?

Not everyone has fast internet. You need to know if template’s graphics were optimized and smart proportions of graphics were used to load pages faster even on slow connections.

- Is template compliant with W3C standards?

In order to achieve best cross browsers compatibility and best search engines result you need to make sure that template does not severely violates standards and adds error to your shopping cart. If you see no errors this is an indication that proper testing procedures were taken by the development company. It is a very positive sign.

- Will you get template support and help in installation or customization.

Check what is covered by support. It is understood that you will not get any company to provide free customization support, but check if you can get hints or suggestions in case you do customization for template.

- Check if there is extra value in the template.

Some templates can have extra functionality, modules that are hard to see the first time you look at the demo. Look in few pages.

- Will you get an upgrade if new version of the cart is released? How much it will cost?

It is important, if you plan to be in business for a while and new cart versions will be released, you need to know if template development company will help you to upgrade and what the cost will be.

- What else to worry about?

Do not fall for pretty look. This does not indicate anything yet. Check all the above first.