Volusion is one of popular E-commerce Software Solution. Although Volusion has its own review system, people are more likely to use better review system which are more flexible and powerful. Recently I was involved in Volusion + Power Reviews project. I thought I could add Power Reviews Express on Volusion easily and quickly. Because I have some experiences about OSCommerce and Magento. I am also familiar with a few E-commerce related APIs such as eBay, PayPal, Shopzilla, FeDex, UPS, Endicia(USPS) and so forth. However, I was wrong, it took more time than I expected.
The steps involved in the integration are really simple, however, there was no resources about Volusion and Power Reviews since Volusion forums are open to only customers and Power Reviews doesn’t have the information about Volusion integration. Therefore, I had struggled with finding solutions when I faced problems. Fortunately, I found Volusion Live Chat Support and they gave me the answer right after asking. I love Volusion Live Chat Support. Thanks to them.
This document explains how to display Power Reviews on a single product and assumes that you have finished Power Review settings until “Step 4. Get Code” in Power Reviews Integration Wizard.
I recommend you to use two web browsers in order to access Volusion and Power Reviews at the same time.
I recommend you to use two web browsers in order to access Volusion and Power Reviews at the same time.
Step 1. Turn off built-in customer reviews
Turn off built-in customer review system if you are currently using it.
1) Go to “Inventory” -> “Products” -> “Products Settings”2) Uncheck on “EnableCustomerReviews” if it is checked.
3) Click on “save changes”
Step 2. Rename the tab name, “Extended Information” to “Reviews”
I use Extended Information field for Power Reviews. Of course, you can choose a different field like Technical Spec. Just rename it for displaying the correct field name on the front site.
1) Fill out any character in “Extended Information” field for testing.2) Click on “Save Changes”
3) Click on the yellow pencil next to “Extended Information” field.
– ConfigSetup window will be opend.1) Put “Reviews” in DataValue.
2) Click on “Save Changes.”
1) Open your store with your preferred browser.2) You will be able to see the renamed tab.
Step 3. Create two necessary categories on Volusion
Power Reviews requires me to put two URLs which will interact with Power Reviews.
Two required URLs are “Write Review URL” and “Resize URL”.
There is no way to put any files into Volusion, I add two categories and put the codes that Power Reviews provided into description field instead of putting files.
There is no way to put any files into Volusion, I add two categories and put the codes that Power Reviews provided into description field instead of putting files.
1) Add a category for “Write Review URL”2) Put Power Reviews codes (from Step 4) into “Category Description”
3) Remember the CategoryID
1) Add a category for “Resize URL”2) Put Power Reviews codes (from Step 4) into “Category Description”
3) Rembmer the CategoryID
Step 4. Finish Power Reviews Integration Wizard
Let’s move to Power Reviews Integration Wizard.
1) There are 3 steps involved in “4. Get Code”2) Copy & Paste all codes that Power Reviews provided into notepad or something like text editor.
3) The last step requires you to put two URLs.
4) Put the URL like
http://YOURSTORE.COM/SearchResult.asp?Cat=xxx
xxx is the CategoryID (from Step 3)
Finish the Integration Wizard by getting “Customize Review Display” done.
The “Go Live” button will be appeared when you are done.
DO NOT Click on The “Go Live” BUTTON.
In Live mode, you will not able to see reviews right after submitting. Because all testing reviews are sent to 1st level moderation.
The “Go Live” button will be appeared when you are done.
DO NOT Click on The “Go Live” BUTTON.
In Live mode, you will not able to see reviews right after submitting. Because all testing reviews are sent to 1st level moderation.
Step 5. Put common javascript into template_xx.html
You might notice that there are common Initialize Code while working on Power Reviews Integration Wizard. I put these codes between <head> and </head> in order to minimize javascript codes which I will fill out in Product Descriptions. In addition, these codes below will parse a product code from the URL. Therefore, I will not need to put each product code in Product Descriptions.
xx in template_xx.html is the template number that you are currently using.
Go to “Design” -> “Choose Template”, you will be able to find it. (xx – Template Name)
Go to “Design” -> “LiveEdit File Editor”, there is the template_xx.html file on Shortcuts.
Just click on it, then LiveEdit will be appeared with loading template_xx.html.
Copy the codes below by clicking on the second icon on the top right side. And replace WRITE_REVIEW_CATEGORY_ID with your category id (Review Write URL from Step 3). Also replace -FROM_PR- with your corresponding Initialize Code.
xx in template_xx.html is the template number that you are currently using.
Go to “Design” -> “Choose Template”, you will be able to find it. (xx – Template Name)
Go to “Design” -> “LiveEdit File Editor”, there is the template_xx.html file on Shortcuts.
Just click on it, then LiveEdit will be appeared with loading template_xx.html.
Copy the codes below by clicking on the second icon on the top right side. And replace WRITE_REVIEW_CATEGORY_ID with your category id (Review Write URL from Step 3). Also replace -FROM_PR- with your corresponding Initialize Code.
[code:js]<SCRIPT language=Javascript type=text/javascript>
function parseProductCode() {
var pathName = window.location.pathname;
if (pathName.indexOf(“/ProductDetails.asp”) != -1) {
var params = window.location.search.substr(1).split(“&”);
for (var i=0; i<params.length; i++) {
var values = params[i].split(“=”);
if (values[0] == “ProductCode”) return unescape(values[1]);
}
} else if (pathName.indexOf(“-p/”) != -1 || pathName.indexOf(“_p/”) != -1) {
var pos = pathName.lastIndexOf(“/”) + 1;
var workStr = pathName.substr(pos);
return unescape(workStr.substr(0, workStr.lastIndexOf(“.”)));
} else if (pathName.indexOf(“/articles.asp”) != -1) {
var params = window.location.search.substr(2).split(“&”);
for (var i=0; i<params.length; i++) {
var values = params[i].split(“=”);
if (values[0] == “pageID”) return unescape(values[1]);
}
} else
return “”;
}
</SCRIPT>
<SCRIPT language=Javascript type=text/javascript>
var pr_pn = parseProductCode().toUpperCase();
var pr_write_review=”/SearchResults.asp?Cat=WRITE_REVIEW_CATEGORY_ID&pr_page_id=” + pr_pn + “”;
var pr_read_review=”/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=” + pr_pn + “&Show=ExtInfo”;
var pr_style_sheet=”http://cdn.powerreviews.com/aux/-FROM_PR-/css/powerreviews_express.css”;
</SCRIPT>
<SCRIPT type=text/javascript src=”http://cdn.powerreviews.com/repos/-FROM_PR-/pr/pwr/engine/js/full.js”></SCRIPT>
[/code]
Make sure that “Config_Enable_Publish_Always_By_Default” is checked in Config Variables. Otherwise, you should click on “Publish” on the top of Admin Area.
1) Go to “Settings” -> “Config Variables”2) Check on “Config_Enable…By_Default”
3) Click on “Save Changes”
Step 6. Put Power Reviews javascript in a product!
Let’s apply Power Reviews to a product!
For the “Reviews” field, fill out with the code below.
When you click on “Reviews” tab (from Step 2) on the front site, reviews will be displayed.
When you click on “Reviews” tab (from Step 2) on the front site, reviews will be displayed.
[code:js]<DIV class=pr_review_summary>
<script type=”text/javascript”>
POWERREVIEWS.display.engine(document, { pr_page_id : pr_pn });
</SCRIPT>
</DIV>
[/code]
For both the “Product Description Above Pricing” field and the “Photo_SubText” field, fill out with the code below.
You may want to display only one review snippet. Put the code in both places, and make a decision where you want to display it.
You may want to display only one review snippet. Put the code in both places, and make a decision where you want to display it.
[code:js]<DIV class=pr_snippet_product>
<script type=”text/javascript”>
POWERREVIEWS.display.snippet(document, { pr_page_id : pr_pn });
</SCRIPT>
</DIV>
[/code]
For the “Product Description Short” field, fill out with the code below.
The review snippet will be displayed on search result and category browsing.
Be aware that you should replace PRODUCT_NO with the real product code.
The review snippet will be displayed on search result and category browsing.
Be aware that you should replace PRODUCT_NO with the real product code.
[code:js]<DIV class=pr_snippet_category>
<script type=”text/javascript”>
var pr_snippet_min_reviews=1;
POWERREVIEWS.display.snippet(document, { pr_page_id : “PRODUCT_NO” });
</SCRIPT>
</DIV>
[/code]
You are ready to use Power Reviews now!
To Do list
– Run .snippet .engine depending on request URL
– Parse each html document and display Power Reviews widget on appropriate location
– Write the document how to use Power Reviews without putting javascript
Ted
I am finding this causes an error with https page i.e. single page checkout
masterpc
Well, I checked up my site, and it worked properly with https.
If you give me your website url, I will try to figure it out.
Sean
Great post – thank you.
One question: on the last code snippit you say “Be aware that you should replace PRODUCT_NO with the real product code”. Wouldn’t pr_pn go there or do I have to put individual product codes for every product??
masterpc
Hi Sean,
I will post another article soon in order to explain how to use Power Reviews on Volusion without putting javascript.
I already finished it a few weeks ago, however, I couldn’t afford to write it down.
I am going to post it soon.