Defining categories of items

The portal can display items by category, so to use this feature you must define categories for your portal items. For example, if you are a bicycle parts manufacturer, you might include categories such as Headlights, Seats, Tires, and more.

Categories are optional; however, if you do not set up categories, then category search and browse features of the portal cannot be used. Customers can search only by item.

After categories are defined, you will create an item category hierarchy, or category tree, to organize items for display on the portal.

  1. Open the Item Categories form.
  2. Specify a category name and description.
  3. Right-click in the Category Banner field to load a picture that applies to the category and should be displayed across the top of the portal Products page. The picture is displayed when the You Searched For box on that page contains only one object, either a category or a category that includes a category set to Is Category Heading. The picture is not displayed if there is nothing in the You Searched For box or if more than one category object is in the box. This picture is needed for only top-level categories in the category hierarchy.
  4. Right-click in the Category Picture field to load a picture that applies to the category and is displayed on the Products page when multiple categories are shown. Category pictures are optional. If no picture is loaded, then the portal shows white space above the category title.
  5. If the category is to be displayed on the portal, select Active.
  6. If the category is to be a container for other categories, not items, in the item category hierarchy, select Is Category Heading. Category headings are displayed in larger and bold type on the portal.
  7. Use the Translations tab to create category descriptions in different languages. The descriptions are displayed on the portal based on the user’s browser language setting.
    Note: Do not use the Items tab on the Items Categories form for adding an item to a category for display on the Customer or Reseller portals. That tab is intended for item category setup for the Vendor Portal. The Item Category Workbench form is used for item category setup for the Customer and Reseller portals.
  8. Click Save.