A Quick Look at OpenCart 2.0

Posted by Paul on October 31, 2014

Finally the long-awaited OpenCart 2.0 has been released to the public for use. The new version of our favourite ecommerce platform has a whole host of major new features and improvements. Here are some of them.

Responsive Default Theme

Pretty much all new websites need to be responsive these days so that they adapt to look optimized on mobile phones and tablets.

Many developers, when creating a new theme for OpenCart, base this on the default theme that comes with the platform so it's great that this new theme now responds beautifully to the device it's being viewed on.

Here they are side-by-side:

1.5.6		2.0.0

Only part of the page is visible in OpenCart 1.5.6		The theme elegantly puts all elements in place, reducing the size of the main banner and adding a "hamburger" menu.

Automatic Extension Installer

Although usually simple for web developers, installing an extension or theme used to be a little daunting for most merchants. They would have to unzip their extension and then upload it via FTP, hoping that they wouldn't destroy their site. OpenCart 2.0 comes with an extension installer that allows you to click a button and upload the extension to automatically install.

Responsive Admin Area

As well as a responsive front-end, you can now easily access the OpenCart backend on your mobile or tablet. Great news for merchants who want to update and edit products while in the warehouse or showroom.

New Payment Gateways

There are some great new payment gateways included by default such as:

Authorize.Net (SIM)
BluePay Hosted Form
BluePay Redirect (Requires SSL)
First Data EMEA Connect (3DSecure enabled)
First Data EMEA Web Service API
Realex Redirect
Realex Remote

Recent Activity Panel

This shows what's happening on your site, in real time.

Custom Customer Fields

This is great news if you want to get to know your customers a little better. Just add some additional fields in the Sales > Customers > Custom Fields section and customers will then be able to fill these in when they register.

Are you using OpenCart 2.0 already? What do you think? Looking to upgrade, but wondering what's involved? Let us know in the comments below!

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Testimonials

Wow, I am speechless. Thank you so much, this is perfect !!!! Thank you, thank you !!!

Marios Pantelli, Sewing Machine Company

Good to work with, very straight forward

Grant Berry, Home World

Taken on both smaller and large projects to a very high standard. Delivered on time, with a professional level of service. Always better than we envisioned. Staff are always ready to help with any issues we have. Really pleased with the results of Antropy, and hopefully we can do more business together in the future!

Josh, Toyland Toyshop

The deliveries are now incredibly clear and there is no more admin work on this side which is excellent. It’s amazing really and I think our customers enjoy knowing exactly when they are getting it unlike nearly every other furniture company out there! Thanks for this.

Jonathan Haskins, Get Laid Beds

Thanks again for all your hard work on the 3D renders … the results have been fantastic and I look forward to working together again in the future.

Kim, Kimberley-Jane: Design

We worked with Antropy on our new webshop at kikgoes.nl in the past months. We have enjoyed working with them because of their extensive knowledge of Opencart and the rapid pace of development. We regularly added requirements to the projects and we've never had anything that couldn't be done. We look forward to working with Antropy again for new projects or adjustments to our webshop!

Joël van Daalen, Kik Cycleparts

Thanks for your hard work, it's very much appreciated.

Colin Farndale, CJF Motorcycles

Always helpful and extremely responsive to any request and once the project has been rolled out they continue to assist you with great help and advice to make the most of your website

Jamie Chandler, Newvotek

Excellent work, delivered in a friendly and consultative way throughout the whole process. For a small company such as my own it was great to be guided through the process, and all my requests were responded to and I felt involved from start to finish.

Phil Saville, Rook Systems

We found Antropy to be very responsive and approachable to work with. They gladly took our own designs and transformed them into an easy-to-manage website. Communication was easy and any requests for change were promptly done. Many thanks for the work!

John Caiger, Matraxis

Excellent company with outstanding knowledge of opencart and how to get the best from it. If you are looking for a reliable and professional company to work with I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these guys.

Ashley Morrison, Lockertek

After many years of trying to update my website, dealing with problematic code, delays, etc, I found Antropy about 10 years ago. I can not say enough great things about the quality of their coding and stability of my website along with the professionalism of their staff. I now have a well functioning website that has stood the test of time. Our site is an e-commerce site so that having it up and running is crucial to our business. On the rare occasion that there is a problem with the site, Antropy's team is quick and responsive to finding the problem and fixing it quickly.

Lynn Reznick, Off The Mark

Very impressed with the quick service! There is nothing more we need help with right now but we would certainly use you in the future for other issues or alterations we may have. Thank you very much!

Jemma, Aquafayre

Merged two previously HUGE separate sites (website and webstore) into one streamlined website with integrated store, with improved social media and mailing list results. Joe helped communicate complicated jargon into simpler terms, solved issues/queries quickly, and the follow up support has been invaluable.

Jo, Cold Spring Records

Thank you all for the hard work, it has paid off, it looks good. The logo is great to promote the practice and the website we can be proud of. Thank you again.

Biddy Arnott, Group Analytic Practice Ltd

We are really delighted with the finished product, it has far exceeded our expectations... Many thanks again for your support and setting up what I feel is the best Alzheimer's website in the country.

Lynne, MK Alzheimer's

Just wanted to say a big thank you for all your help and support thus far. You've been absolutely brilliant. You've given me absolute confidence that when there is a problem it is sorted which really gives me peace of mind.

Tracy, FLUX

We recently started using Antropy for our OpenCart website as internal IT is swamped and we needed back up and they have been great. Work is quick and efficient, we never need to ask for something twice and communication is good. Gives us confidence that when we need something to be done, it will be and to a high standard.

Dominic Old, The Wasabi Company

Firstly, thanks ever so much to you and your team for getting these two sites up and running. It’s a pleasure to work with people who are so helpful and responsive to our requirements. We’re very happy with both sites and all seems to be working fine.

Aidan, Nauticalia

Antropy not only gave freely of their time to talk with me, they had the patience to teach me as we went along. They came up with various ideas that allowed me to choose what I liked best and with their guidance we got exactly the website we dreamed about.

David, RC Geeks

A Quick Look at OpenCart 2.0

Responsive Default Theme

Automatic Extension Installer

Responsive Admin Area

New Payment Gateways

Recent Activity Panel

Custom Customer Fields

Testimonials

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