Change checkout process

[MM02]

I am using VM 2.0.12e and I have some problems with the checkout process.

If a user would like to buy something, I expect VM to guide him through all the neccessary steps. But instead, they see a page with a lot of links and much information - to much, I fear.
I would like VM to do the following

• Step 1: Display only a list of chosen products and prices
• Step 2: A form for the personal data
• Step 3: A form for choosing the payment
• Step 4: A form for choosing how everything should be shipped
• Step 5: An overview: Every entered information is displayed + button "Buy!"
• Step 6: A confirmation

Step 1 could be a shortened version of the current cart page
Steps 2, 3 and 4 seem already to exist, but not ordered
Step 5 could be just like the current cart page without the possibility to change the entered data
Step 6 already exists.

How can I achieve this new checkout process?

[AH]

I agree that the default templates for first checkout page (cart view) is pretty scary.

So make a copy of the relevant pages in your default template page for joomla, there are loads of posts on how to do this in the templating board.  Then modify the pages required.

[isaac89]

I agree that the default templates for first checkout page (cart view) is pretty scary.

So make a copy of the relevant pages in your default template page for joomla, there are loads of posts on how to do this in the templating board.  Then modify the pages required.

good answer!! i agreee with you

Mod edit: spam links removed after member complaint.

[AH]

I should have expanded on scary.

I mean that the layout looks too confusing.

The first page asks for addresses, why? This is the cart contents, not the checkout! 
Users want to see what is in their cart and look at overall price before they commit to buy.
Asking for addresses etc and showing the cart below this will scare away customers. (No stats to confirm this but wander around the best performing brands and take a leaf out of their cart and checkout! Not copy, but take a process flow view)
Same goes for asking for a username and registration, they only looked at the cart!

I want the customer to see their cart contents nice and clearly
When they have decided to buy I want to take them gently through to the point at which they pay showing them where they are in the process and where they go next, asking for the minimum of information on he way to facilitate this process.
(I even use a UK plugin that enables customers to complete address entry using just their postcode as input (nice and quick and great when I try and book the parcel delivery with my courier, as I guarantee the address exists!))


So I keep it clean and simple by modifying the templates originally provided in the default styling

Hopefully some will agree and some will disagree that is they joy of design!

But let us not forget that the best Joomla e-commerce solution is still VM2 and we should thank the team for their efforts in developing and maintaining a great open-source solution!

[MM02]

I was able to make all the changes by editing the files in the components\com_virtuemart\views\cart\tmpl folder.

But I still have one problem: VirtueMart seems to use

Code Select Expand

$this->checkout_task === 'confirm' to differ between step 1 and step 4 inside the "default.php"-file.
I want to show the "accept terms of service"-button at step 4 - but

Code Select Expand

$this->checkout_task === 'confirm' seems to be true only if the terms of service are already accepted. How can I change this?