🛒 OpenCart Course Outline

Course Code: 21066-CS
Duration: ⏳ 7 Weeks
Format: Hybrid / Online

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🧭 Introduction

OpenCart is a free, open-source e-commerce solution known for its simplicity, scalability, and powerful features. This course provides learners with hands-on experience in configuring, managing, and customizing OpenCart to create fully functional online stores.

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📘 Course Description

Participants will explore the full lifecycle of setting up and managing an OpenCart store—from installation and configuration to theme customization, product management, and SEO optimization. Through real-world projects, learners will gain the skills needed to launch and maintain successful online businesses.

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🎯 Course Objectives

• Understand OpenCart architecture and core functionality

• Learn to install, configure, and launch OpenCart-based stores

• Manage products, inventory, customers, and orders

• Explore theme and module customization

• Apply security measures, performance tuning, and SEO strategies

• Prepare to deploy and scale professional e-commerce websites

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📚 Detailed Course Outline

1️⃣ OpenCart Overview

• History and purpose of OpenCart

• Comparison with other platforms (e.g., WooCommerce, Shopify)

• Understanding MVC-L (Model-View-Controller-Language) architecture

2️⃣ Installation & Setup

• System requirements and hosting needs

• Manual vs auto-installation methods

• Post-installation configuration basics

3️⃣ Store Configuration

• Localization: languages, currencies, tax settings

• User roles, permissions, and security settings

• Store settings and operational preferences

4️⃣ Catalog Management

• Adding and organizing products

• Categories, attributes, options, and filters

• Managing images, pricing, and inventory levels

5️⃣ Customer & Order Management

• Creating and managing customer accounts and groups

• Order lifecycle: from cart to completion

• Shipping methods and payment gateways setup

6️⃣ Themes & Extensions

• Installing and customizing store themes

• Managing modules and extensions

• Intro to OpenCart custom development and VQMod/OCMod

7️⃣ Security & Performance

• Best practices for store security

• Backup strategies and update cycles

• Performance tuning for better speed and stability

8️⃣ SEO & Marketing Tools

• On-page SEO: metadata, URLs, and optimization

• Discounts, coupons, and newsletter integration

• Connecting to Google Analytics and marketing tools

9️⃣ Deployment & Maintenance

• Final testing and pre-launch checklist

• SSL, hosting setup, and going live

• Long-term maintenance, upgrades, and troubleshooting

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🎓 What You Will Learn

✅ Install and configure OpenCart from scratch
✅ Add and manage products, categories, and inventory
✅ Handle customer accounts and process orders
✅ Customize the look and features of your online store
✅ Improve performance, SEO, and security
✅ Launch and manage a fully functional e-commerce website

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👨‍💻 Target Audience

• Web developers and IT professionals moving into e-commerce

• Entrepreneurs and business owners launching online stores

• Digital marketers managing e-commerce platforms

• Business, marketing, and IT students

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🛠️ Required Materials

• Computer with local or cloud-based web server

• Latest OpenCart version: https://www.opencart.com

• Sample product and order data

• Access to OpenCart documentation and community forums

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🧑‍🏫 Instruction Methods

• Interactive live lectures and recorded demos

• Guided lab exercises and practice store setups

• Case studies and real-world troubleshooting

• Quizzes, mini-projects, and applied learning tasks

• Final capstone: Build, launch, and present a live store

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🗓️ Time Frame & Format

• Duration: 7 weeks

• Weekly Commitment: 3 hours

  • 1.5 hours lecture

  • 1.5 hours lab/project

• Format: Online or hybrid (live + recorded content)

• Modules: Weekly learning units with self-assessment tasks

• Assessment: Quizzes, assignments, and final capstone project

• Support: Instructor Q&A sessions and community discussion forums

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🏁 Learning Outcomes

Upon completion, learners will be able to:
💼 Build and manage professional OpenCart stores
📦 Organize and maintain product catalogs and customer data
🎨 Customize themes, modules, and site functionality
🔒 Apply performance, security, and SEO best practices
🚀 Deploy and scale e-commerce stores confidently