NetSuite Web Site Customization
If you have, or are considering using, NetSuite then you have come to the right place. We are NetSuite Web Site set up and customization experts.
This page provides a wealth of information about setting up a NetSuite Web Site; how to choose which way to use NS Web Presence and some pitfalls to avoid. It also provides a complete understanding of what we can do for you; how we can take over your NetSuite Web Site work and put a smile back on your face. Give us a call.
You'll love using NetSuite to run your business, but that doesn't mean you have to learn how to set up and code the web site sections. You're only going to do it once, so give that job to us.
If you are currently using NetSuite we can update your look or add additional features. We can join your team on a project basis and get your site live quickly and efficiently. We can re-code your existing web site to use NetSuite for shopping cart, inventory control and customer service.
Normally we have about a month waiting list, though currently we are booked solid three months in advance. We're that good and we are worth the wait. Give us a call. Contact us by calling 
at (805) 409-4300 or video conference via our AIM account:
Continue below to read more about how we can make NetSuite sing. (Many sections have additional content that goes into greater detail when expanded.)
NetSuite Web Presence setup
NetSuite is the world's most popular on-demand, integrated, CRM/ERP (customer relation management /enterprise resource planning) solution for growing and mid-sized companies. NetSuite enables companies to manage all key business operations in a single, integrated system. It is feature-rich and can be easy to use, once you get the hang of it. (Netsuite demo)
We can help by doing the initial set-up for your internal web presence or external catalog site. We can create a simple, standard NetSuite Web Presence site or have us include our exclusive, in-house-developed and supported features like price-breaks on category pages, multiple sites with one NetSuite account, and many more for those who have NetSuite Advanced Site Customization.
A NetSuite web site is template driven. That means, each piece of a web page (content, structure and look) is controlled by various forms and templates that can be customized. If you have looked within your NetSuite account you've seen the vast array of customization possible. Why learn everything about all those forms, templates and layout screens? You only need to set them up once. We're experts, let us set it up for you. You'll be surprised at what we can accomplish within the look-and-feel coding limits NetSuite imposes.
We are experts with HTML, CSS and JavaScript. And we've carefully determined the exact structure NetSuite uses to code web pages. Add our creativity and experience and very advanced customization & styles are now available. So, if you have a design or feature that is looks difficult, or even impossible, you've come to the right place.
Give us a call at the number on the right or connect via video conferencing. But first consider the three main ways to use NetSuite Web Presence.
Two Types of NetSuite Web Presence
There are two types of NetSuite Web Presence web sites: Internal site and External Catalog Site. Each has different features. Internal is used most often. All use the database for product information and shopping cart/checkout process. The main difference is where the product and informational pages are hosted and how content for the page is generated. Internal and external are mutually exclusive. Internal and WSHF can be used simultaneously.
Which is right for you depends on your situation. If you have a lot of products and add more all the time then an internal site may be the best for you. Additionally, Web Site Hosing Files can be used in an internal site for additional content or to make a very fancy home page. (Like the one we did for Motif Modern Living) If you have tons of pages currently on your site that are well placed on search engines and that placement is crucial for your business AND your pages do not end in .html then an External Catalog Site would be best as the URLs will stay as they are.
NetSuite Advanced Site Customization (ASC) allows for a great deal of web customization. Some NetSuite versions or packages have it built-in and with others it is an extra-cost option. ALL customization and setup we provide assume you have ASC.
Most Popular Customization
The most requested job for us is to have multiple items added to the cart at once while still maintaining the use of the 'Related Items' section. (Examples: external site, internal site) Some sites use this to add no-cost components to the cart, which we then hide from view. Others use it to allow their customers to add the main item and related items to the cart at the same time. Others use it to add options to complicated items.
The rest of this page details the standard set-up and custom features we can add to your site. At the bottom of the page is a list of very unusual customizations or newly implemented set-up features.
Standard NetSuite Internal Web Site
If you choose to go with an internal site you now have a dizzying array of templates and layouts to customize. We can take care of the ones that deal with Web Presence. Just provide us with content, look and feel ideas or designs and a "role" in your NetSuite account and we take care of the rest.
How long it will take and how much it will cost depends on what you need to have done and how big is your site. For larger sites, with lots of products, budget a few thousand dollars. (This will be significantly cheaper than you can find elsewhere.)
One reason we are better-faster-cheaper is our supply of exclusive code templates added to our thorough understanding of how each template and layout effects the entire page. This allows us to take your designs and efficiently build your web presence. Also, we have created custom features that go beyond what is normally offered to allow your site to look, and work, even better.
Here is a list of the standard services we provide for NetSuite Internal Web Sites. Read through this, and the next section which covers our exclusive customization, to get a full picture of what we offer. Then give us a call or connect via video conferencing.
Expand the below executive summary into a more detailed explanation, with samples.
Fill in all templates - we know where they are and what to put where, so you don't have to.
Implement desired look and feel - we can implement even the complicated designs.
Customize layouts - tabs, categories and items can all use custom layouts.
Improved Add To Cart button - the standard code doesn't look right in all browsers.
Customized home page - don't want to use a NetSuite generated template for your home page?
Set up DNS - we take the pain out of "going live."
Your own URLs - have your URLs not start with shopping.netsuite.com.
Custom favicons - instead of NetSuite's favicon you can have your own.
Google AdWords order tracking - track orders sent from AdWords keywords.
Fill in all templates - we know where they are and what to put where to get your site up and running. This saves you time and aggravation and you get a better job by letting a pro do it. Site templates control the <head> tag, header, active tab, inactive tab, footer, <body> tag, content area, add to cart button, right and left sidebars and portlets, plus a few other minor items. The item page has a whole other set of templates that you can use. You also get areas on each page that need to be filled in.
Each area works differently. What works in one doesn't on another. Knowing what goes where helps us get your job done efficiently.
Implement desired look and feel - we can make it look like anything you wish. NetSuite makes it easy to change a few simple color themes, but with our experience the sky is the limit. NetSuite allows web designers to add Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and custom JavaScript to the head or body of each document and provides for the addition of custom coding and images. With these tools we can make NetSuite look like anything you can dream of, even harmonize it's look with your current web site.
If your look is important to you then you'll need an expert with HTML, CSS, images, and NetSuite. Here we are. Give us a call.
Customize layouts - tabs, categories and items all use custom layouts. Each page needs to become "associated" with a layout. Knowing what to put where to get the look you want helps us get your job done efficiently.
Improved Add To Cart button - the standard code doesn't look right in all browsers. The "add to cart" button doesn't line up with the quantity. This is due to how NetSuite has coded that section. Fortunately they provide a template area to add custom code and we've come up with a solution that looks great in all currently known browsers.
SunburstBottle.com
wanted to have all their product categories as images right on the home page. This needed something very custom, like our Plop-ups. Check it out here.
Customized home page - if you don't want to use a NetSuite generated template for you home page we can help. Though there is a lot of customization available with NetSuite templates and layouts, sometimes you want your home page to be a bit special. If you do, give us a call. (Technically, we should be mentioning this only in the "Web Hosting Files" section, below, because we would use one of those for the customized home page. But since most site owners prefer we create a great home page for them we are also mentioning it here.)
Set up DNS - we take the pain out of "going live." As you know, NetSuite does not "host" your site. Not the way a normal web host that you may be used to using does. You do not place two Name Servers pointing to your NetSuite web site in your account at your Domain Name Registrar. NetSuite prefers Canonical Name (CNAME) and you need to use a registrar that allows you to add them.
Plus, you need your own email host. But be careful, if you don't set things up "just so" you can either break your ability to receive email or lose the use of http://yourcompany.com/ as a URL. After all that is set up you need to go into NetSuite and make a few changes. Then, after one to three days, your site will be live. Finally.
For instance, if you are using GoDaddy.com as the registrar for your domain name you will have to do the following: Figure out how you can get orders from your old site after you go live and test that process. (may have to FTP into an IP Address.) "Park" your domain name within your GoDaddy account. Wait a bit. When Total DNS Control shows up on the right of the Manage Domains section click on that. Don't do what NetSuite has instructed and make a CNAME with www.yourcompany.com pointing to shopping.netsuite.com INSTEAD change the CNAME that is already there for www from @ to shopping.netsuite.com. Go into Manage Domains and set forwarding; make yourcompany.com be forwarded to http://www.yourcompany.com. Now go into your godaddy email accounts and set them up. When that is done log into your NetSuite account and navigate to the Set Up Domains page. Make the appropriate changes to that page listing your URL and your home page. Now wait, you'll soon be live.
Or better yet, just call us at the number on the right, and let us do all the work for you. We're good at it.
Your own URLs - have your URL start www.YourCompany.com. Until you set up the DNS and go live all your URLs will start with shopping.netsuite.com then page specific code, including your private customer account number. We can help you change all that.
For instance, if someone has come back to your homepage from an inner page what URL would you rather they see:
http://shopping.netsuite.com/c.12345678/files/sites/index.html or
http://www.YourCompany.com/
In our opinion the later is better. We can help you set up your site to be that way.
And if we build customized left and header navigation (see below) then all your pages can have your URL, except for the final checkout process.
Custom favicons - instead of NetSuite's favicon you can have your own. Browsers developed this century all have your favicon in the location bar and sometimes in bookmarks. IE for PC uses it when it creates a favorite. It visually allows your users to know what site they are on and "brands" your pages. As a default, all NetSuite sites uses their favicon which looks like 
. Why would you not want your own brand image to be promoted?
We can take your current favicon.ico file and place it into your NetSuite web site or, if you don't have one now, create one for you using professional software made just for that purpose.
Google AdWords order tracking - Google, Yahoo and other pay-per-click advertisers allow for tracking the number of sales each keyword generates. (Google allows you to track ALL of your various advertisers with their code). Generally, a JavaScript is placed in the thank you page that links back to Google when a Google AdWord was clicked. It's great as you can tell exactly how many orders each keyword is bringing in with an immediate sale. (If they purchase later Google Adwords won't track it) To include this on your site we only need your Google AdWord account number.
Exclusive Customization for an Internal Web Site
We are particularly expert at making a NetSuite internal web site look and function in very specific or custom ways. Basically, (just about) anything you can think up— look-and-feel or functionality —we can put into a NetSuite internal site. There are a few features we alone can include on your NetSuite Web Presence internal web site. These features have been designed and coded by us after extensive testing. All are currently in use on live NetSuite Internal web sites and are exclusive to MVL Design; no one else offers these. You will need to have Advanced Site Customization feature for us to add most of these items.
Your cost for these features is only the time it takes for us to add them to your site. For detailed explanations click the "expand" link below.
Expand the below executive summary into a more detailed explanation, with samples.
Customized logo and header area - Looks, and functions, better
Multiple web sites/multiple carts/one NetSuite - use your one NetSuite cart for multiple sites.
Custom left navigation - if the standard, left, expanding navigation won't work for you.
Price breaks on category pages - show price breaks when customers first see products.
Customized logo and header area - Looks, and functions, better. This is a big one. We could type all day on the subject of your header. The top of the page is so important. Let's make it short and say that we can make your site and your navigation look like anything you can dream of. Anything.
By removing the code NetSuite normally places into the header and putting in a mix of custom code and NetSuite <NL...> tags, we can take control of your all important header.
This is especially important if you have a lot of Tab or Sectional pages. Having NetSuite place its standard tabs across the top can lead to an overly wide web site. Or can just be plain unappealing and hard to use. The only catch with customized headers is that bread crumbs lose the ability to be links. (If you don't know what that means then you really won't miss that feature)
Multiple web sites/multiple carts/one NetSuite - use your one NetSuite cart for multiple sites. The look and even the navigation of the entire site, including the shopping cart and checkout areas can be changed based on the referring web site, the page within your site visited or just about any variable.
For instance, www.MyCompany.com can have a sister site; www.AlsoMyCompany.com sell the same products but to a different audience or in a different language (literal or figurative) and both use your same NetSuite account. When users of www.AlsoMyCompany.com view their version of your site they see the logo or look designed for AlsoMyCompany.com.
Custom left navigation - if the standard, left, expanding navigation won't work for you. We can help.
In some ways the standard left navigation that NetSuite generates is great. Tabs expand out to show sections and sections expand out to show products. The downside is that it looks boring, uninteresting, and is always changing so could be confusing to some Internet users. It is also nearly impossible to make look like a real navigation bar, though system 10.5 helps, slightly, by adding custom-able list images.
SunburstBottle.com
See the Custom Left Navigation, Price Breaks on Category Pages, Centered Web Site and Full-width Screen Fix in action. Check it out here.
We've created an entire new system for left navigation that some will find much better for their particular use. The main tabs are always there, and expand out only to the category level, not the product level. Plus it can take any look you desire and as an added benefit, visually presents what tab and category you are visiting.
It is not for everyone but if it is for you then give us a call.
Price breaks on category pages - even NetSuite was shocked when we figured this one out. (Though the site owner was shocked that it wasn't a NS standard feature to begin with.)
Here's the deal. If you have quantity price breaks for your products it would be good for your users to know this when they initially see your product. However, NS only allows price breaks to show up on the Item pages (by the way of <%=getCurrentAttribute('item','salespricehtml')%> in a custom item template)
However, your customers will first see your products on a category page, which cannot use <%= (ASP) tags. They have to somehow know to click on each item and navigate to the item page in order to see quantity price breaks. For some this is unacceptable for their business. They live by selling large quantities of widgets and their customers expect price breaks.
If this describes your situation then we can but a smile back on your face. By placing a bit of code in each item's Store Description (for instance: <script>SW_cattbl('143 1.05 144 2879 0.95 2880 0.84');</script>), adding a little JavaScript and CSS finesse, we can get those price breaks to show up on category pages. It is a simple cut and paste for each item. (30 to 60 seconds per item, on average) And it looks great, too!
Web Site Hosting Files
Web Site Hosting Files are static pages placed in a particular location within your NetSuite account. They are used for creating a custom home page or moving a few pages from your current site over to NetSuite. A few NetSuite <NL...> tags are available to use on these pages, like <head> tag code, header and shopping cart portlet. Plus <%=getAttribute...> tags are available so you can place items on these pages. This will allow you to have the exact look you want yet still be within NetSuite. Typically, they are used in conjunction with an internal web site.
All the features and services listed in the previous two sections are available to your WSHF site. Besides carefully placing the files into your NetSuite account we can do the following:
Expand the below executive summary into a more detailed explanation.
Customized logo and header area - WSHF can use the regular NS header. We make it better.
Custom look and feel - since these are regular HTML pages they can take on any look.
Items placed on pages - special code is used to grab pricing, description and more.
Multiple web sites/multiple carts/one NetSuite - use your one NetSuite cart for multiple sites.
Customized logo and header area - WSHF can use the regular NS header which we make look and function better. This is useful as it allows for continuity when your customers go to the cart and checkout areas, allows for your users to be greeted by name, and gives dynamic log in/sign out buttons.
All the items written above about the internal site logo and header area apply here.
Custom look and feel - since these are regular HTML pages they can take on any look. Since they are hosted within your NetSuite account they can access images, prices, add to cart buttons, and more, so you can still manage your sites items from within the normal Lists >> Items pages. They are a little faster to load than external catalog sites.
Items placed on pages - special code is used to grab pricing, description and more. We can place that code on the pages so particular items are available for purchase, exactly where and how you desire. We know which <NS...> tags and which <%=getAttribute... tags to use.
Multiple web sites/multiple carts/one NetSuite - use your one NetSuite cart for multiple sites. The look and even the navigation of the entire site, including the shopping cart and checkout areas can be changed based on the referring web site, the page within your site visited or just about any variable.
For instance, www.MyCompany.com can have a sister site; www.AlsoMyCompany.com sell the same products but to a different audience or in a different language (literal or figurative) and both use your same NetSuite account. When users of www.AlsoMyCompany.com view their version of your site they see the logo or look designed for AlsoMyCompany.com.
External Catalog Site
We are experts with what NetSuite calls "External Catalog Site", which is a regularly hosted web site with NetSuite inventory, price, shopping cart and other back-end features. Special NetSuite code (externally called JavaScript) is added to your existing pages that "call" your NetSuite account to get price and inventory information as the page is being drawn. When a shopping cart view or checkout is desired only then do your users go to NetSuite generated pages.
If you have a large web site or only a few products and want to get started using NetSuite as soon as possible, then an External Catalog Site is the way to go. If your existing web site has good search engine placement for many different pages and that placement is important to you then an External Catalog Site would be a good solution, too. Once you move your whole site to an internal NetSuite site all your site's URLs will change and you will most likely lose your hard-earned placements.
If you have an existing web site with hundreds of pages, placing them within NetSuite may be too time consuming and costly. An External Catalog Site would be a good solution for you, too. Finally, with an external catalog site you have much more control over the look and feel and how your site is hosted and maintained. If you wish to continue to maintain your site in the way you are now, then this would be how to add NetSuite to your site.
Expand the below executive summary into a more detailed explanation.
Standard items we add to your External Catalog Site are:
Product purchasing code - sell products on any page of your site. We'll provide the code.
Items in cart/total purchase - show visitors how many items are in their cart and their total.
Standard inventory message - typically "in stock" or "out of stock."
Standard items we add to your External Catalog Site are:
Product purchasing code - sell products on any page of your site. We'll provide the code. NetSuite offers external JavaScript calls that return either a number or text. Each product has a slightly different code. We can help you determine the correct code to use, install it on your pages and get your site live in a short time.
One thing you need to know, these JavaScript calls can be a little slow at times. NetSuite suggests that you place as few as possible on a page if it has a lot of items. You can get pricing and inventory information for dozens of products on a page, with little noticeable difference, if you make description information static.
Items in cart/total purchase - show visitors how many items are in their cart and their current total. Each time a visitor adds an item to their cart this code is updated.
Standard inventory message - typically "in stock" or "out of stock." See below for great custom uses of the inventory message.
Exclusive Customization for an External Catalog Site
As NetSuite External Catalog Site experts we have developed a few stable features to add functionality for our clients. Below is a list of some of what we have done. You will need to have Advanced Site Customization feature for us to add some of these items.
All these features are exclusive to MVL Design; no one else offers these. Your cost for us to include these features is only the time it takes for us to add them to your site. For detailed explanations click the "expand" link below.
Expand the below executive summary into a more detailed explanation, with samples.
Out of Stock Message/Functionality - custom stock message or change functionality.
Shopping cart look and feel - make it look like the rest of your site.
Continue shopping: for real - make "continue shopping" to go to where your visitors last were.
Multiple web sites/multiple carts/one NetSuite - one NetSuite account for multiple sites.
"Simply Brilliant"
MAPI.com needed a way to purchase their organic cotton clothing line. See the way we handled it using the in stock / out of stock code. Check it out here.
Out of Stock Message/Functionality - An External Catalog Site is limited in how the out of stock messages appears. One of our clients wanted to have the Add to Cart button disappear and a custom message to appear when an item was out of stock. We did it for them, we can do it for your external site. (internal sites have a similar feature built-in.)
Same customer set up their products as one item per color and size. Five colors, four sizes and suddenly the page is huge with 20 different items and 20 Add to Cart buttons. Using the in-stock/out-of-stock message in a unique way we were able to make displaying and purchasing these items much more manageable .Check it out here
Finally, we can add a bit of functionality to the Add to Cart button. Use the above link and add and item to the cart. You'll know right away the item is being added. So in case it is a "slow day" over the Internet your customers will not double order.
Shopping cart look and feel - make it look like the rest of your site. If you have a look you want to bring on to the shopping cart/checkout pages then give us a call. We are experts at this. We've been handed "impossible" designs and have made them work.
Continue shopping: for real - NetSuite provides for an External Catalog site to have the Continue Shopping button on the view shopping cart page to return to only one set page. This is very limiting, especially for large external catalog web sites, as your customers have to navigate back to where they were to continue purchasing. We can change all that. We have developed code that will have the Continue Shopping button go back to the page your user was on when they clicked the View Cart button, no matter where they were on the Internet. (even at a related site selling your items) This is a big help to your customers.
The catch is that you have to be willing to have a purchaser stay on the page where the purchase was made instead of showing the cart each time. That's where showing the items and cart total comes in handy.
Multiple web sites/multiple carts/one NetSuite - use your one NetSuite cart for multiple sites. If you are willing to have a purchaser stay on the page (instead of showing the cart each time) so we can control the view cart button, you can have multiple sites use one NetSuite account. The look of the shopping cart can change based on the site accessing the cart.
For instance, www.MyCompany.com can have a sister site; www.AlsoMyCompany.com sell the same products but to a different audience or in a different language (literal or figurative) and both use your same NetSuite account. When users of www.AlsoMyCompany.com view their shopping cart they see the logo or look designed for AlsoMyCompany.com.
Additional Set-up and Customization Services
We are always expanding the NetSuite set-up and customizations services we offer. Here are a few new additions that have yet to be added to the above categories.
Custom forms. Links to custom forms that pre-populate fields based on who is logged in. Custom navigation of the Customer Center based on user role of person logged in. Automatically assign a promotional code to an order at the Review & Submit screen and even apply a discount based on the partner the user is associated. The list gets longer every week...
Give us your challenge
By now you get the idea: we make NetSuite sing. What song do you want us to have it sing for you?
We can help get your NetSuite project back on track, take you live, and provide custom training videos describing how to use our added features for your staff to view on their computers. Give us a call.
Contact us by calling at (805) 409-4300 or video conference via our AIM account: