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Configurations are, alongside product data, texts from the text maintenance platform, and templates, among the most important components for building and operating a WEBSALE shop. They contain the settings of each shop and are edited centrally in the Online Service Area (OSB) via the “Configurations” service. Different configuration types exist for different configurations — for example, a configuration type for commercial settings and shop messages, one for product ratings, or lists containing delivery countries. Configurations are usually divided into named sections that are delimited by start and end tags (similar to HTML). The section names are specified by WEBSALE. Each section contains parameters that define functions or output texts. You will find an overview of the function-specific configuration types and their structure under Configuration types. Editing and activating configurations is explained under Editing configurations. The individual configurations with their sections and parameters are described in the main Reference chapter. This page first gives you an overview of the initial settings after provisioning, then lists the available configurations, and finally introduces a tool for structured shop configuration.

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Initial settings at a glance

After WEBSALE has provisioned your online shop, you need to configure it. We will now show you which basic settings need to be checked beforehand.
  • Activating or deactivating the shop: By default, a new shop is automatically activated. You can also temporarily deactivate a shop or put it into test mode.
  • Main domain and additional domains: Define the domain and/or subdomain under which your shops should be reachable.
  • Language, character set, and date format: Depending on the country, it may be necessary to adjust the language and character set of the shop.
  • Currencies: Define the currency or currencies accepted in your shops.
  • VAT rates: VAT is calculated based on the prices stored in the online shop. VAT rates can be maintained both individually per product and in relation to the selected billing or delivery country. Since the introduction of the One-Stop-Shop procedure, for deliveries to EU countries you can use a VAT rate file provided by WEBSALE.
  • Payment methods: Next, you should set up and activate the payment methods required for your shop. Normally, it is sufficient to simply activate the pre-configured standard payment methods. Payment methods are only offered at order completion once they have also been enabled in the shop configuration shop.config.
  • Shipping methods: WEBSALE V8s not only enables you to set up standard shipping methods but also complex shipping cost calculations. With your own conditions, you can implement almost any shipping cost calculation.
  • Forms (Inquiry): Forms (Inquiry) can be created entirely according to your individual requirements to offer contact, support, or service forms for your customers. They can be integrated easily.
  • Email notifications: WEBSALE V8s provides you with a wide variety of email notifications.

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Overview of the available configurations

The following configurations are available in WEBSALE V8s. You will find a detailed description of each configuration with its sections and parameters in the Reference.
  • Salutation configuration (salutation.dat)
  • Rating configuration (prodrating.config)
  • Import file (prod.cfg)
  • Configuration wws-online-interface.config
  • Billing and delivery country configuration (country.dat and country_deliv.dat)
  • Discount configuration (discount.dat)
  • Shop configuration global.config (optional)
  • Server configuration (ws_access.conf)
  • Shop configuration shop.config
  • Title configuration (title.dat)
  • Configuration osb.config
  • Configuration wsautoexpdelcost.cfg
  • Configuration wsupload.config
  • Exchange rate configuration (currency.dat)

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Tool for structured shop configuration

When setting up a new WEBSALE shop, many commercial settings that should be used for the shop need to be taken into account. To help with this, WEBSALE provides a detailed questionnaire that makes it easier to agree on the specifications, points out any further need for consultation (for example on setting up external interfaces), and enables a structured configuration of the shop. The designer can use the questionnaire to gather the shop operator’s requirements. Alternatively, it can be handed directly to the shop operator to fill in. Please ask your contact person whether a completed questionnaire already exists. The questionnaire on commercial settings is available as a PDF document in the Materials section.