Just need some experienced users advice

-- url of the page with the problem -- : eww.ariesgamesandminis.com
-- HikaShop version -- : 2.3.5
-- Joomla version -- : 3.3.6
-- Browser(s) name and version -- : Google Chrome

All,

I'm in need to replace my template of my site. It served it's purpose for getting my site up & running, but at the time, my webmaster did not know that it was not "hikashop" compliant (i.e. there's been a LOT of issues with Hikashop that have come back to being template related). I recently installed K2, and well...guess what, template issues AGAIN.

Now, I will preface this with...I'm still a lowly novice. I've learned a lot in the 2.5-3 years since I had to let go of my webmaster & take over my site myself without knowing a SINGLE THING about doing it (a BIG thank you to the support here & over at Joomla!). My old webmaster has offered to help me if needed...but I would like to try & do this myself.

So...I've been searching, and searching, and searching for templates that are designed for Hikashop first & foremost. If they also support K2...it's a bonus! I've found some I really like that are at least designed for Hikashop, one of which is designed for Hikashop & K2 so that's a plus.

I have been told to stay away from Template Monster, as well as a couple other companies, not just by some web designers...but also from people within the software companies I use on my site with very stern warnings of "you will have issues". So I'm staying away from them.

Here is a list of the Companies I'm looking at & the template name I'm looking at from them. Below that list are 3 main questions for you guys that have experience with either the company itself, the template, or more. If you have ANYTHING ELSE to contribute in this matter...I'd love to hear it.

Template links are included...but viewing the template isn't the main thing here or even necessary...I like them all, but am leaning towards 2 on the list. They are in order of most liked first, least liked last.

[strike]Smart Addons - SJ Kampe
[url] www.smartaddons.com/joomla/templates/tem...sive-joomla-template [/url]

JoomlaMan - Creatrix
[url] demo.joomlaman.com/#jm-creatrix [/url]

You!Joomla - Cornershop
[url] www.youjoomla.com/joomla-templates/corne...joomla-template.html [/url]

You!Joomla - Laura
[url] www.youjoomla.com/joomla-templates/laura...op-and-hikashop.html [/url]

Ice Theme - Trendy Shop
[url] www.icetheme.com/themes/it-trendyshop [/url]
[/strike]

My Questions...

#1 - RocketTheme - I was told by a VERY reliable source that RocketTheme templates are really good, so I checked them out. I've found some AMAZING templates that I LOVE...but not a single one is for Hikashop (I don't think they support it at all). I spoke to someone higher up here at Hikashop (will not name names) and they let me know that there have been several display issues using RocketTheme templates, and advised that while he agreed they are amazing templates...not to use them with Hikashop. Can anyone else confirm this?

#2 - Does anyone have any experience with the companies above, especially concerning their support and release of updates for the templates with newer versions of Joomla & Hikashop?

#3 - Does anyone use any of the templates above, and if so, how has it worked for you? Was it easy to setup, features you like and features you wished it had? Just ANY advice you can provide on this one.

Thank you very much for your time!



EDIT 10-18-2015 - I've left the content above, so the responses below still make sense, but I'm no longer looking at those specific templates. I'm now looking at the following (not in any specific order)...

Pending release RCA Theme's Gantry 5 template, which per RCA Theme, will be HikaShop & K2 optimized.
Unknown URL as it is pending release in November

RCATheme - RNShop
demo.rcatheme.com/?template=rnshop#

RCATheme - EasyShop
demo.rcatheme.com/?template=easyshop

RocketTheme - Kraken
demo.rockettheme.com/joomla-templates/kraken/

RocketTheme - Requiem
demo.rockettheme.com/joomla-templates/requiem/

Hi,

1. You can use them if you want. It's not because others had issues between HikaShop and some RocketTheme templates that you will too. But this means that you need to be prepared to face issues with it. Templates that are said to be compatible with HikaShop usually have less integration issues with HikaShop and HikaShop better integrates visually with them. It doesn't mean that they are all perfect either.

2. and 3. I will let users answer as we are not creating websites on our end.

Hey Nicolas,

Thank you very much. I had a VERY respected person within the Jooml community recommend the RocketTheme templates for a highly professional looking site...but with the reports of so many issues with the integration of Hikashop...it sort of makes me highly cautious or even using one (although 2 of them are my MOST favorite ones). Due to my lack of skill & experience...that causes me to be highly hesitant to even attempt to use one.

While I realize the Hikashop "compliant" templates won't be perfect, so many have recommended that I go that route so it would be easier on me trying to handle it myself.

Hopefully others that run ecommerce sites...especially those that use any of the templates I listed, will chime I .

I sincerely appreciate all the help you, Jerome, Xavier, and Mohamed have given me the last 2.5-3 years. Without you guys...I would have given up!

Thank you to you all!

I have pretty good luck with RT. I get all my layouts done then do overrides with @media sizes to control the widths of columns page layouts.
This is a call we make to break 4 columns into 2 at a specific width. Then down to 1.
You will need to know how to add a custom css file which they can help you with on the RT forum.

@media only screen and (max-width: 1025px){
.hikashop_product_column_1,.hikashop_product_column_2,.hikashop_product_column_3,.hikashop_product_column_4 {
width:50%!important;}
}

@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {
.hikashop_product_column_1,.hikashop_product_column_2,.hikashop_product_column_3,.hikashop_product_column_4 {width:100%!important;}

.sprocket-strips-content {min-height: 200px;}

.hikashop_product_characteristics{ display:block; clear:both;}
.hikashop_product_main_image_subdiv{ float: left; width: 30%!important;}
.hikashop_checkout_login{width:100%;}

select{max-width:100%;}

h4.iconstext{ font-size: 15px; display:block; clear:both;}
.margins{ margin: -10px -10px -10px -20px;}
.bullethide{display:none;}
.mobileBreak{display:block; clear:both; line-height:0.3em;}

}

Thank you for the info...I will keep that in mind as I do REALLY like their templates, but I'm probably going to go with one that is designed with HikaShop & K2 in mind.

Hey, I was wondering where you are with your search and/or decision? I am planning on using HikaShop Multi-Vendor and also liked the looks of SJ Kampe but had the same types of questions/concerns as you. If you have come to some resolution would you mind sharing what it is/was? Thanks!

Haven't gotten anywhere with it. Last I talked to RCATheme.com, they said they were going to release a Gantry 5 template for Hikashop & K2...but it still hasn't been released yet and that was 2 months ago.

I've been looking at Rocketheme's new Kraken template...but I'm not sure it would be best for me because it's not intended to be used with Hikashop or K2.

Right, ok... you would think someone on this forum has had experience with well working templates and the multi-vendor extension. Or that HikaShop would have some list of known templates and their strengths and weaknesses. I'm thinking of installing it on a test site and just trying different ones. But I can't go buying a bunch just to see if they work or not....

Well, thanks for getting back. Please update if you find something out. I will as well.

And I should also mention that someone at HikaShop did tell me that the JSN glass pro template had CSS specific to HikaMarket.

You're welcome. I did look at JSN Glass...but decided not to use it.

What I'd love is if Rocket Theme supported Hikashop & K2...but after asking around with their support department...they refuse to support others extensions like that, which is why I started looking at RCATheme.com

After I read your initial post last night I looked up the RCA theme and I liked it too. I went ahead and emailed them and asked about HikaShop Multi-Vendor compatibility in the RCA template or any others that might be forth coming. They responded this morning with this:

"Since there is no different on front end products listing to checkout it should work with Multi vendor as well"

I'm not certain what that means, but it doesn't sound negative at least. I may look further into it, unless you got more details to suggest it would not work out so well.

Yeah, English is not their primary language, I've had to contact them a couple times to sort some stuff out...but there is a Gantry 5 template forthcoming from RCA Theme...they are still working on it.

Ok cool, thanks man!

You're welcome

defiantclass...I just heard from a rep at RCATheme.com, their Gantry 5 template should be released in about 3 weeks (give or take).

Outstanding, thank you!! I just got HikaShop+Market today, so the sooner the better! I appreciate it!

You're welcome...

As a side note to anyone still looking at this thread, I've updated the first post for the current batch of templates I'm looking at.

Hey bud, the Gantry template is complete. They are preparing the documentation before putting it up for sale but you can see the demo here: demo.rcatheme.com/ it's called GTiSHOP

Cool, thanks. I'll keep an eye on it...but I already bought a rockettheme template and so far I am quite happy with it. Should have it live in the next couple weeks.

I wasn't all that excited with it to be honest. Are you using HikaShop multi-vendor on your site?