Here’s how you can add custom order fields to the Infusionsoft shopping cart!

1. Go to Setup -> Misc. Settings. Under Application Settings, you’ll see a section called Custom Fields. Make sure you select Order from the drop down before clicking Go.
2. Add the custom field you want. Be sure to select the appropriate field type as this will affect the searches you can do later on.
   

   Custom Field Screen

3. Click View the field database names (for the API). Write down or print out the “Database Name.” You’ll need this later on. For example, the name of my Test field is Test1. These names are case-sensitive, so make sure you capture the name exactly!
4. Now, go to Setup -> Shopping Cart and select Theme Gallery. The edit your current theme. Click the HTML Sections tab, and then click the Edit button for Area 1. Enter the HTML code for your custom field like this:
   <input name=”Order0_Test1″ id=”Order0_Test1″ type=”text” value=”Test Order Data”/>
   Notice that you have to put Order0_ in front of the database name. That’s the word, “Order” followed by a zero and an underscore. You should have this in both your name and id attributes.
   Click Save.
5. Click Back to Theme Gallery and click Live Preview. You should see your store front. Add a product to the cart and click Checkout. You’ll see your custom fields in Area1 above the Billing Information.
   

   Shopping Cart with Custom Fields

6. Now, pay for the order. Here’s a good trick. Under Shopping Cart, Payment Options, select the checkbox for payment by check. Then, when you’re testing, you can just click the pay by check option in your shopping cart. You don’t actually have to pay for the order this way!
7. Finally, go to Orders -> Find Orders …, and lookup your new order.  You’ll see a Custom Fields tab. Click that, and you’ll see your order complete with the custom field data.
   

   Order Screen with Custom Fields

I hope this is helpful. Leave a comment below with any questions or to let me know how this works for you!

Clarke Bishop Infusionsoft Infusionsoft, Shopping Cart

Infusionsoft Double Your Sales Promise Overall Grade: B+

Recently, their focus may have shifted. But, over the last year, Infusionsoft has talked a lot about their product being able to Double Your Sales. Is this true?

Actually, it is true for many small businesses. If your business fits into the following, you have a good chance to Double Your Sales with Infusionsoft:

• If you have revenues less than $1M. Obviously, it’s easier to grow your business from $200K to $400K than it is to go from $10M to $20M in a short time.
• If you have a good product or services and a clear, differentiated strategy. If you have a poor or “me too” product, then doing a better job of communication and follow-up still won’t help.
• If you are willing to spend your time and/or money to improve your marketing or follow-up. Sometimes, people allow themselves to believe that all they have to do is spend $200-300 with Infusionsoft and their sales will improve. Of course, this won’t happen by itself. It takes a real effort to realize the potential of Infusionsoft.
• You’re an established business and already have a list of customers. Startups can still benefit from Infusionsoft, but it’s going to take longer and cost more.

Infusionsoft has a famous case study where they were able to double sales in only 72 days — All About Spelling. This company had a good product, was established and had a contact list of almost 6,000 customers, and had revenues of  $200-300K when they started. The one thing that isn’t always pointed out is that Infusionsoft supplied some of their top people to provide consulting help. All About Spelling may have paid for some of the improvements to their website, but they didn’t pay for the top consulting help.

Doing better at attracting leads, building your contact list, and following-up will help any business, and Infusionsoft is very helpful in facilitating this process. Plus, Infusionsoft will help with your education-based marketing programs.

The key is to provide value to your prospects and customers. I know this is obvious, but I talk with people all the time who have the idea the technology like Infusionsoft is the secret. Infusionsoft is a good tool for many companies. But, you have to know your customer, provide value, and communicate clearly. At GreasedSkid, we help Infusionsoft clients accomplish exactly these goals.

So, why a B+ instead of a higher grade? Some of Infusionsoft’s marketing reinforces the idea that if you just buy the product, your sales will quickly double. As described above, it can. Just be prepared to do the needed work!

Clarke Bishop Infusionsoft education-based marketing, Infusionsoft, Review