shopping cart technology (Full Version)

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creeeg -> shopping cart technology (10/24/2003 11:36:46)

i've been approached by a medium-sized, up-and-coming e-commerce company who is looking for someone to design their site; however, I have no background with shopping cart technology or secure transactions whatsoever. I've built lots of sites (in dreamweaver and FrontPage); however, all of them have been information based ... do you think I'd be getting over my head if I took on such a project? as they need a response within the next couple of days. I'm not even sure of the process of shopping cart software or secure transactions (or what I should consider), or how this changes the process of web designing ... any information/advice would help me tremendously right now. thanks ~Craig.



Eli -> RE: shopping cart technology (10/24/2003 11:46:04)

hi Craig - i don't think it's too much of a challenge at all. There is plenty of good inforamtion and help around. The shopping cart thing is actaully quite easy, its all the stuff before that I get confused with!!!!



erinatkins -> RE: shopping cart technology (10/24/2003 11:46:38)

Have you looked at Ecommerce templates ? They are easy to use & support is great.

I think I am at my 5 or 6 site using them. They integrate easily with merchant accounts.

Erin



coreybryant -> RE: shopping cart technology (10/24/2003 12:28:14)

There are a lot of e-commerce shopping carts already pre-made out there. Even most merchant accounts offer at least one. If you are a windows guy check out www.metalinks.com or www.vpasp.com. If you a PHPer, check out www.oscommerce.com. Most of the shopping carts as stated can be linked to the gateway very easily.

As far as SSL - most hosting companies offer a free SSL. You do not need to purchase one. I would recommend though if you wanted one - check out www.geotrust.com



creeeg -> RE: shopping cart technology (10/24/2003 15:42:37)

thanks for the reponses, they were very useful ... just have a couple more questions now...

The company rep I was talking to knows nothing about web design, or publishing. Basically the site he wants is similar to www.motorcyclesuperstore.com , but on a slightly lower scale. After he pays me, buys the software (shopping cart, theme, etc.), and then pays for the hosting ... wouldn't it be better for them to buy a hosting package that includes secure transactions, and has their own shopping cart technology, and themes ... and maybe just let the company design it for them, and give them technical support? The gentlemen is a friend to my uncle and I want to give him the best advice... as I don't need the money for this contract, and don't want to shortchange them on product. How much would something like *the website above* cost to be done professionally, and how long would it take?



Eli -> RE: shopping cart technology (10/24/2003 15:58:30)

providing the database and artwork is done the actual design should only take a few days. (but for an e-commerce beginner it would take a little longer). Thats a few days doing nothing else (20 hours).

20 hours x £75 per hour = £1500 miniumum



Gil -> RE: shopping cart technology (10/24/2003 16:16:09)

quote:

wouldn't it be better for them to buy a hosting package that includes secure transactions, and has their own shopping cart technology, and themes ... and maybe just let the company design it for them, and give them technical support?


Yep...



coreybryant -> RE: shopping cart technology (10/24/2003 16:28:13)

I tried to e-mail you Craig - not too sure that it went thru.

But it all depends - if you know some ASP - you might be able to find a shopping cart that has all the functionality that you desire. And most hosting companies offer a free SSL & even some offer e-commerce. The bad thing about that though it that if you decide to leave in 3 months or something - you do not get to keep the database. So you have to maintain another database as well.



Gil -> RE: shopping cart technology (10/24/2003 16:38:14)

quote:

if you know some ASP


Why ASP? Perl or PHP actually is better suited to ecommerce than ASP.

quote:

you do not get to keep the database


Huh? The database is the client's not the host's.

quote:

So you have to maintain another database as well.


No one I know of would not maintain a backup of the DB under any situation!!



coreybryant -> RE: shopping cart technology (10/24/2003 20:19:37)

Sorry Gil - for some reason I am not receiving e-mails any more on this thread. I cannot / will not say anything about ASP/.NET & PHP because that brings out too much debate & I do not feel that is what I am here for. Just to help people & offer advice & opinions. Some people hate MS & will not use ASP/.NET. Myself I do not like UNIX & I do not like PHP.

There are some companies out there that do host - and it is the host & not the client. I have a buddy at one of these companies. He is not happy at all about it & is waiting on me to complete one project so that he can switch over. He did not read the fine print. I am just using examples that I have ran into in the past.

As far as making a backup - I will use him again. He never backed up his office computer & lost all his data there. It never ceases to amaze me at what people do not do to cover themselves just in case.



Gil -> RE: shopping cart technology (10/25/2003 11:24:21)

quote:

I cannot / will not say anything about ASP/.NET & PHP because that brings out too much debate & I do not feel that is what I am here for. Just to help people & offer advice & opinions. Some people hate MS & will not use ASP/.NET. Myself I do not like UNIX & I do not like PHP.


No problem - just making sure creeeg & others know ASP is not the "only" solution [:D]

quote:

There are some companies out there that do host - and it is the host & not the client


I'm not sure what you mean here? The "data" stored in the database is the client's property. Saying that a client "cannot keep the database is a misleading and false statement - all they have to do is download a copy of the DB anytime they want.

quote:

It never ceases to amaze me at what people do not do to cover themselves


I agree!



coreybryant -> RE: shopping cart technology (10/25/2003 14:04:29)

I actually push the OScommerce a lot. From what PHPers tell me - it is a fantastic program.

Sorry I meant that some companies that offer the hosting, e-commerce package all in one, they do not offer the database to their clients. I agree with you - it should be the clients. But those companies that follow this procedure - they just want to keep those merchants aboard & think that not offer a way to download the database is a way to keep the customer. It might be a way to keep that customer but it won't be a way to get new customers - especially if that new customer knows exactly what questions to ask.



Gil -> RE: shopping cart technology (10/25/2003 15:20:03)

quote:

they do not offer the database to their clients.


I do not understand. Do you have an example? How can anyone with the correct password & logon not be able to FTP the data ?

OScommerce is (IMO) the most complete Shopping Cart out there...



coreybryant -> RE: shopping cart technology (10/25/2003 19:01:19)

I would rather not speak bad about a company - but there are some total e-commerce companies out there that do not offer a database to their customers if they decide to leave.



creeeg -> RE: shopping cart technology (10/28/2003 9:57:53)

thanks so much everyone for your help - i had a login problem for last while, so I could read but not post.

basically what I did, is advised the rep for the company that it would be in his best interest to go with a hosting company that provided the shopping cart technology accompanied with a theme (that he likes), and offers reasonable rates their work. From there they can contact me if they are looking for an upgraded look, or for any maintainance that they could use. I just wasn't comfortable making the big step from making cool looking websites to becoming responsible for the business platform of an e-commerce company. I think I need some more practice before I jump into that kind of stuff. Once again, I truly appreciate your time, and wish you all the best. ~Craig.



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