On-line Shopping (Full Version)

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Tailslide -> On-line Shopping (8/30/2005 10:01:54)

In the not too distant future one of my small business clients is going to ask me to add an on-line shopping facility to their existing website. This isn't something that I have any experience in yet.

I've been doing a bit of research and my options appear to be:

1. Get a full blown E-Commerce package (probably a freebie or a cheapie such as Zen Cart or osCommerce)

2. Get a shopping cart service such as Mals e-commerce or Roman Cart.

I'd want whatever I implemented to be accessible - which clearly some of the larger e-commerce packages aren't (without paying an arm and a leg for it). I'd also want to be able to style it via CSS preferably with CSS layout too. I need to be able to get at stuff like forms to add <label> etc.

The particular business that I'm thinking about currently is a florist who would only be doing local deliveries - so I'm thinking that maybe the simpler option would be the best i.e. go for Mals e-commerce or Roman Cart - because they won't need the stock keeping options or the multiple delivery options etc that the bigger packages have.

What experiences have you guys had with these sorts of packages? How customisable are they and how difficult to set up?

Thanks!



Mojo -> RE: On-line Shopping (8/30/2005 11:32:53)

With your accessibility needs, you may find most carts have something missing. Have you thought about rolling your own? Or having someone build you what you need?

The shopping cart engine is actually fairly straight forward - just database checks and updates. It's all the bells and whistles that start adding confusion.

In short, I have limited experience with third part carts. I built my own several years ago and just add or remove features as needed.



Tailslide -> RE: On-line Shopping (8/30/2005 11:58:24)

Unfortunately my PHP/DB skills aren't up to it yet! I can usually tweak existing PHP to get what I want, but writing from scratch is a whole 'nother ball game.

As most of my clients are small business, they can't afford the usual "off the peg" e-commerce package (or the development costs of having something custom built which I'd have to pass on).

Some of the really basic cart services might be the way to go - it looks like they host the DB themselves and the customer would access CC details etc via a login box. Still digging though... don't know much about this stuff!



BobbyDouglas -> RE: On-line Shopping (8/30/2005 12:29:34)

Without knowing your clients needs, nobody can tell you what option is better- 1 or 2.

It sounds like you are set on a free cart, but have you looked into the budget to see if your client can afford one?

If you plan to go with valid code, I would suggest you take a look at OsCommerce and the Simple Template System module. You basically build the cart to how you want it to appear.

I am giving X-Cart a go for a new site, but I found that OsC has a lot more modules that can be installed. Plus, I like knowing that if there is a security issue, the company will make sure that the fix is released ASAP. With OsCommerce you have to wait, for $195, that little insurance is nice to have. Every license after $195 is $99.



Tailslide -> RE: On-line Shopping (8/30/2005 12:37:53)

Thanks for that Bobby - I'll have another look at osCommerce and see if I can find the Simple Template System module.

I'm not necessarily set on a freebie - but I want to keep costs as low as possible given the simple range of products that they'll be offering (no worries about stock levels etc).

There will, I hope, be others in the future with more complex needs - so if I can find something I can make valid and accessible without taking 10 years off my life then I'll look at that too even if it's just for future reference.



Tailslide -> RE: On-line Shopping (8/30/2005 13:53:22)

I've just found something from quirm.net that's still in development - but due to be ready soon, hopefully.

Details include:

# CSS for layout and presentation
# XHTML
# Web standard compliant
# WCAG AA

Plus it should be sub £100

I've got my name down for it so once it's available I'll pass on whether it "does what it says on the tin"



Reflect -> RE: On-line Shopping (8/30/2005 14:00:54)

The STS seems like a really nice community mod.. It just makes sense to us non-programmer type people.

However it seems to cause a little slow down on the new version. I did notice bluedimaond (the mod author) is looking into it so I think it should get weeded out in the next BETA. I will have to try it on my next site.

Take care,

Brian



Universal4 -> RE: On-line Shopping (9/1/2005 11:28:03)

I have looked at oScommerce and have a client that has used many instances of it.

It is quite customizable and is very search engine friendly.

Rick
Universal4



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