E-com website

[Kshimo]

Hello,

I am looking at getting an e-com website developed for my online business. Would appreciate if someone could recommend a good website developer / developing agency. Thank you.

[thedesigntailor]

Hi there

We can offer a bespoke system which will be built to work exactly how you want it to work.

We have some really impressive ideas that can make you stand out in the market and will even help you market the site once it's finished.

Please call if you would like to bounce some ideas or hear about some other projects we've created.

[bodie007]

If your still looking for help here - let me know more details and we can have a chat about your e-commerce project.

[openmind]

We do a full eCommerce Application (http://www.openmindcommerce.co.uk/) and also offer a bespoke design service (http://www.openmindcommerce.co.uk/store/p3-ecommerce-store-skinsecommerce-software-design-service.cfm) so do get in touch if you have any questions :)

[Duncan_W]

Who ever you chose, I would definitely recommend selecting someone you will give you a cart based on Open-source system like OsCommerce (CRE/ZenCArt etc) or something like Magento. These offer excellent cost effective solutions, and prevent you from being tied into one developer for the long term.

You can take a look at the types of sites that can be developed in this system in our website gallery:

http://www.bsamarketing.com/sitegallery.htm

[openmind]

Wouldn't agree with that statement at all. Open source developers can still disappear and leave you in the lurch. Just take a look at sourceforge and how many projects there are that haven't been updated for months. Think if MS went bust, 95% of the world would be crippled! :D

One other point to note, specifically about Magento, is they have now launched their Enterprise version at around $9K! Now it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest that they start sneaking functionality from the free version and restricting them to the enterprise. Logging of admin access and gift vouchers are two very common features in eCommerce systems for example tyhat are only on Magento enterprise.

Commercial or Open source, it is the backup and quality of service that is the critical factor and generally you will get a higher level of service with commercial apps because you are paying for it...

[shopintegrator]

Commercial or Open source, it is the backup and quality of service that is the critical factor and generally you will get a higher level of service with commercial apps because you are paying for it...

I agree with Phil on this one, quality of service and access to support should be an important part of your selection process. I like OpenSource, enthusiasts are willing to help you out all over the globe, but they have no obligation to help you or no obligation to see anything through to the end if they do start helping you and lose interest. If you get something for free, don't expect to have your problem solved if things start going wrong.

Don't get me wrong, this is not a 'dig' at OpenSource, I think OpenSource is great and can often be relied up, if you've done your homework and made the right choices upfront. However, if you are depending on it for your business, are you technically competent enough when push comes to shove, to sort out a problem yourself (or within your organisation) if no one else is able to/willing to do it for you? The alternative being that you end up paying someone to sort out the free software, which negates the free element!