Want to set up website for shopping online - where do I start?

[twocan]

Hi All

Forgive me if this has already been answered. I have gone through all the threads, but can't seem to find the exact answer relevant to my stage.

I opened a shop in April, unfortunately, with the current climate, high rent, etc, etc, I have to close it. I've decided that it could work if I run it online. I only want quite a simple website - where people can see my products, pay by Paypal or credit/debit card, and also be able to click on a language icon, for 3 different languages.

I have tried the Vistaprint template, but it is a bit too basic: can only fit 3 items on one page and no facility for sub-pages. What is the next easiest thing to use - I'd like something like Vistaprint offers, but with the facilities I've mentioned (of course cost is an issue too!).

Thanks in advance for your wisdom!

[OldWelshGuy]

There are many cheap monthly options, or you could go for Zen Cart or one of the other free scripts. Your problem is how will people find your site?

[twocan]

I am completely ignorant about how this all works, I've tried to find what I'm looking for on the internet - but it's a jungle out there! I will look at Zen Cart, as you have mentioned it.

I live in the Balearic Islands, and intend to just target locally for now - therefore, I will be relying on old fashioned kinda advertising - local paper, business cards, etc etc.

Thanks.

[tradedemon]

Doing a search for shopping cart scripts is actually quite bamboozling. hundreds of results, but in summary once you've narrowed down your choice of shopping cart, and as has been said above there are loads of good free options.

e.g. osCommerce, ZenCart etc

You need to

1.) Get Web Hosting
2.) Setup your Shopping Cart software
3.) Upload your products
4.) Start doing some Search engine optimisation

Yes starting off with local ads may do it initially but if you really want to harness the web you'll need to get some SEO done.

How familiar are you with Web Hosting/Websites and all the tech mumbo jumbo that goes with it ? Because if your not very well versed might be a good idea to read up a little before you jump into building or even trying to select a solution.

Thanks
Zee

[twocan]

Thanks for the reply, tradedemon.

I can find my way around a computer, but have never dealt with webhosting myself. Are you saying that once I have chosen a template from one of these hundreds of shopping carts, I then need to find a webhosting service myself? Is there not more services like the one Vistaprint offers out there, where you just choose how you want the site to look, add your products and your text and you're in business?

[OldWelshGuy]

Yes there are, as stated previously, there are stores offered by people on this forum that will do just that :)

[twocan]

Apologies, but I just can't see where they have been mentioned before. If any of you that offer a similar service to Vistaprint read this, please contact me.

I have had a look at Zencart, from what I can see, you only get this 'classic green' layout, and it's not as easy as Vistaprint's package.

[OldWelshGuy]

With zen cart, you install it, then chose your skin upload and instal it.

Are you looking to do it yourself, or to get someone to do it for you?

[twocan]

If I can do it myself, I will, but I don't have any webdesign experience, knowledge of program language etc. That's why I liked the Vistaprint deal, very easy instructions. And obviously the site will need updating with new products, etc, which I will want to do myself.

[OldWelshGuy]

OK then I will leave the thread here rather than move it to tenders.

[Luc]

Virtuemart is a free solution based on teh Joomla CMS, maybe also worth considering. It get's both excellent and bad reports, and it does have something of a learning curve. Maybe have a chat with some people who've tried it and who might be able to help you. Because it's free there are many users around.

[andrea_a]

If you want to save money on online payments, you should definitely work with us (DIRECTebanking.com). Currently we offer our international payment method for:

• 1 penny per transaction for 1 month, 1% later.*
• 2 pence per transaction for 2 month, 1% later.*
• 10 pence per transaction for 10 months, 1% later.*
• 24 pence per transaction for 24 months, 1% later.*
• No registration fees (save £39.90)
• No monthly subscription fee for 3 months (save £4.90 for 3 months)
• Instant termination right the first 3 months

* This offer is only valid for:
• retail (non-digital goods) merchants based in the UK,
• merchants who have registered after July 2009,
• merchants registering before the 15th of September 2009,
• with the current bank independent technology of Payment Network.

Cheers,
Andrea

[futurex]

if you are familiar with Wordpress, then try Wp-shopping cart plugin..It really simple and nice.

[tradedemon]

Sorry for not replying sooner Toucan:

1.) Getting your own hosting and installing it yourself whilst initially being a little more work on your side, leaves you with the most flexibility in the long run. It's your code, your design and you can install and add any plugins or changes you want.

2.) Although I love wordpress which has been recommended above with the Shopping Cart Plugin, I can't recommended it for proper ecommerce sites since it's a little simple and won't have all the features of a fully fledged shopping cart software.

Hope that helps. Sorry I couldn't advise or recommend services that are hosted by the provider. Never used them before :)

thanks
Zee

[twocan]

Thanks for the time and advice. I am looking at a few ready made packages at the moment, for now I don't think I'm equipped at all to be able to set a cart up myself. Will post the outcome...

[StudioCart]

Hi twocan,

We offer a solution that comes with free web hosting and a free domain name .co.uk or .com and is only £69.99 per year for UKBF members and comes with 4 pre install designs.

PM me if you want to know more.

Kind Regards
Che

[emerchant]

easywebstore (http://www.easywebstore.net/) offer a DIY ecommerce store (http://www.easywebstore.net/) if you want to do the design yourself

[Danny@BFC]

going from what you have said, it might be worth looking at mrsite (http://www.mrsite.co.uk/) for an all in package.

I had the beginners package for a little while and to be fair it wasnt too bad for an absolute beginner trying to keep costs down and sorts domain registration, simple design, shopping facilities and hosting all in.

If the shop takes off then invest in it later down the line though..

HTH

Danny :-)

[rusty1001]

My experience

oscommerce - good, lots of modules available - little support 'no one in charge'
magneto- taking over from oscommerce - there is zencart, oscmax
joomla - with vituremart addition - actually not too bad - these are all open source - commercially there are lots probably -
but I guess if you pay 1000's you should expect service...and to work and if it does not you have right for a refund..

cheers

[That Guy]

Also have a look at:

Cubecart - http://www.cubecart.com/

Opencart - http://www.opencart.com/

Presta Shop - http://www.prestashop.com/

Play with their demos and see what you like the look of. They are all pretty easy to setup.

You will need hosting for these so here is a nice list:
http://www.ukwebhostingforums.co.uk/Forum-web-hosting-reviews

If you decide to go with a pay monthly package make sure it is SEO friendly :)

[Darkie]

Hi, twocart.
I can offer you a nice option. You may want to try Site123.com. It's a very user-friendly website builder with built-in webmaster gadgets, by means of which you'll be able to launch a virtual shop. You don't have to worry about technical stuff - everything has been handled for you. The site management interface is quite easy to use, there's no need in any php/asp knowledge. Check out if it suits you.

[fisicx]

If you go for the DIY option you will have a very steep learning curve trying to get all the features to work properly. It may take a month or two before you have got all the plugins and layout tweaked.

You are then going to spend the next 6-12 months getting people to visit and buy your stuff. This is going to mean any number of updates to the site.

On the other hand you don't worry about the shopping system, just pay someone to build it for you. It may appear exepnsive but it's going to save you months of hardship learning how to do it yourself.

[Jason2244]

Our site below uses Zencart. We have changed it quite a bit from the original green default layout.

[lortel]

I would have thought Auctiva would be ideal for you as there is support available and a 30 day free trail period so you can play before buying. Google 'auctiva commerce'

[twocan]

Thanks everyone so much for your help. I have got someone to set up my site for me, customise it etc through this forum. Fingers crossed!

[Camille-I]

You can first open a unaided website or just open a small store in big platform like Ebay. Then just put your products all on the website or choose some to the online store.

After that you need to some market to abstract some customers.

[Evan]

Hi Two-Can,

When you have your site set up you may be interested in using our service. We compile Product Test Reviews and User Reviews, which can be integrated onto you website along side each product. Showing independent reviews gives the reviews more credibility and converts more visitors to sales.

On your product pages you will be able to show what each magazine said about a product, and what score they gave it. You can also allow your customers to submit reviews, and read reviews by others, and you get the relevant user reviews that are stored on our site too.

The service we provide is completely free. If you are interested in this please PM and I'll send you my contact details.

Cheers,
Evan

[skyhi2]

Hi Twocan

Like you i was ( and still am ) a complete numpty about HTML/Website building.

I found a place called Freeola and had a website up and running over a weekend.

Its only £3 a month for everything ( except the domain ).

The Pros in here ( and full respect to ya all ) might not quite approve but my site is up,running and doing good business after only a month online.

I used Paypal checkout for the site and that was easier than i though it would be too.

Now all i need to sort out is them darn Chinese folk :-)

Just my 2 pennorth.

Regards

Skyhi2

[Red Eye Media]

We'd be happy to help. Our systems are fully hosted and ready to go so you don't need a degree in programming to get it working.

[WhiskyFive]

I like ZenCart - I know osCommerce and its variants backwards and this is definitely the easiest one to set-up and start with.

However, for your purposes, I would strongly suggest you check out Shopify.com.

Extremely easy to set-up. All the payment modules are set up already.

It isn't as feature rich as some of the other stores people have mentioned - but quite frankly you don't need more than the basics.

You can start with one of their templates - and when you are ready, you can pay a developer to do you a new "look and feel" to your specifications.

The key thing is that it is extremely easy to use and you don't have to worry about hosting, installing or anything more than basic configuration.

[rendy]

For a great platform built with SEO and compliance in mind, you should check out trading eye's shopping cart system. The latest version has some teething problem, but the next release should be solid as a rock (like waiting for sp1 to buy a new windows version hehe)