To OS Commerce or Not to OS Commerce?

[Anonymous]

We are starting to get somewhere with our ecommerce idea, but once again I need to ask for the help of this fine forum. So far we are looking to launch with 5 main products, but it seems kind of pointless launching a full OS Commerce site for just 5 products. Just wondered if you all think it's better if we just have a normal site with a shopping cart behind it?
-Tom

[William Wilson]

Roman Cart and PayPal Carts are easy to integrate into a site there are costs and you need to have a card processor but sure beats all those hours learning osC.

[Rob Holmes]

I would say that alot of surfers are tired of visiting oscommerce sites - thay all tend to look the same (unless you skin them)

There are loads of carts available - why not have a look here: http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1631

Rob

[Anonymous]

Yeah, that was one of my hesitations, I don't want a conventional style shop, I want a great design with a shopping cart system behind it to really make it stand out from the crowd.

[JoyDivision]

You could get a web developer just to make you somthing, a simple shopping cart is really simple to make and if the rest of your site is good it shouldn't cost you much at all.

[anyamoo]

Hi Tom

I use OSCommerce, but its linked to via my main site rather than forming the be all and end all of my online presence.

For a free online cart, its not bad, although a little complex to set up, having said that the OSCommerce forum is helpful.

If you have money to spend though I would go for another cart, as already metioned it doesn't really allow for much design or uniquness unless you can get someone to design a skin for it, and again why spend the money on that when there are other carts out there?

good luck!

[ink4-u]

Hi, i have an osCommerce site. And you cant really tell it is. But it did cost me a fortune to skin it out. But it was worth it. Send me an e-mail or add me on msn and i would be happy to talk to you about some options there are. Jay!

[Coding Monkey]

I work in web design, so take my opinion as you will.

I wouldn't buy from a website that didn't spend the money on a decent website. Simply because it shows they don't have much money themselves and their own success is likely to be matched with their budgets. It's a leap of logic, but it's how my mind works. Just like I'd consider someone to have a better job if they drove a Mercedes SLK over a Vauxhall Corsa.

But everyone has a budget, so just do what's best within it. If you have to keep OS Commerce, try and have it designed professional.

[Whistle Ink]

Hi, i have an osCommerce site. And you cant really tell it is.

You can tell! I did come a cross a similar template before. I considered OScommerce until I tried to install it - I gave up.

The two really good ones that I have trialled are EROL and Actinic - they are miles better and the order managemnet in erol is really good.

It is worthdoing it properly though. Ask the web / ecommerce designers on this forum and get a quote.

[billhilton]

I'm in agreement with MacMyDay. Remember that you don't build your brand - you can only try to influence the way prospective customers construct it in their heads. The appearance of your site is one of the first and most important pieces of information they'll use when building up this picture of your brand, so it's important to look professional.

I think trying to out from the crowd is a little bit futile - the crowd is huge, and, to a certain extent, customers have the mot trust in ecommerce sites that look like ecommerce sites. if you're going for originality, put it in the logo or in the tone of the copy - don't create a site that's self-consciously whacky just to get attention.

What are you selling, BTW?

[Coding Monkey]

I'm in agreement with MacMyDay. Remember that you don't build your brand - you can only try to influence the way prospective customers construct it in their heads. The appearance of your site is one of the first and most important pieces of information they'll use when building up this picture of your brand, so it's important to look professional.


Thanks, Bill. Quite like your simplistic site design, I might add.

I can give you so many reports on the influence of design. Most of my customers learn this the hard way. Not through going with us, I should quickly add, but by coming to us with an already existing website that they spent £1000 on a year ago and found it was achieving nothing. You've got a few seconds to make an impression.

PM me if you want to discuss anything further.

[qi visuals]

I am finding all the posts interesting here. But there are a lot of conflicting opinions about the best shopping cart for a small business. Could anyone recommend a very user-friendly and inexpensive one?

I am just starting out in my online business and have very little money to spend on a shopping cart. I also have very little expertise in anything other than print design, which I have been doing for a number of years. But now would like to branch out into an online business. I am hoping to find a shopping cart that is very user-friendly, but economical and works well.

I have been looking for an online or other course to attend for e-commerce, but am not having much success in finding one. Any suggestions on that front?

:p

[Jimmi]

I'm not sure why it would be a problem having a shopping cart site for only 5 products. I think it would depend on what you are selling. I'm working on a plain html and css site and a zen cart thing. Both would sell different things.
I've found it much easier to customise a html site than zencart. That's the thing though, the first thing you think of is you want something unique but if you don't have much money and start learning to tweak it yourself it can involve many hours of work. If I had the money I would pay someone to do it. The thing about learning it though is you have more control to tweak it and update it. I think it's worth spending at least some time playing with it.
With zencart you can get someone to design a template for it then you just plug it in it might be worth looking into that. I haven't played with oscommerce but I think it works the same way.

[skybluejemma]

Take a look at webeasycommerce dot com. Very easy to use and should suit your needs.

[Barry_M]

I love OsCommerce .. I have designed many shops with the system and my clients have found it very reliable and simple to use. I have included many modules to help keep the site easier to use and I also include the latest SEO techniques to help the sites rankings on the major search engines. I have also designed a few modules of my own including the complete text editor allowing you to take control of the main text of the site.

A recent project was Googeled within 1 week of the go live date and almost instantly had over 300 pages listed on Google and in excellent positions.

Here is a project that is nearing completion (25th July 2008)

www.dakinestore.co.uk

around 2 days till launch.

If you are looking for a designer for your OsCommerce system I will have the answer.

Feel free to look over my portfolio at www.barryswebdesign.co.uk and if you are interested in my services please feel free to add me to your MSN list livechat@barryswebdesign.co.uk or PM or Email me for more details

thanks for reading

barry