ecommerce application advice

[dthomas31uk]

Hi, Have just changed my server host and i am wanting to set up an ecommerce site. They have 3 applications available that I can use to set up my ecommerce site. They are cubecart, OS Commerce and zencart. Just wanted to know if anyone has used any of these and can advise me which is the best to use. I also want to know do I have to pay out anymore fees to set up my ecommerce site. Was thinking of using paypal to handle my payments etc. Can anyone advise me on that also.

Your advice would be most appreciated. Cheers guys.

[GNU]

Ive used osCommerce, I like it, but it is not easy to customise. I think cubecart works better out of the box, but I have not used it myself.

You can use Paypal, personally I would go with protx. You should expect to lose around 3% in transaction fees with a payment processor.

You dont have to pay for osCommerce, I think cube cart only charge if you want to re-brand it (which you will want to do I suppose).

All you need is PHP / MySQL hosting, a domain name, and the ability to work with the software. To customise osCommerce, you need to be able to edit HTML, PHP and CSS.

With any of these packages you will need an understanding of security implications, though using a payment processor will take a lot of the risk out of it, there are still things you need to consider.

It really depends how much time you have, and how techie you are as to what you should do.

Have you already got stock you wish to sell?

[dthomas31uk]

cheers for that gnu.
Yeah, think you have made the decision for me will go for oscommerce package.Have being designing static webpages for a couple of years now using xhtml, css etc. and using a bit of php for contact pages etc. We are setting up site for canvas design prints and ringtones. Just want to make the whole process as cheap as possible to start with as we are going into the unknown :)

cheers for your advice much appreciated.

[GNU]

If you use osCommerce you might want to have a look at the STS templating contribution, it makes design changes a lot easier.

Have a look at some of the SEO contributions as well, the current release does search engine safe URL's, but if you want your page titles and tags optimised you will need to modify it.

I spent quite a lot of time disabling default features / removing default images etc. The software has a lot of features, too many really, which is why some people prefer the other packages you mentioned.

If you dont like it bin it, hasnt cost you anything,

Have fun :-)

[Hedgehog Toys]

If you are set on using a free out of the box solution then I would agree with GNU that the oscommerce package gives better optioons etc.
GNU is also a bit of an expert on the OSC side of things ;-). I'm sure if you ask him nicely he will help you out for a nominal fee.