Advice needed on best way forward with website please

[WinterCelt]

Hello, this is my first post here though i've lurked and been reading for a couple of days. I'm looking for some advice please.

I've been running an online business for quite a few years now which sells one-off, individually made wood carvings. My husband makes the pieces and I do the website and selling side of things. I started off with no knowledge of any web design, etc and that's where it's starting to fall down.

Years ago, we started with Cool page (remember that far back?) which was enough to get us started. Then, I taught myself to use Frontpage (might sound like a simple thing but was an achievement for me, lol) which has also done its job but the trouble is, I'm still using it. Over the years, the website has grown rather a lot and it now feels to me like this overgrown and bloated, antiquated thing!

Listing new items is incredibly slow because each piece needs all new photos taken and edited, then the pics are added to the (table-based) Frontpage web page, the piece is described and then I add html code for a Paypal button.

It works to a fashion but I'm embarrassed by how out of date it all is really. The site design all needs updating and I feel like I'm a bit of a time-slave to it all. I have a couple of (tiny, less important) sites through a different web host and they've stopped allowing Frontpage so I can't even update those sites any more! I know the day is coming when my main hosts will also go down the same route.

We also sell through Etsy but that's very much a tiny sideline and won't become our main method. I like the way of listing easily through Etsy though, where I just input the pics and details and it takes care of the rest. Something like that would be so much less time-intensive.

So, what to do next ...

I have Microsoft Expression Web 4 which I'm finding terrifying because I have no knowledge of CSS *at all* I just feel at a loss because, on one hand I could learn it (surely I could? I'm not unintelligent, it's just something I have no knowledge of) but I struggle so much with time - there just isn't any!

I've looked at things like Shopify or EKM Powershop which seem sensible but I really don't like the idea of putting all my eggs in one basket - I much prefer having my website (or database or whatever) separate to the webhosts. Obviously, my other half has a massive say in what we use and he isn't at all keen on Shopify or anything like that.

The other option I guess is something like Open cart? I have no understanding of any of this so I don't know how it all works. Is it software on your own system that you use and then somehow upload to your web space? :-/ Sorry, I probably sound quite thick, lol -_-

Any advice gratefully received.

 

[james_firmsites]

Hi,

I realise your not a fan of shoppify or EKM because it is all in one place but as someone who provides something similar, albeit with personal service rather than their DIY approach I think your missing out on a major advantage.

If you have separate hosting, domains, emails, website etc then when things go wrong you have to waste your valuable time tracking them down and then contacting the right person to fix it. Equally if the site needs a server setting changed you have to get provider A to work with provider B etc. This wastes time, which wastes money.

We provide our clients everything in one place for this exact reason, something goes wrong they contact us and only us. Knowing that regardless of the issue we are able to resolve it without saying we need to speak to X provider for their help.

SaaS providers like me, Shoppify and EKM work very well providing you are happy with the level of support you have purchased and can make life a lot easier.

Now you can of course try things like open cart, or the WP+woocommerce route. But these will either take time to learn and setup correctly or if you stick with the prefab template look generic. You also want to have someone who knows your ecommerce system so you can do things like goal tracking for marketing.

Dependant on budget it would be worth considering the SaaS route. Either the cheaper providers like shoppify or EKM then spend your time learning to customise those (a LOT easier than learning to build sites completely) or look at the providers like mine, of which I am not the only one by any means, that will still do monthly payments, still take care of everything but not require you to do anything technical. Would be happy to show you some demos

 

[GetPaper]

I think what you might benefit from is using something like Prestashop 1.6. I use this myself and find it very easy to upload new products/pictures/descriptions and also you have the option of setting up your PayPal etc. I have tried out other free ecommerce platforms such as Opencart, Magento etc but I find that Prestashop has a brilliant user interface. Uploading banners etc is easy and directly from your PC.

I bought my hosting from Siteground which I think is fantastic as they have lots of useful and easy to read guides, you have auto installers for the Prestashop and their support is very good.

 

[ryedale]

We work with a lot of first time E-Commerce owners and people who've had bad experiences - We nearly always use Opencart as even the most non-technical of users pick it up quickly and rarely need on-going support once a site is launched.

So long as you find a reputable design agency, then, as said above, it's not a bad thing to have the same company provide your hosting. It does make it a lot easier to support and respond to issues quickly.

 

[WinterCelt]

Thanks

 

[antropy]

The other option I guess is something like Open cart? I have no understanding of any of this so I don't know how it all works. Is it software on your own system that you use and then somehow upload to your web space?

Just get someone to set up OpenCart with a theme from here:
http://themeforest.net/category/ecommerce/opencart

You'll then be able to log in and add your PayPal account and add products with images/descriptions etc. It's much simpler than messing about with Frontpage or Expression.

You can try out OpenCart from the shop owner admin area here:
http://opencart.antropy.co.uk/admin

And you can see how the shop front looks here:
http://opencart.antropy.co.uk/

 

[ParcelBright]

It's a shame you can't use Shopify, it's perfect for your needs.

Guess it's between WooCommerce and OpenCart then.

 

[WinterCelt]

Thanks for your replies - much appreciated I've been having a long hard think about it all (probably too much thinking!). I really like the idea of something like Shopify but one of the things putting me off is that we have a large amount of past product pics which come up high in the rankings of Google images, etc. We get a fair few visits through these. If we moved to another provider (Shopify, Bigcartel, etc.) I can't see any way of moving over the pics (hundreds and hundreds) so I think that would affect our ranking quite badly. Is that right? We'd be starting again with Google ranking :-/

I'm planning to find some cheap webspace to have a go with Woocommerce and probably Opencart too. At least that way I can get to grips with it before touching my business webspace.

Thank you all for your replies - they're very helpful.

 

[Tech4Homes]

You can simply create products for all the "old" products and set up 301 re-directs from the existing page to the new page. So you'll still get your traffic. If the traffic you gain from your existing listings has any value to your company I would suggest enlisting a professional to manage the move... else you'll regret it if it doesn't go smoothly

 

[antp__]

I have been using PrestaShop for my latest website and must say am enjoying every minute of it. I have ready many things about WooCommerce and OpenCart but wanted to go with something slightly different to others, which is still rated highly.

Very easy to navigate and add products. Purchased and template and had it setup within minutes. Adding slider images etc.

Just waiting for someone to shoot me down on why not to use it now.
Other than that, @WinterCelt, may be worth a look?

Another great thing is you can setup a website on their 'cloud' almost like Shopify etc and link your domain to it as far as I can gather. I personally have my own domain and hosting as I have more than 1 site for other reasons too.

 

[WinterCelt]

Thanks

 

[Kathy Miller]

Opencart is what we use most of the times as it is very easy to understand for all users. You do not need much of a technical knowledge with opencart. Prestashop is good too but it requires you to have a bit of technical knowledge too. Getting it designed from any professional web development company will prove to be beneficial.

 

[Spapro]

We use opencart also - themed with a theme from themeforest.

If you have mastered frontpage in the past then you will find opencart relatively straightforward to setup and maintain with new products etc moving forward. We have found it ranks well with google, as long as your content is individual and strong.

I would suggest some professional help with the initial move from what you have now and 301 re-directs, we have used Welford Media in Leeds who have been great (no association with them other than as a happy customer). We selected them as they were local to us, not that I have ever needed to meet with them for the bits and pieces, small tweaks and fixes they have completed for us since we started with opencart 2 years ago.

There are a list of 'official opencart partners' here:
http://www.opencart.com/index.php?route=partner/partner#country222

Although I am sure there will be other Opencart experts locally who are not on the list who you can find via google.

Good luck with whatever you decide to use.