Ecommerce newbie

[AaronJay]

Hi, I have a question regarding ecommerce/ shopping cart system if someone could help please...

I am in the process of starting my own business and plan on taking payments over the phone so haven't put much thought into ecommerce however, I do want to display prices in multiple currencies on my website. My understanding is that this is only possible or certainly easier with an ecommerce solution in place.

My question is.. Can I have the ecommerce in place and simply not use it, only for the purpose of multi-currencies? And what are the costs for ecommerce (if these are high it may not even be cost effective).

Or maybe someone has another simpler solution?

Thanks for any help in advance
Aaron

 

[arnydnxluk]

Hi Aaron, welcome to UKBF.

For simply displaying products with pricing, I don't see why you would need to use e-commerce software. E-commerce software tends to be very heavy, bringing features such as shopping carts, customer management and order management to the table. For what you want, a little bit of server side (or even client side) scripting can do the job and would be much less hassle in my opinion. My advice would be to get in touch with a good web developer, show them your existing website and have them quote you to implement the currency switcher. It shouldn't take too long but this depends on the number of products you have and how your existing website is setup.

Is your website running on any particular platform (e.g. WordPress)? If so there may be an existing plugin which could help.

Edit: Just to be sure, you're not looking to take orders online - right? Or are you taking orders online but deferring the payment part to telephone afterwards?

 

[AaronJay]

Hi, Thanks for the reply... yes it is a Wordpress site.

The clients simply fill out an enquiry form and then ultimately we will take payment over the phone. The prices displayed are simply typed into a Wordpress text box (not sure thats the technical term).

We only have 4 separate services we are selling so its not complicated in that sense. Are you aware of any plugins that may help?

pictrip.co.uk - if it helps.

 

[LowPrices.uk]

There are lots of scripts that will allow you to display product inventory, as part of an ecommerce offering. So, find the script, and then hack it to disable the basket and payment. This will be fairly easy for any ecommerce specialist to do. If you have time to learn, you might even be able to do it yourself.

 

[goodweb171]

you can easily turn a woocommerce store in catalog only view (with alittle custom code or a plugin).

you can also show prices in different currencies with a plugin.

 

[AaronJay]

Hi,

Thanks everyone for your input - can't beat forums like these for valuable and honest information. I will talk with my developer and have them find a solution now I know it is possible.

Much appreciated.

 

[techpro]

Use any open-source eCommerce platform to display catalog along with price in multiple currency ..You can do it with Drupal, OsCommerce, Prestashop, Phalcon ....

 

[antropy]

The clients simply fill out an enquiry form and then ultimately we will take payment over the phone. The prices displayed are simply typed into a Wordpress text box (not sure thats the technical term).

Out of interest, is there a reason you have to do it manually like this?

 

[Paul Norman]

As a slight aside, from someone who has been involved in ecommerce for a very long time, taking payments over the phone is the worst of all possible worlds. The risk relating to these payments sits totally with you - not the card acquiring service. You have close to no protection at all.

It is massively better to take the payments from your website.

 

[antropy]

It is massively better to take the payments from your website.

Agreed!

 

[xnstandy]

There are lots of scripts for your website cms if you are using an open source program. Just find them on the cms official website. May I know if your website is an ecommerce website?