November 26, 200916 yr This will be my first e-commerce site so I'm looking to find out the basics of how you guys go about the process. What information do I need to get from the client? What are the best payment options? (paypal?) Does my client need to set up the payment merchant? Do I need an SSL if Im going to use paypal? How do I test the shopping cart? Do you show your clients how to use the shopping cart and to what extent? If the client needs extra products adding do you add them and charge for it? I'm sure there are plenty more questions I have missed. (I have been experimenting with zencart not sure it's adaptable enough for layout though?) I know there's a lot of questions but any help to point me in the right direction appreciated.
November 28, 200916 yr Author Sorry I have asked too many questions at once... Can anyone give me help on just one of the above.
November 28, 200916 yr What information do I need to get from the client? What sort of products they want to sell What the aim of their shop will be Is it a bolt on to an existing site or a brand new site? What cart features they might need What are the best payment options? (paypal?) There isn't a best one but a good option I've found is to offer customers at least two ways to pay, ie Paypal + a payment gateway (Worldpay, sagepay etc) Does my client need to set up the payment merchant? If they want to use a payment gateways (ie Worldpay, Sagepay) they will need a merchant account from their bank Do I need an SSL if Im going to use paypal? No. Though you may want to consider one for customer account pages on the site if you have them. How do I test the shopping cart? Install it and use it as a customer would do. Do you show your clients how to use the shopping cart and to what extent? Yes, often I pick 2 or 3 carts that suit their needs and let them choose the one they feel comfortable with If the client needs extra products adding do you add them and charge for it? The normal idea is that you'd teach them how to maintain their shop, but if they want you to add products then charge your normal hourly rate or a fixed fee. Edited November 28, 200916 yr by BlueDreamer
November 28, 200916 yr Author Thanks BlueDreamer, Thanks for taking the time to answer all. Do you print out a guide for clients on how to use it or do they keep asking you how to do stuff. I have been looking into which cart to use? I see there is a shopping cart list on here, but is there a rating for each cart to help me choose. Something easy to use 100 products. With payment options.
November 29, 200916 yr Do you print out a guide for clients on how to use it or do they keep asking you how to do stuff. I normally forward shopping cart user documentation to them for reference, and give them some sort of initial tution for doing all the common tasks. I also offer support for all those "how do I" questions. I have been looking into which cart to use?I see there is a shopping cart list on here, but is there a rating for each cart to help me choose. Something easy to use 100 products. With payment options. Instead of relying on ratings you really need to be looking at the right cart for your customer, both to manage their products, and one they can understand how to use. The general advice is to talk to your customer and find out what they want their shop to do, then go and find a few matching carts based on their requirements. All shopping carts have payment options, so you need to look for one that supports your clinets choice of payment methods
November 29, 200916 yr Author Thanks again. Thats why I like this forum, you moderators help out alot.
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