Hi,

 

I am currently having a simple website being designed in illustrator by somebody I know. Prior to getting this converted into a website (CSS/Html) I would like some advice on ecommerce options. I have been researching online, but still not sure what my options are.

 

I only have 4 similar products to sell. I am not that interested in keeping records of my customers, or newsletters etc... I would just like a simple shopping basket and checkout page. I have a domain name, host etc...I am not sure if I should get it built myself (from here) – or pay monthly for a off the shelf solution. Can anybody give any pros/cons?

 

Cheers

I would get off the shelf there are many nice shopping carts for you to use on your OWN host, do not pay a monthly fee for your shopping cart if you already have hosting. Do you have MYSQL/PHP with your hosting? it is quite easy to install an open source e-commerce cart with a plugin for paypal payment.

 

off the shelf will give you more options because you can install modules in the future, manage customer accounts! trust me you will need that selling online, what if someone wants a refund or change an order? you need to keep a record. and getting it up and running can be very quick.

 

Building it yourself is too much trouble i have done this before, time consuming and will never be 100% reliable, and when you need to upgrade it will be a nightmare, depending on how it was developed;

I never thought of people cancelling the order, and I may increase the products I sell over time. But the more I think about it, I think a off shelf solution may be a way forward, because if the code gets more complicated and I have future issues, I probably wont be able to change the code without hireling somebody.

 

My real worry was that some off shelf sites look a bit unprofessional and a bit fishy! but I haven’t really looked into the off shelf solution yet.

 

I have looked at my hosting package (fasthosts website builder) and I do have PHP and MYSQL. It also comes with a website builder and a PayPal widget. Maybe this is my option - considering I’m already paying for it.

 

If I chose a template, would I have to get my designer to work with that?

 

Thanks

Edited July 10, 201412 yr by itsthefuture

I really like using Magento and Prestashop, the new magento 1.9 is pretty good comes with a responsive layout, I would recommend it getting someone to skin the design for you, they are quite flexible when you know what you are doing hehe...

I have ordered a free trial..

 

Do you have any idea on costs? I dont want to be paying monthly. Will I get the same from a free one? cosidering I only have 4 products - that wont change..

 

Thanks again

Ahhh Prestashop is free! and it sounds like the easier one to use.

oh yeah sorry forgot to mention they are free, just need to install it and and put in your paypal codes and you're good to go, from experience it always starts of small until you see it grow and then you want more more more more, so prestashop is a good start and easy to use.

by the way i don' t mind helping you, I need to bulk up my portfolio, i'm looking for a new job so need to show more work at interviews!