Hi all,

 

New here, I've recently decided to get into web design & hosting. I've spent several months learning HTML, CSS, Bootstrap framework and small amounts of jquery/javascript. I'm not too bad with the front-end of stuff, however I would have no real idea how the back-end would work in something like an online store and linking it to the different payment processors.

 

I came across Shopify and liked the idea of the lite version as it would allow me to add buying options into an existing website with a minimal amount of code and would ultimately checkout through their platform. Would this be a waste of money (monthly and % fees taken) or do you think it's a viable option, at least in the shorter term for potential clients?

 

I see that there are some opensource platforms but honestly, from the one's I've seen they look pretty bad (visually).

 

If anyone could point me in the right direction or give some input I would really appreciate it .

 

Many thanks.

Shopify is fine if you don't mind paying them for just about everything until the day you die.

 

I prefer to use existing platforms and develop my own themes. This way you have the support of a whole army of users and developers but still have the freedom to create your own layouts.

 

It's also very lucrative. Installing your preferred platform takes minutes. You then have a huge range of themes to choose from or you can build your own. I can put together a bespoke theme in under a day once I've had the brief from the client. One day's work pays the bills for the whole week.

Thank you for the reply.

 

Would you mind sharing the platforms you use? I did come across Abantecart which seems alright and fairly customisable in terms of making a custom theme.

I use wordpress with woocommerce. It's not particularly liked on this forum but it's really easy to build themes and edit the woo templates and create a smart looking and lightweight (fast) site.

 

Most of my clients have small shops to something like magento is too complex. Abantecart looks OK and is well documented but everything outside the actual shop looks like it needs an extension which aren't always free.

 

So I suppose it's all about how much work you want to do. I can set up and configure wordpress and woo in an hour and I can build a theme in under a day. Which means I can earn enough in one day to pay the bills for a week. I'm sure once you are up to speed on your chosen platform you will be just a quick and it will be just a lucrative for you.

 

If you want to see some examples send me a PM