Hi everyone,

I need to start a ecommerce website and need some guidence for it. I have some expierence in web design but have no expiernece in ecommerce designing.
What is the easiest but has the most options.
My site has items which need option (drop down menus) for the item. For example: Someone wants to buy a part for thier car and a option would be: chrome plated +10.00 or brass plated +35.00 or even gold plated 125.00. And also a option for the same item to have 2 bolts or 4 bolts + 30.00. All of these options are added in the shopping cart and a copy with detailed merchandise is emailed to me for ordering.
I would like:
Just use one credit card merchant. Low pricing of course.

Should I get a software program like ShopFactory or another? Or should I use an online shopping cart within the merchant like 2Checkout.com.

Remember, I new to this (ecommerce)so if there are any mistakes I really don't know how ecommerce websites work.
My situation is, money is a tight issue and really can't afford over 500.00 for this site. As I said earlier in this message, I can make the website myself but the paying, shopping cart end of it, I don't know it.

What can you reccomened me?

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Craig

Your best bet is to use a pre-made shopping cart system, such as osCommerce. And then hire somebody experienced with the software you choose to set it up and make any neccessary customoziations.

Your also going to want an SSL certificate for your site, your web hosting company can help you with that peice of it. Make sure you have an SSL before you start setting up the software, it'll make things a bit easier.

Whatever eCommerce software you choose, make sure it is updated frequently by the developers to patch any security holes as they arise, and to add new features. Also make sure that it will allow you to grow your business. There's nothing worse then changing shopping cart systems because you outgrew the old one.

Yes, I agree with Anacrusis...I do have a few other options that you may wish to embark on...

First, you will definitley need a shopping cart, as doing it yourself will become *very* time consuming.

Second, OsCommerce is NOT my first choice, especially for the new person, but you can do it if you want to go the 'free' way...It's got abit of a learning curve...Just a warning there. ;-)

I would look around abit more especially if you have up to $500.00 to spend (as you stated).

As far as an SSL certificate, it's not necessary to have one ONLY if your using paypal, or another "3rd Party" E-Commerce Merchant which I highly recommend if this is your FIRST time using e-commerce.

And with the e-commerce software that you choose, it is highly recommended that you choose a software package that is updated often as this is something that WILL Affect your company profile. Example: Loop-Holes...I'm sure you heard of loop-holes, when something can go wrong, it will scenario? Well, that's why you want an e-commerce package with frequent updates. :-)

Good Luck Venturing Out In The World Of E-Commerce Business!

-Brian

OSComerce is free and feature packed. The community created a lot of contributions during the last few years. The only drawback is the lack of comprehensive support and the fact that the last software release was in 2003. If it doesn't stops you this is a very decent choice.