Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I am trying to figure out what is the best way to add a shopping cart to my existing website.  Should I have it done by a webdesigner and have it built for one flat fee?  Or, Should I use an already built system like yahoo shopping cart or volusion.com.  It seams to me that the online carts are expensive with a montly fee of hosting plus software. Does anyone have suggestions on the best way to do this so it is cost effective?  I want the shopping cart to look sophisticated but still easy to use.

 

It really depends on how much time you have on your hands to invest. There are a number of free Carts that all you have to do is install and plug in the information.

How tech savy are you? Did you set up your current webpage or did you buy a layout or pay someone else to set it up?

If you done your current webpage yourself I would say go for one thats pre built. If you have the time to fill in the blanks. You might also want to check with your Host because alot of times they have programs on there servers that they will install for you and depending on the host even walk you through setting it up and at least have a how to guide or readme file that will help you modify it to your tastes.


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I designed it and had some one more technical put it together. I have technical skills but lack time.  How hard is it to implement a shopping cart yourself?  Have you tried it?   Thanks for your input.

It depends on so many factors, there are so many pros/cons, etc.

Does your current host offer a shopping cart and security certificate?
Do you have a merchant account?
What is your budget for this?
Do you need to maintain your look and feel throughout or is it OK to have a generic checkout?

In general, the more automated it is (point and click, DIY), the more expensive it is to operate. The ones that require more initial investment (hiring a development company) are generally cheaper per transaction.

As Nikole stated... Those are some of the requirements for you to have a shopping cart. Let me get a little more in detail with what she just stated.

As for the SSL Certificate- Well it`s going to depend on two things do you have an exclusive IP or a shared IP, in order for you to install the SSL certificate you must have an exclusive IP.

My suggestion would not to go with either volusion or Yahoo Shop. They are tedious to maintain and you are limited to features and modules.
Hosting a shopping cart with volusion or Yahoo means moving your web site to their server, which I would not advise. (customer service stinks)

You can go with third party software, have it installed on your server and then it`s just a matter of linking to the shopping cart. Some third party applications can be modified to have the look and feel of your current web site and other`s well you are stuck with a generic look.





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Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net

Let`s chat about your site and we can explore options that may fit within your budget. We have an ecommerce platform that we give away for free to hosting customers. It`s in version 7.0, so its well tested and proven. You DONT want to reinvent the wheel. Thanks!!

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Albanese Consulting, Inc. Software Development & Technology Solutions toll free: 866-239-3400 www.albx.com

To answer your questions.  Yes, my current company hosts w/ SSL but it won`t be big enough so I will have to look for hosting elsewhere.  I do have a merchant account set up with Authorize.Net.  I don`t want the site to look generic.  It needs to have somewhat of a customize look to it.  Has anyone tried Shopsite.com?  They have a shopping cart that you can intergrate with your site.  I will give Albx a call too. 

Thanks for your answers.

bridalchic,

I`m not sure if you have already solved your shopping cart issue.  But if you have authorize.net you can download a free shopping cart that integrates with authorize.net at www.comersus.com  They have a free asp cart available.

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Oliver Mupas
United Bank Card
866-207-6007 ext 303
omupas@ubcnetworkonline.com

No I haven`t.  Sick with the flu and out of commish.  No time for that!  I have been swaying towards Volusions shopping cart, but, before I decide I will check this out.

Thanks for your idea.

bridalchic