Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

How much did you have to pay for the add-on modules for Miva?  I`ve worked with open source ecommerce solutions where the add-ons were all peer-created for free.  While they took the occaisonal 30 minutes to jury-rig, they worked as advertised.

WOW. After hearing all of you going back and forth about MIVA.... Miva is a very complicated system to the one that does not understand diddly squat about coding, but is very straight forward. If you guys want an open source E-commerce solutions.. Try OSCommerce.... OS commerce As you can tell the OS stands for Open Source... It is very friendly and I use it very often, and the reliability and knowledge base is so big and useful even the person with lack of knowledge and understanding of php can customize this software. Not to mention it comes with over 14 Payment modules and counting, It comes with multiple shipping platforms. It comes with Multi_language packages so if you are intersted in spanish, portuguese and so forth... It handles multiple-currencies, But the best feature is it tells you who is online and who is buying what and what page they are on... Goto the Link http://www.oscommerce.com
Test it out, and if you want to test the Backend Panel, let me know I will send you a Login and password and Navigate the Software... Add products... and see how easy it is to use..
Here check out some Links... I customized these for my clients...
http://www.homegiftpalace.com
http://www.boriquacity.com/catalog/index.php
check them out... this is Open Source at it`s finest... Plus.. the modules are easy to install.

It`s nice to see someone who uses open source e-commerce.  I do recommend you try out Zen Cart.  It`s based on the OSCommerce software but was upgraded by a team of developers with more options, security, backend control, and add-on integration.  Many sites who used OSCommerce are transferring over to Zencart because of the increased community support, documentation, and add-ons.

You can check them out at http://www.zen-cart.com

Hey All,

I am new to the community and came across this thread... I wanted to let you know that I have customized a few miva websites now that they have upgraded to the new 5.5. This new version allows for much easier customization of design. If you are a UI designer like myself I am sure you have found that programmers can be a little flighty so this new version puts much more power in my hands to keep the project with no external people to throw a wrench into the development of the site...

But here is also some new information... I have come across a web company that specializes in getting miva 5.5 sites off the ground in less than 5 business days... I have to admit that this makes it difficult for me to be profitable in my business as I charge upwards of 1500 dollars to develop a miva 5.5 custom designed site...

They cost less than $500 + a very reasonable hosting fee... I looked into the company and honestly I hope they come up with an affiliate program cause they do a great job... everyone should check them out and post back what they think...

The company website is - www.merchantdesigner.com

I have spoken with the owner George Silas and he is very customer oriented and really cares about this service... he even said he was wanting to be the "Apple of Miva Merchant" so for loyalty and street cred... could you tell him that Nathan Reedy referred you lol!

Really people... check out the site and watch some of the video's... I think you will be impressed and might make Miva your new ecommerce platform from now on.

Website: www.merchantdesigner.com

For Backend Miva 5.5 Instructional Videos Using Merchant Designer - Youtube Channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/merchantdesigner