[PeterG]

Hi all,
I've never done this before. (bare with me)
I bought a domain name from Network solutions.
I hope to sell some trade marked baseball caps.
I need to setup the website.
Q: Should I just use Network Solutions own setup, doing it myself, or someone else?
I guess I'd be looking for the least pain.
If anyone has a link to an article on this is or has their own list I'll gladly take it.
Peter

/forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[charlieartist]

Depends how much you want to get involved in the process. I have had to learn the hard way, and have plenty of experience now as a result. Network Solutions can be a bit high on the pricing, and is there a good assortment of templates, or do you find it limiting? Will NS be handling your e-commerce, or will you be relying on PayPal or another third-party source for this?
For creating the actual site, Freeway is highly recommended by some. I use the industry standard Dreamwaver and Flash. Admittedly, there is a bit of a learning curve (a bit steep, I might add, if you really go into it full-bore). Web Assist does offer extensions for DW to greatly simplify tasks in setting up a site (including e-commerce and security). The good thing about these apps is that for simple tasks, it can be pretty straightforward. There are also customizable templates that get you going, and keep things simple. But, if you want to make it complex, well...
Another route may be going with a friend or contact that can help you with the technical side. I didn't have much of that, and had to do it the old fashioned way, but it would have been great to have a guru for this...
Hope this helps...

[PeterG]

Thanks charlieartist,

Quote:

---

Depends how much you want to get involved in the process. I have had to learn the hard way, and have plenty of experience now as a result. Network Solutions can be a bit high on the pricing, and is there a good assortment of templates, or do you find it limiting? Will NS be handling your e-commerce, or will you be relying on PayPal or another third-party source for this?
For creating the actual site, Freeway is highly recommended by some. I use the industry standard Dreamwaver and Flash. Admittedly, there is a bit of a learning curve (a bit steep, I might add, if you really go into it full-bore). Web Assist does offer extensions for DW to greatly simplify tasks in setting up a site (including e-commerce and security). The good thing about these apps is that for simple tasks, it can be pretty straightforward. There are also customizable templates that get you going, and keep things simple. But, if you want to make it complex, well...
Another route may be going with a friend or contact that can help you with the technical side. I didn't have much of that, and had to do it the old fashioned way, but it would have been great to have a guru for this...
Hope this helps...

---

I'm trying to make it as simple as possible. The more "simple" I think I'm getting the deeper I seem to go.
I spoke with a kid from NS, yesterday. Then I checked Go Daddy to compare.
I don't mind trying to do it alone but, I'm finding out the hard way it isn't really simple for someone like me. (not tech savvy). I can get by.
I believe PayPal (seems) to be easier, but ....
You Know charlieartist, I think I might just go up to the Apple store and ask if any kid wants to earn a few bucks and help me set this thing up.
W Sites, are pretty easy for people who do them all the time.
I don't, so I'll take your advice and find a friend.
Actually, I used iWeb, just to get a feel of what the site might look like and show to a pro. But I need that little bit of expertise.
Peter

[charlieartist]

Yes, that does sound like a good route to follow. I had to learn it the hard way, most often alone. My background is in traditional media (fine art) and print design. It did take a bit of learning--and a steep curve at first. Finding someone who really knows how to do this, now that is a real challenge. Surprisingly, I know enough experts in print and design, but they lacked real depth of experience in web design, especially with back-end work. Most farm it out. I have one project (without two nickels to rub together), where a number back-end processes needed to be added. One design principal I work with recommended me to his consultant--who summarily quoted a price of $20K. I wansn't surprised, but my editor certainly was. Shows how rare skilled people are, and how much demand there is.
Good luck!

[dougoftheabaci]

Well, personally, I'd say go with something like a Yahoo store or build your own and integrate it with PayPal. The reason for this is the other companies hold all the credit card info and the like and it saves you the trouble of having to be legally responsible for it.
However, if you want to do it yourself there are some free e-commerce site setups out there that you could use:
OS Commerce and Zen Cart are both ones that my hosting provider (servage.net) recommends and have auto-installers for.

[dougster]

Hi -Peter,
Just a thought: But if you live kinda close to San Diego State there might be some flyers on the boards there where students want to make some extra cash fine tuning web sites. And the price might be right if the student is really starving. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[jaspermac]

OS Commerce and ZenCart will get you up and running quickly, but if you want something beyond the stock install they can be a handfulespecially if you're new to HTML and other web programming. Both of the aforementioned products are Open Source programs, so they're cheap (free). But they don't have a refined user interface. Doing any major customizations can be frustrating.
That said, I use ZenCart. My webhost is DreamHost

I also use Miva Merchant on some of my older sites, but my webhost is phasing out support for Miva. Too bad. It's a pretty good product with a little more accessibility than the open-source products. Do a Google search for web hosting to find other web hosting companies offering Miva packages if you're interested.

I agree with what one of the other posters said: Hire someone with experience to do the web programming & setup for you if you want to go whole hog and open a complete store using an eCommerce program. As a graphic artist, you can design what you want the site to look like in Photoshop, then hand over the files to your programmer to make it work within the constraints of the merchant software you choose.

If you just want to take baby steps and offer a handful of items for sale in a simple manner, you can't beat the simplicity of Google Checkout. Register at Google Checkout and create your account. Google will gereate a button you can paste into your HTML page that links to their eCommerce site. Very simple. Very secure. The funds are transferred directly into your bank account. The limitation is that they can only order 1 item at a time. But it's still a great way to test the waters.
Good Luck!

[PeterG]

Hi guys, (long awaited update)
Well I struggled through and wrote this. pgoperations
I used BlueHost, and paypal.
I will still take any info to improve what I did but thanks for the advice.
Peter
/forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif