setting up a store database

[thebeard]

I've been doing simple info-sites for a few years using GoLive. I have been asked to put together an e-commerce site. I'm assuming the most efficient way to do this is using a data base. But I'm not sure where to begin.

Can I build a database in a spreadsheet like Excel?

How does it then fit into the website?

How do I store images?

How does this work with Agora?

Is there already a thread our tutorial out there to help me threw this process?

Thank You in advance for your help!

[bobdog]

For online shopping cart, the best is called Zen Cart. It is available in Fantastico, or better yet go to http://www.zen-cart.com and get the latest version.

In my opinion, it is the best. Powerful, flexible, easy to customize. Best of all, the support forum is excellent.

It will do everything you are asking. Good Luck!

[Dustin]

Zen cart and OS Commerce are great but I strongly recommend against CubeCart or Agora. They really aren't great at all in my opinion.

The easiest thing for you to do would be to set one of these up, then edit the template in your GoLIve software. Then link to the store off your site (unless you know a bit of php and can code the integration). I would set up something like store.yourdomain.com.

The cart will handle all the images, comments, stock, orders, ordering, basically everything for you.

[Silverado05]

I am not familiar with Zen-Cart, but OS Commerce is great. I use it and the sky is the limit with it and not to mention the many add on mods they have for it.

[dkinzer]

I use osCommerce as well and like it a lot. Although you can use the stock store, you'll probably want to customize it to fit your needs. I have modified mine quite a bit including adding SEO enhancements, USPS and UPS shipping connections, credit card approval through my processor, etc. You can see it at http://www.zbasic.net (currently on another web host but soon to be moved here).

[Silverado05]

FYI, when you move your store to Bluehost you are going to need the Globals contriubution becasuse the register_globals are off here.

[dkinzer]

FYI, when you move your store to Bluehost you are going to need the Globals contriubution becasuse the register_globals are off here.
I've had that mod installed since before my store went live. It's essential, I believe, for a secure site.

[Silverado05]

It use to not be on Blue Host. After a yr it just popped up out of nowhere and I had to install it. Not a biggie though.

[thebeard]

I'm leaning toward Zen-Cart. Anybody know anything I should look out for before I install it?

[Dustin]

register_globals will be on by default, you may just need to copy the php.ini file into the folder and /admin/ folder of you OSC installation.

Zen cart won't have that issue though, it's pretty much good to go from the installation, which everything will be set up through Fantastico.

[bobdog]

If you are still trying to decide, then go with Zen Cart. You won't be disappointed. OSC doesn't even compare.

But we didn't hear what you are selling. Perhaps you could share a url of your site? And the nature of your business?

[Silverado05]

I wouldn't go as far to say that seeing that Zen-Cart is a knockoff of OSC. They are pretty much the same with the exception that OSC as more mods you can have and seems to be more customizible.

Check out this links for some live shops built with OSC

http://shops.oscommerce.com/

OSC Demo shop

http://demo.oscommerce.com/

You can just about anything you want with it. Zen Cart just looks like more work.

[thebeard]

I'm attempting to set up 3 sites that feed off of the same database, if possible. My in-laws sell pool supplies and they want to have an online store. At least they think they do.

My brother-in-law runs the show, (sort of), and he thinks he knows the web and internet commerce just because he has a friend making "millions"

Truth is he knows squat, and doesn't want to spend any money. They still use dial up to retrieve "yahoo.com" emails. He doesn't want to spend the money to have a separate merchant account, he believe he can run everything with the same merchant vendor.

I'm going to end up list items and having customers phone the warehouse, and that will be his online existence.

[Silverado05]

he believe he can run everything with the same merchant vendor.



He can if they currently accept credit cards already through their store front. They can set the e-commerece store where they can manually enter the credit card info into their machine. That means they will have to store the credit card info in the DB, now that isn't illegal but it's a big risk should the DB be hacked because they would be responible for the information being compromised. Not to mention if you get a lot of orders online you have to sit their on a daily basis and take those orders and enter them into their credit card terminal manually. Also I am sure the mechant services they are using offer e-commerce solutions. I don't know of any that offer POS services, that don't offer a payment gateway. So as far as that goes he is correct and can do that.