Overwhelmed with website starting

[SunsetWolf31 0]

Hi all, I'm fairly new here and need some help. I was wanting to start a website for my new business which mostly consists of vinyl decals for cars and such, and I was looking to go through GoDaddy.com, but it was going to cost like $800 a year for the website. Most of the cost was for the shopping cart. With so many decals to choose from, and that will be listed on the website, the shopping cart was going to be around $50 a month. Now I'm not so sure that I want to do a online store. With just starting out, I don't have that kind of money, especially with the economy the way it is. Does anyone have any input on what I should do. Should I just stick with local selling for now, or is there a cheaper way to do an online store? I have no clue what to do, my husband wanted me to do the online store, but he thought it was just going to be around $100. Any info would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

[Jeffrey06 2]

I think you should get a shopping cart program like OsCommerce, it open source(free) and then just host it. That's what I'm in the process of right now, i'm using nethoststore.com for my web hosting.

Then basically all you need is set up a credit card process through the OsCommerce system, and your set.

[ff-extreme 6]

Zencart is another one thats free and very flexiable on how you can set it up. a little bit of a learning curve but pretty easy after you get the hang of it.

[STICKERnerd 0]

i use zencart and godaddy hosting, its only costing me 7.00 a month total. stickernerd.com

[tlzimmerman 11]

Yes, there are MANY open source options of building your website, but they take a little know how and some time to build and set up.  The reason its so expensive from places is they do it all for you, you don't really have to know anything to get them running.

The open source solutions will require some setup and a little know how, and if you don't have any you will have to take time to learn.  Its not hard per say, but there is basic understanding and learning curve....just like there is when getting into vinyl making.

I would go open source, and learn...knowledge is power, plus when you know how to do these kind of things you can make extra money doing it as well.

I use joomla, with is an open source content management system, and a component called virtuemart for the shopping cart and selling portion of it.

doublezdecals.com

[SunsetWolf31 0]

Thanks for all the info. About 10 years ago I used to build my own websites using all the HTML, but now being older and more brain cells gone, I have forgotten most of that stuff. I was hoping to have a website up and running by the 3rd week in march, but I guess unless I want to pay out the wazu for godaddy, then I'll have to refresh my HTML skills, find a host, get a cart and hopefully all will be good.

[Jeffrey06 2]

Thanks for all the info. About 10 years ago I used to build my own websites using all the HTML, but now being older and more brain cells gone, I have forgotten most of that stuff. I was hoping to have a website up and running by the 3rd week in march, but I guess unless I want to pay out the wazu for godaddy, then I'll have to refresh my HTML skills, find a host, get a cart and hopefully all will be good.

The payment modules are built in along with a lot of other needs for a ECommerce site. The most time in the whole setup up will be adding your products to the store.

[feben 0]

I've built shopping carts using osCommerce and it was easy to setup. The really tricky, and time consuming part is customizing it to make it look unique and professional. Then all you have to do is add products and setup the payment modules. You can use paypal, money orders, or a variety of online merchant accounts. I've had one client who had two merchants fighting each other and he ended up only having to pay a certain percentage of whatever he sold. so they waved the monthly fees, etc. Doing something like this does take some programming knowledge, though. And I highly doubt you'll find someone to get you up and running for $100. I know people will set the scripts up and get you running for around that price but to customize the cart's look & layout will probably be more. So I'd suggest finding one you like, and dive into the documentation. And then find somebody to help you out. You can find hosting for very low prices now days. Another thing you'll need is a SSL Certificate or else no one will purchase from you. those run and additional $30-whatever a year.

It's funny how so many people think that developing websites is so easy. Sure anyone can learn basic html and have a cookie cutter website up within hours but when it comes to stuff like this you'll either spend a significant amount of time learning it yourself, or you'll shell out the cash to have someone else save you the headache and produce a professionally functional website for you..

If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

[FBRsportmod68 109]

www.synthasite.com

totally free

check mine out

www.lonestargraphics.synthasite.com

[russdabuss 1]

ecrater.com is another idea. More of a online store, market place. You could link your webiste address to your ecrater site.

They use paypal or google check out

[Rob28x 0]

i use zencart and godaddy hosting, its only costing me 7.00 a month total. stickernerd.com

Wow nice site. 

[NVInc 0]

As for Site www.fatcow.com free ecart and then get you a domain name and all cheap like $4.83 about $60 a year and 24 support ... If you just want a ecart heres a free one http://www.1freecart.com/ hope it helps

[aries58 0]

Hi all, I'm fairly new here and need some help. I was wanting to start a website for my new business which mostly consists of vinyl decals for cars and such, and I was looking to go through GoDaddy.com, but it was going to cost like $800 a year for the website. Most of the cost was for the shopping cart. With so many decals to choose from, and that will be listed on the website, the shopping cart was going to be around $50 a month. Now I'm not so sure that I want to do a online store. With just starting out, I don't have that kind of money, especially with the economy the way it is. Does anyone have any input on what I should do. Should I just stick with local selling for now, or is there a cheaper way to do an online store? I have no clue what to do, my husband wanted me to do the online store, but he thought it was just going to be around $100. Any info would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

CHECK THIS OUT---> I see a lot of you have no place on the net to sell the GREAT! work you do. I have a Mall Website, if you would like I can give you a shop FREE! you post, name your price and all $$ goes to your paypal, all you need to do is promote your shop, add the URL to your business cards and tell people where to look for your items,

if interested go to samsfleamkt.com and sign up,

[JoeCamaro 11]

FBRsportmod68, do you know that if you buy a domain name, for example lonestargraphics.com, you can forward it to your store AND mask it so it only shows lonestargraphics.com and not lonestargraphics.synthasite.com?

[JoeCamaro 11]

SunsetWolf31, you can also check www.weebly.com

You can build a free website, add your own domain and add paypal buttons really easy. This place lets you set up a site by just dragging and droping stuff. Really easy.

[SunsetWolf31 0]

WOW you guys and gals are WONDERFUL. Thank you for all your help

[Ms. Rita 0]

Another site to check into is homestead.com They offer templates with drag and drop options as well.  I have used them for many years for my husbands painting business.  Super reasonable $$, great customer service and so simple.  You can check out his site at theinteriorspecialist.net.  I am working on a site for my vinyl cutting but it is not ready to view as of yet, I'll let you know when it is ready.

[NutttSo 0]

My Mall site has a BIG BUG so I can't take anymore shop owners right now but am getting a new mall soon will let ya all know when you can sign up,

but here is a ecart I use sometimes and it's free

http://www.shopit.com/

[sublimation 0]

Here is one I used to use. I may go back to them as they are inexpensive and easy to use.

http://www.citymaker.com/

[JoeDirt 5]

heres one for free has some limitations but they host it. I am going to play with it and see how it works just found it myself.

http://www.shop-script.com/

[badbrad2007 0]

Great looking site stickerNerd, mind me asking what program you used to create it? Looks great...

[SunsetWolf31 0]

I'm not sure, but I think he had his webpage done by www.khanik.com , and their webpages start around $1500 I think. I tried emailing and private messaging him wondering what he used to make his page with, then I looked at the bottom of his page that said khanik.com . He never replied to my email or messages so I'm just guessing that he paid to have it made.

[Pappy 0]

Also, ebay is a good place to look if you want an all in one package.  I think with the $29.95 (per month) package they will even give you your own web address and name.  Last time I looked they had different levels.  Just another option.

Pappy