Selling online - software recommendations

I want to set up an online shop but I don't want to use ebay. I've been checking out different options online but would like a personal recommendation.

Has anyone used/is anyone using xt-commerce or any other open source shop software? And how easy was it to configure? Or are there any other off the shelf products you recommend?

I know html, css, some javascript but I don't know php or sql - but I can learn.

Well, do you have any scheme on how you will drive customers to your website? The good thing about eBay is that you could generate some traffic to your site through settin up some auctions. Do not overlook this aspect. You could have a great customer-friendly site but it would be pretty bad if no one visits it.

A recommendation that I can make is http://www.shopify.com

You do not pay these guys unless you make a sale. Plus, the software is pretty easy to set up. However, they just went into full release and it will take a couple of weeks before they streamline theie services.

You also have many other options:

http://www.1und1.info/
http://www.strato.de/

They have a 30 day free trial, so you can try out their products.

But again, do not forget the marketing bit, especially if you are starting out new.

Good luck!

And if you want to run your own web site, there are many E-Comm/store type Free software solutions avail. The most popular one being OScommerence. and Zen-Cart.

Yes, but I really would not want to run it on my own. Too many hassles with maintainance to guarantee a good uptime. It is more reliable and probably cheaper in the long run better to host it with one of these companies.

Thanks for those - I'll check them out. And I won't rule out ebay completely. I'd thought about using google adwords, search engine submissions and TT ads to promote the site. I'll check out OScommerce - I think that xt commerce is a version of that, but a slightly more packaged "out of the box" version where I don't have to be as technically proficient. I hadn't heard of zen cart so I'll take a look too.

@Xargon
Once it's setup, then Maint. should be pretty simple.

If you think your site might get lots of traffic, and you want your own
Web and mail server, then I know a place in Munich that you can colocate your own server hardware in their datacenter for 70 Eur a month. Going this way, you supply whatever hardware you want and have full control over what software and what ver. of software is installed. The problems with these cheap webhosting places, is that you must use the software THEY Provide or approve. This can be a problem if your web site requires PHP4 but they refuse to install or provide anything but PHP5. This is currently a big problem for providers who supply their sites with CPanel.

If you don't want to do the entire My hardware, My Site thing, then perhaps I can host your site on my server
for a small price.. PM me if your intrested.

PS: Above price is for Colo +10GB of traffic per month. Other Bandwidth deals are also avail.

That is very true! 70 euros is a great price. Most places let you use whatever hardware and full control for much more.

I've downloaded mysql, php and zencart and got them running on my localhost. It was a pretty steep learning curve for me - bumbling around in the command line doing chmod stuff but its working now. I'm going to try and set up all the tables and templates locally and then find an ISP. I'd rather be making mistakes and learning without paying the hosting fees yet. But zencart is great - I've got it running with english and german and there are loads of little add-ins available like for deutschepost. So cheers! I'm off to play again now.

I will be upgrading my 1U rackmount server soon. It's currently directly connected to the Internet Core in Germany. If you would be intrested in taking it over I can arrange this with the Service Provider. The cost for the hardware will be aprox. 450 Eur, and the monthly colo fees runs 50-70 Eur. PM me for more Info.

I can even help you install your software and get your site up and running.

@Shallot.

Frankly I am feeling rather hurt! You must have forgotten the conversation we had last year over a curry, and I am probably your nearest TTer to boot.

The package you want is from http://www.jshop.co.uk

You want this rather than the opensource stuff because they offer proper direct product support, so if you have a problem or issue it gets fixed. You can see on their forums that previous users have migrated over from lots of other stuff, but we all love Jshop. It is only £300.

Plus of course I personally work on and build Jshop sites every day. So I am always here for instant advice and product support for you.

These are my sites:

www.androvdessous.de
www.androvbras.com
www.androvlingerie.co.uk
www.androv-medical.com
www.androv-medical.de
www.androvmedical.com
www.hireskiwear.co.uk
www.ajhorseriding.co.uk
www.selectafont.co.uk

And these are some of my old customers:

www.cartridges-by-post.co.uk
www.hiteksunbeds.co.uk
www.amberpromotions.co.uk
www.argonpromo.co.uk
www.inkworldwide.co.uk

I dont do web design anymore really, but would help you with whatever you need.

@Darkknight - thanks - I'll PM you. Sounds scary though - I was thinking more of shared hosting. If you have your own server then you have to do all the Apache security patches yourself etc??? Not sure I'm ready for that.

@JE - well don't be! Your sites look fab, but especially while I'm learning how it all works free is better than £300. Also, I don't know how the Jshop templates are set up, but the zencart ones are xhtml and css which is what I'm used to working with so the customisation is (relatively) easy for me. Of course I want to pick your brain, but I assumed you would be busy with your house right now - are you in yet? PS - do you sell your riding stuff somewhere in euros??

Feel free to click on the link that says "Change Currency".

Actually I am not allowed to be sarcastic 'cos it is my site, and you will find that as a webmaster if a customer EVER has any kind of problem navigating the site it is YOUR fault for not making it easy enough etc. Which actually gets you down sometimes!

Truth is when we get that site proper running we will have the .DE version and this will default into Euros. So for 99% of customers they will be happy that the DE is in Euros, and the CO.UK in pounds.

There are only two types of customers that want stuff in EUROS and in ENGLISH:

1. Irish
2. Toytowners

and as we all know both the above should be avoided as punters anyway.

Shallot. Spend the £300 and start learning Jshop. You can edit the templates in HTML and the new version will have a WYSWIG editor as well (out in a few days). Frankly there is no point in my humble opinion in screwing about with other options. There is a single file called shop.css that you use to customise the fonts etc.

p.s. House is zero work for me - not my project - it is her indoors job to sort that out. Should be moved in 4 weeks.

@shollot

It's as easy as typing yum update or apt-get update. But you won't have to type anything as the updates can be automated.
It's really not as bad as it sounds. Just pick a distro and go.. For E-Com site I'd reccomend CentOS. It's Redhat Enterprise
Linux, but for free. If you would like help with Linx let me know I can answer your ?'s or just send ya tons of E-Books, or both

As for Paying 300GBP for a commericial product just to have support, thats up to you. But I haven't had a problem yet (With either linux or
other Free OSS) that couldn't be fixed in 10min by typing an error from a log into Google/Google Groups. Why be locked into 1 place for
support, when you can have 1k's of people willing to help 24hrs a day, instead of just Mon-Fri 8am-5pm (In whatever timezone)...
But thats just me..

I've completely relaunched my online shop this past week based on the open source solution osCommerce.
If you don't mind getting your hands a little dirty (it's free = only support forum support), it can do amazing things and the breadth of available user-coded add-ons is -amazing-.

Check out my new site at www.GoFigure.de

I've still got a lot more to do, but it's up and working and it shits on it's predecessor (= my old site) in every way.
From a great height.