Cart Solution ? all ideas welcome

[Kane]

Hi,

I run the following website, Fishtail Parka: Official Site For Vintage M51 Parka and Classic M65 Parka, 6 years in the game now, no 1 worldwide. thats the good side..

what i want is a cart/commerce solution that would enable me to display my entire catalogue on my website. I want something that can be coded into what is already there and display items, prices, options etc. I dont want to mess too much with the website, its SE position is outstanding...so I want minimal effects on that.

Ideally a sofware that can sit on my PC where I can create the database of stock, images etc, input relevent pricing, shipping etc. Then take the resulting cart code from that, input on site and voila....

Am i dreaming here ?

Any and all suggestions, ideas and thoughts welcome. thanks

[caravan]

We've been using CS Cart recently which seems to do a good job for us. Shopping Cart Software and Ecommerce Solution: CS-Cart. Free shopping cart trial.

[danners02]

take a look at shopping cart from Shopping Cart Software | Ecommerce Software - Interspire - hosted solution though, not desktop

[confettiguru]

The key is to not change your URL. I use Network Solutions Pro Cart and also have
1st page 1st position for most of my keywords. When I switched, about 3 years ago, I worried
about losing position. The advice I got was don't change the URL. I kept it and kept my spot.
My site is about 11 years old so that probably helps.
Good luck.

[funsun]

We use Pinnacle Cart, works great! They have both a hosted and licensed model.

[kylegetson]

Magento Commerce

[simonm]

About 5 years ago Janeth came up with a shopping cart that she offered as a free download.

[puamana]

Take a look at CoffeeCup Software's Shopping Cart Creator v3.
HTML Editor, Flash & Web Design Software | CoffeeCup Software - It may be able to fill your requirments.
Personally, I use Agora.cgi Shopping cart (pro version) and love it.

[jmedinger]

If you want a piece of software that resides on your PC and you create your store there and then when you're ready upload your changes to the web then Actinic (www dot actinic.co.uk) is the software that you want.

However if you want a dynamic piece of software that maintains live stock levels for you, can be managed from any internet connected PC, has a templated front end that you can develop yourself or have developed to look exactly like your own site then I'd recommend JShop (www dot jshop.co.uk).

I think that the versatility and more to the point the flexibility of JShop far outweighs any perceived benefit of keeping he code on your PC and uploading that to the web when you make changes (imagine if your hard drive dies and therefore your entire shop with it...)

Both pieces of software are commercial (retail at about £370 and £200 respectively) and have active forums and user communities to support your move into e-commerce.

Hope this helps!

[bassman55]

Hi,
I have found Zen Cart to be a nice cart solution. It is free to download and use. Open source and lots of free templates. Large support community for how to's and problems. Might be what you need.

[allaffiliatepro]

In my experience, for a secure cart that you setup the DB, etc, locally and publish to the web, Actinic.com is the best solution


Lyle

[ManagedLinks]

I am surprised no one so far has mentioned oscommerce
osCommerce, Open Source Online Shop E-Commerce Solutions

Its the leading open source shopping cart solution. complete with a multitude of payment options

perhaps you could take a look at that. Of course its easier to get a hosted shopping cart but that eats into your profit.

DC

[cw1865]

Originally Posted by Kane

Hi,

I run the following website, Fishtail Parka: Official Site For Vintage M51 Parka and Classic M65 Parka, 6 years in the game now, no 1 worldwide. thats the good side..

Consider the risk. Change all the urls and you could lose all that nice ranking. Leave well enough alone. Try a cart with a secondary url and see how well it works. If it works well for you then work it into your existing site.

You should be seeking a shopping cart solution that has a custom url rewrite function.

From what I am reading I think you should at least check out americommerce:

AmeriCommerce Knowledgebase

I do not currently utilize americommerce.com but I am considering them for a nest of sites. I currently utilize volusion and magento and I sware by volusion and my magento experience has not been kind (please don't go there!)

[davuart]

Having read the replies, there is a lot of advice, one I would certainly steer clear of is Actinic, I have my views on that system but this is not the place to vent them.

You mention that you want to be able to leave the site pretty much as is, to which another member stated its the url thats important, very true however so are the page names and content, when it comes down to SEO some people do not fully understand the impact changes can have on a business and its turnover.

I would personally look toward a system which runs online, far better access worldwide so you are not limited to sitting in front of your own system to make even a minor change.
You make mention that you already have the products etc along with prices descriptions set up, and wish to be able to link any system directly to these.

One thing I have found is that many systems do most of what you want but not everything or they do it in a way you do not like, which makes it counter productive. The best thing you can do is have one built to exactly how you want it, that way you have full control and the product becomes extensible and can grow with you if and when required, without finding out you now need to change cart completly as the old system does not do and will never do what you now require.

If you are in a rush or do not wish to invest further in the business then Zen cart is a solution which may fit, as it has a great community following and being open source gives the best potential for future growth.

SD

[UCSI]

Hi there - you may also want to check out Miva Merchant. I think a problem you may run itno with any dynamic cart and URL rewrites is, that you are using htm and html extensions on your current site. Just a thought.

[NJ]

Whatever cart solutions you are considering, make sure that you give the demo a run before trying any of them! Too many times we install software, spend a bunch of time setting it up, only to find out that our own requirements weren't clear. Giving the demos a try will flush out some of the user interface - and owner interface - features that don't quite match your needs.

[Webnauts]

After thorough testing of the most popular, but also unpopular carts, we consider so far as the best Ubercart. Still because we cannot find a cart that does what we wish (maybe too advanced?), we are building a cart since February this year and must be ready some time end of this year. And it will be called Evilcart.

Keep that in mind.

[Milo]

Originally Posted by NJ

Whatever cart solutions you are considering, make sure that you give the demo a run before trying any of them! Too many times we install software, spend a bunch of time setting it up, only to find out that our own requirements weren't clear. Giving the demos a try will flush out some of the user interface - and owner interface - features that don't quite match your needs.

Couldn't agree more. Really, there are a lot of carts out there, its entirely dependant on your needs and skills. If you are not too savvy with php , or at least html i would recommend getting a solution that has tech support otherwise you may find yourself in trouble if you break or cannot do something on the cart. Free cart have a great community out there but my opinion is that it is much better to deal with the actual developers of the programmes. I find a good solution for me (although it is server based, not on your desktop), is cubecart (CubeCart - Free & Commercial Online Shopping Cart Solutions). Nice and simple, excellent tech support, cheap with a 30 free trial and did i mention excellent tech support.

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by Milo

... and did i mention excellent tech support.

I do not agree about their support. And that cart has endless of issues.

[Milo]

Originally Posted by Webnauts

I do not agree about their support. And that cart has endless of issues.

Tech responces within 24 hours, free upgrades to fix any issues encountered and I'm happilly running 2 e-commerce sites using this package. Can't really ask for more.
I never mentioned this as the be all and end all of shopping cart software, it just works well for me and may not be for everyone.
BTW Show me a cart that has no issues, I'd love to see it.

[X-Cart]

You could use any shopping cart that supports product options, required payment and shipping methods. Also, let me give you an advice - take more photos of the products and they should be professional ones. When customers choose clothes, they pay attention to images...

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by Milo

BTW Show me a cart that has no issues, I'd love to see it.

As I said, Ubercart is an open source, and has most cart functionalities (modules, etc) we found so far, and is far ahead from CubeCart.

Cubecart may be a good cart for novice webmasters and who have no high expectations. There I would agree with you.

[cw1865]

Actually sounds really interesting, I hope you keep us up to date on its development.

Evilcart, nifty name!

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by cw1865

Actually sounds really interesting, I hope you keep us up to date on its development.

Evilcart, nifty name!

Yes, I think it is a nifty name. And in combination with the slogan:

Evilcart …when ‘good’ isn’t good enough.

[UCSI]

Originally Posted by Webnauts

Yes, I think it is a nifty name. And in combination with the slogan:

Evilcart …when ‘good’ isn’t good enough.

LOVE it! That is perfect

[Milo]

Originally Posted by Webnauts

Cubecart may be a good cart for novice webmasters and who have no high expectations. There I would agree with you.

Now, now John, play nicely. I never said that and its not true, so nothing to agree with and a very obnoxious statement. My only high expectations for an e-commerce package is that it helps display the product and sell it in a professional way which this does. There are also many add-ons available in Cubecarts growing market and their structure and code is nice and neat. Do you run any Cubecart stores yourself? Strange comment as well, since you actually recommended Cubecart to me a while ago

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by Milo

Now, now John, play nicely. I never said that and its not true, so nothing to agree with and a very obnoxious statement. My only high expectations for an e-commerce package is that it helps display the product and sell it in a professional way which this does. There are also many add-ons available in Cubecarts growing market and their structure and code is nice and neat. Do you run any Cubecart stores yourself? Strange comment as well, since you actually recommended Cubecart to me a while ago

After setting up and skinning a shop for a customer last February, it was the time we decided not to use it ever again.

Here is their shop: http://www.gameshop.gr

[Milo]

webnauts, your opinion on Cubecart is totally obnoxious and so is your responce above, it explains nothing. It has nothing to do with their tech support, which you said was bad and your comment about who should use it "Cubecart may be a good cart for novice webmasters and who have no high expectations. There I would agree with you." is childish.

Lets move on though as I'm only recommending what I think is a good product and there are many out there. I am still to find the perfect shopping cart and as every business operates differently, don't think its possible as there are too many variables.

Lets not detract from the posters question here:

Cart Solution ? all ideas welcome

[websitescripter]

There's a lot out there that offers such services but the best is iscripts.com. They have an open source software that allows entrepreneurs to create a fully branded online store builder. They also offer a unique shopping cart supporting digital and physical products which support multiple vendors.


Hope this helps.

[Mark Antonio]

Kane:

Have you chosen your shopping cart? If not, consider these points:

• Most of the popular cart providers load their shopping cart's admin control panel with features you will never use in your entire lifetime. Worse..sometimes the same feature is shown under different names. Are they charging you extra for these useless features?
• Does the cart provider gives you enough option to customize the features? For example, in your line of business you need to set a "specific taxation system". Can they code it for you? Again...if they do what are their charges? Compare the customization charges with the other providers.
• What are their support scope? Are they providing any testimonial (real..not imposters!) from existing customers? The support - is it 24X7?
• How do you upload or download your data (important for you)? If you have a POS system, can they integrate the shopping cart with it?
• Pricing - What are the hidden costs? (believe me...except a few, almost all will charge you for non-existing services!)
• Finally, today's online shoppers do not go for beautifully designed stores! They prefer simple shopping selling good products at the right cost. Can your online store support provide this?

Regards,
Mark

[SiteSmart]

My vote is for Magento.

[jordanmichael2]

Please visit Infyecommercesolution once.