Need to create a beautiful site that also allows you to configure a product and buy

[AuctionHugh]

Is it possible to create a beautifully designed site, perhaps utilizing dreamweaver, then add on an ecommerce portion with product configuration options chosen by the shopper?

Our client wants a website that is as attractive as their print brochures. Then they need to be able to set up product options:

Product A:

o Large ($20)
o Med ($15)
o Small (10)

o Logo 1 (included)
o Logo 2 (included)
o Logo 3 (included)
o Logo 4 (included)
o Custom Logo ($25 extra)

o Standard Font (included)
o Raised Font ($20 extra)

Name printed on this product: _________________________
Optional Line 1: _____________________________
Optional Line 2: _____________________________

You make your selections (configure your product) then click add to cart.

The cart needs to reflect your selections and give you a total for this item, etc.

Then you need to be able to checkout. The details of your configuration needs to be sent to the store owner so they can create your product.

So, is there an ecommerce solution that would allow a beautiful website and a configurator, a cart and a checkout?

Our client has a functional website but it is not attractive.

Are there companies out there that specialize in this type of work?

Can this be done for a couple thousand dollars, ten thousand, what kind of cost would be typical?

Thanks.

[dunivan]

You could probably achieve this through modules in OScommerce, horrible GUI though in the admin area.

Have you looked into ZenCart at all? Im not sure how they handle customization, but they are a solid ecommerce solution.

[claybutler]

You could design a beautiful static site then use custom PayPal buttons for the ecommerce part. You can program just about any ecommerce option you want. Very flexible.

The other option is go with a full dynamic solution like Magento.

Check out this ecommerce site I did. Titan Support Systems - Powerlifting Gear and Training Equipment (http://www.titansupport.com/)

The back end is Magento.

Some of our products have a lot of options
Super Katana A/S Angled Sleeve 2 Ply Custom Bench Shirt - Unlimited - Powerlifting Bench Press Shirt (http://www.titansupport.com/products/bench-shirts/katana-bench-shirts/super-katana-a-s-angled-sleeve-bench-shirt-2-ply-custom.html)

Magento is very flexible and just light years ahead of oscommerce and zen cart. Beautiful clean back end too. You can tour a demo store at the Magento site and check it out.

If you want to talk about doing business just contact me through my signature links.

[Clarrie]

Another alternative is Joomla with the VirtueMart ecommerce component. You can add standard attributes for each product with price variations to match (that would handle your sizes and logo options), and also allow shoppers to add custom attributes to add their personalised text.

[simonm]

Sounds like you're selling T Shirts.

[mjtaylor]

Sounds like you're selling T Shirts.

T-shirts with raised fonts?

[AuctionHugh]

Another alternative is Joomla with the VirtueMart ecommerce component. You can add standard attributes for each product with price variations to match (that would handle your sizes and logo options), and also allow shoppers to add custom attributes to add their personalised text.

This is something I have considered.

They want a beautiful website though, not a square cookie cutter thing.

Can you really make beautiful joomla sites, if you great with doing them in dreamweaver but have not joomla experience?

And how hard and time consuming is it to set up both joomla and virtuemart for the first time? Is the maintenance a pain? Are there companies that could do that part cheaply working with a designer for the look and marketing focused aspects?

[simonm]

Raised fonts ...

I was thinking of the full stops on a cold day