Web Designer Needing eCommerce Advice... (MS SQL)

[molecule]

Hi gurus,

I am developing a new site for a client who currently has an existing custom written Shopping Cart that interfaces with an MS SQL database using ASP. I'm no database guy, but I've been charged with creating a new storefront for him and replacing this buggy old cart with something more reliable and mainstream.

Right now he's on a dedicated host, but I think that he is overpaying for the service. I'd like to move him to a new host that has a shopping cart solution already integrated and supported that would be able to interface with his existing MS SQL database with as little effort as possible.

I have access to a guy who knows MS SQL who can do any "conversion" that might need to be done, but I'm not totally confident on my ability to choose a good host that will support the MS SQL database.

It would also be nice for the host to have an easy to use integrated control panel for configuring and updating his product database... he'll be doing that himself and he's not a developer or even a "computer guy."

If any of you have any ideas on a good host that could fit my requirements I would be most thankful for any links or advice.

Thank you!

[roban]

Alot depends on what he is selling and what kind of budget there is for this. I can tout Bluehost because they host a few sites for me including e-commerce. Their control panel offers, among other things, Fantastico with a few cart options: Zen, OScommerce, Cube Cart and Agora. These are all free carts. I use Cube Cart for three sites and have found that the support is best at Cube Cart. The newest releases are template based so they are easy to customize and supports about a dozen gateways. They have SQL and PHPMyAdmin for databases but do not support ASP. If you are interested in learning more, contact me.

[ADAM Web Design]

Like roban said, there are a lot of factors that come into play when "converting" an MS-SQL database from one form to another. Here are a few:

1. How well the original database was designed;
2. Any trash data that the original database contains;
3. Any identity fields that may exist in the former database;
4. Any defined relationships.

My suggestion to you is that, if you're no database guy, not to attempt this. This is one of the most difficult tasks I've had to deal with as a developer; usually, this takes me between 2-4 hours and I'm never quite sure that the data is fully correct.

There aren't a lot of ASP-based shopping carts, either. To the best of my knowledge, there aren't any good ones. Mind you, I'm a DIY kind of guy, I know ASP very well, and I've built quite a few custom carts. So I don't bother with the prebuilt stuff.

As far as a host goes, I would highly recommend Sectorlink. They support ASP and SQL Server, both of which without any difficulties. I've been with them 3.5 years and had a dedicated server with them for nearly 2. 0 downtime since July 2003 (even during the North American blackout), great service, great support, and they've always bent over backwards to help me.

I don't think they have a preconfigured cart for use with an SQL database and ASP, but even if they don't they may be able to recommend something. My suggestion would be to call tomorrow between around 10-3...usually Brian or one of the three Jasons is around and they might be able to help you where I can't.

[molecule]

Thank you both for your help!

I will look into Bluehost and SectorLink and probably call as well to see if they can offer any information on porting the existing database.

Thanks again to both of you. Hope you have a good holiday season!