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Advice on eCommerce software + plan

by Ewan1998 Banned
8 replies
Hi, I need some help with a plan here.

I am thinking of setting up a store where I sell posters that I make. I've got the orders, and obtaining the posters all sorted. But its the software I need advice and help with.

I'm 13 and I'm on a really tight budget. I don't want to spend more than $100 upfront for the software and no more than $10 a month. At least not pay more than that until I'm doing really well with it.

I know a lot about SEO so I've got that covered. I don't mind too much whether it's hosted or non hosted, as long as it's good and reliable.

Thanks.
#advice #ecommerce #plan #software
  • Profile picture of the author Sean Donahoe
    Depending on how many posters you have I would go with a Wordpress site and start small with something like WP Ecommerce. Very simple to use and free. There are modules that can expand functionality but it will get you started.

    I would also setup a fanpage for your art and posters if they are commercially viable. Get some social buzz going and feed people into your blog where they can see your work and buy it.

    All the best

    Sean
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  • Profile picture of the author DP55
    There's some free e-commerce platforms you can install straight from Fantastico in your cpanel. Get some basic hosting and you're away. I've never used it and it may be that you need a licence for it. Worth looking into though.

    Good luck! It's great to see someone so young taking action.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ewan1998
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Sean Donahoe View Post

      Depending on how many posters you have I would go with a Wordpress site and start small with something like WP Ecommerce. Very simple to use and free. There are modules that can expand functionality but it will get you started.

      I would also setup a fanpage for your art and posters if they are commercially viable. Get some social buzz going and feed people into your blog where they can see your work and buy it.

      All the best

      Sean
      Thanks, I'll definitely look into the Wordpress Ecommerce feature. And I'll also try and promote it like you said via a fan page on Facebook

      Originally Posted by DP55 View Post

      There's some free e-commerce platforms you can install straight from Fantastico in your cpanel. Get some basic hosting and you're away. I've never used it and it may be that you need a licence for it. Worth looking into though.

      Good luck! It's great to see someone so young taking action.
      Thanks as well for this. I've noticed that certain hosts are offering free ecommerce packages with the hosting, which I'll also look into.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sean Donahoe
    There are many Open source solutions but keep it simple where possible. Focus on your marketing and getting traffic to your products. Then focus on conversions. From there on in, getting the credit card out and completing payment is pretty easy

    All the best

    Sean
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    • Profile picture of the author Ewan1998
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Sean Donahoe View Post

      There are many Open source solutions but keep it simple where possible. Focus on your marketing and getting traffic to your products. Then focus on conversions. From there on in, getting the credit card out and completing payment is pretty easy

      All the best

      Sean
      Would Paypal be ok do you think managing all of the transactions?

      I was thinking of opening up a merchant account if the business got big.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sean Donahoe
    Start with Paypal, make sure you have a good seller on your hands before you contract to a MErchant Account. Also, you should do it under your parents names as you have to be 18 to have a business account. You can even use Web Payments Pro later on and a virtual terminal which although costs more per transaction saves you having to commit to contracts and fees from a Merchant processor and a gateway.

    All the best

    Sean
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    You should sign up with Yahoo Shopping also when it becomes successful. You should also consider ebay if you're not thrilled about promoting a website online.
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  • Profile picture of the author dave_hermansen
    Magento is a good free option if you are willing to learn how to use it.. It's fairly complex to learn the interface and how to customize it.

    Zulu Cart is amazing and very SEO friendly, but it's $29.97 a month (hosting included). The first month is free though..

    Initially using PayPal 'add to cart' buttons on a plain HTML site is a good idea too. You could move to a premium cart after it's profitable.
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