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Need help with database, website interface... or something.

by burtonridr2
9 replies
I run a bike shop out of my garage and I want to expand online. I would like to find a program that can help me database our inventory so it is search able. I'm also trying to figure out the easiest and fastest way to keep our website up to date with which bikes we have for sale. I'm trying to make this a quick process, I dont want to spend time dinking around with html coding and things if I can help it.

Anyone have suggestions?
#database #interface #website
  • Profile picture of the author viane
    Use php for making online inventory , it will be easy for you to maintain inventory using it
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    • Profile picture of the author burtonridr2
      Is there an existing program or software I can use for free that can help me do it? I dont know php coding.
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  • Profile picture of the author Adaptive
    Burton, my suggestion is that you post the very same post in Craigslist in your town, asking for web & database programmers to give you bids. Be aware that an inventory program suitable for your garage might need to be replaced with something more powerful if you expand to a larger shop; with that in mind, get something that's good enough for now and easy for you to maintain the inventory and back up the data files daily. Unless you've had a passion for programming that you've never been able to fulfill yet, stick to your expertise and let a coder make code for you.

    Regards,
    Allen
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  • Profile picture of the author Spencer Westwood
    I second Adaptive, find someone local to help set it up.

    There are so many options available for you...

    An osCommerce would be one way, with some customisation

    You could look into openerp.com - with a Joomla/Virtuemart store.. and the fixed linkage.. An ERP system is kind of what you want, but with a link to an online catalogue too.
    It all depends on your resources in the business, your own technical skill, and patience to set it all up.


    Just some food for thought.

    Kind regards, Spencer
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    • Profile picture of the author Chris_L
      I suggest purchasing a car script (Most car scripts also work well with bikes.) and hire a web developer to implement it. There are many car scripts available online. They usually cost from $150 to $200. Here are some of the best ones:

      Motorcycle Dealer Script - Motorbike Sales Websites Software
      AutoBoss - AquaBoss - MotoBoss - Online Application Development - Curve2 Design
      CarScripts Classifieds - Powerful Auto Classifieds Ads Software

      (I'm not affiliated with any of them.)

      Just google "car scripts" for more choices.

      It isn't that hard to implement a script if the web developer knows what he's doing. Most reputable car scripts also come with technical support.

      Hope this helps.

      Chris
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      • Profile picture of the author burtonridr2
        Thanks for the help everyone. I like the idea of using something similar to a car dealership program. Is there a basic one that someone can recommend for free? Is is hard to integrate those programs into a website? I'm not sure if my hosting account supports it, now that I think about it.... It wouldnt support wordpress. With those programs do you have to have a website based on php? or can it be set up as a CSS coded website?

        I have a feeling I will need to hire someone locally, but I want to avoid the cost if possible.
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        • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
          Magento is a great app if you're looking to get your inventory online. See Magento - Home - eCommerce Software for Growth

          Bianchi USA is an example of an online bicycle store built on magento.


          Originally Posted by burtonridr2 View Post

          I'm not sure if my hosting account supports it, now that I think about it.... It wouldnt support wordpress. With those programs do you have to have a website based on php? or can it be set up as a CSS coded website?
          If your hosting account doesn't support wordpress, you will need to get a new host. You'll need PHP for just about everything suggested in this thread. Sorry, CSS isn't going to do it.

          Originally Posted by burtonridr2 View Post

          I have a feeling I will need to hire someone locally, but I want to avoid the cost if possible.
          Maybe find somebody who's into cycling and who also has some web programming skills. Barter bike parts & services for web development services.
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          :)

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          • Profile picture of the author corsair
            How about Shopify ( shopify.com) , I tried it a long while ago and it was fairly easy to get something up and running . I didn't actually use it to sell anything - was just investigating online shop alternatives . Theres no/very little need for any specialized IT knowledge.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jones Jeremy
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    • Profile picture of the author mywebwork
      Originally Posted by Jones Jeremy View Post

      i can help to you for database but there are two type of database connection system first is ms access and SQL.which connection do you want?
      The OP stated that he has no coding experience and would prefer an open-source solution, how does offering him 2 commercial databases (including single-user Access which is utterly useless for an online application) help him? If you were custom building it wouldn't you use PHP and MySQL like the rest of the world?

      Sorry for the rant but posts like this that offer no value get to me sometimes!

      To answer the ORIGINAL question, there is an open source inventory application called phpMyInventory that you may be able to use or modify:

      phpMyInventory - Home

      It's a little crude but functional, and as it's open source a programmer could alter it for you to suit your needs if necessary.

      Hope this helps, if you need assistance using this please let me know (and I promise that I won't ask about Access databases!).

      Bill
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