Best Ecommerce Website

xboxps3wow · Apr 17, 2013

Hello Everyone!
I've been gone for a while now, but need some advice...
I've been asked if I could create an eCommerce website for a friend. The thing is that I've never made one before, only static, WP, blogging type of website.
What would be the best way of going about this? What are some of the best templates, eCommerce platform?
What do people use, what do I need exactly... how do I got about this?

Some info:
It will be a small home business website that will sell jewelry (not more that 1000 items). They want to add all the inventory (photos, description, pricing etc) on their own. They do not have a big budget.

Thanks in advance.

Kintoups · Apr 17, 2013

If you don't have any experience whatsoever, I would go with either

Magento Go or
Shopify

It's really simple and easy to use.

You could also go with the Free version of Magento (Community) but it's not as easy. It depends on how comfortable you are with code in general. You can get some pretty cool templates from ThemeForest.

If you need templates for Shopify, go to ThemeForest.net as well.

GiorgioB · Apr 17, 2013

Hi, i have set up many websites with Magento community, its very easy and straight forward. If you need any tips, PM me and if you want to completely outsource it, let me know and we can discuss the details.

To answer your questions, I personally use magento on 3 of my sites and couple of of my client's sites. Its easy to use once you get your head round it, but most of all its very professional and very powerful in terms of features. In terms of templates, well its just like wordpress, you have some free ones which you can use and customize, or you can get premium ones which usually look much nicer. I personally think for a ecommerce website (expect a nice turnover) the appearance is crucial, we're not talking about a MNS or a autoblog...

Yeah, any questions in particular, feel free to drop me a line.

xboxps3wow · Apr 17, 2013

Kintoups said:
If you don't have any experience whatsoever, I would go with either

Magento Go or
Shopify

It's really simple and easy to use.

You could also go with the Free version of Magento (Community) but it's not as easy. It depends on how comfortable you are with code in general. You can get some pretty cool templates from ThemeForest.

If you need templates for Shopify, go to ThemeForest.net as well.

GiorgioB said:
Hi, i have set up many websites with Magento community, its very easy and straight forward. If you need any tips, PM me and if you want to completely outsource it, let me know and we can discuss the details.

To answer your questions, I personally use magento on 3 of my sites and couple of of my client's sites. Its easy to use once you get your head round it, but most of all its very professional and very powerful in terms of features. In terms of templates, well its just like wordpress, you have some free ones which you can use and customize, or you can get premium ones which usually look much nicer. I personally think for a ecommerce website (expect a nice turnover) the appearance is crucial, we're not talking about a MNS or a autoblog...

Yeah, any questions in particular, feel free to drop me a line.

Thanks for replying!
Question about Magento. Would a non-techie be able to add inventory and manage it after it is set up? (add descriptions, photos, etc)

Kintoups · Apr 17, 2013

Yes for all 3 options either Shopify, Magento Go or Magento Community a non techie can add a product easily and it will show up based on the template. It's really easy.

adroit · Apr 17, 2013

We can render our services .. we already worked on ecommerce based websites and can get you website in 3-4 days time frame ready in magneto with good looking designs ...check PM for few magento based websites we created for client... site will price around $300

Panther28 · Apr 17, 2013

Pro stores is a good options as it has a nice integration with ebay, and magento, worth a look.

GiorgioB · Apr 17, 2013

xboxps3wow said:
Thanks for replying!
Question about Magento. Would a non-techie be able to add inventory and manage it after it is set up? (add descriptions, photos, etc)

you can upload all in bulk or else you can add the products manually. bulk uploads are OK if you have a general knowledge of uploading feeds, manual upload is extremely easy.

Basically for bulk upload, you prepare everything (price, titles, descriptions, etc.) in a template in excel, and then you place the images in 2 specific folders in your server (import and media catalog). Once you've placed the images, you just need to add the path + image name in the CSV, and you can upload through your magento admin panel.

EagleRose · Apr 23, 2013

Not to bang on Magento, but I tried it and just could not get my head around it. Actually spend several days trying to figure it out.

But since the OP is already familiar with WP, why not get Shopper Press. It will do everything that you want, up to and including Bulk upload (CSV file). I have several stores using it, and I have several thousand items in each sore.

If you are looking for a true Ecommerce store with more bells and whistles, the look at CS-Cart and InterSpire Shopping cart. I use both of these as well. Intespire has stopped selling the software and are focusing on their own hosted version (Big Commerce). If you search in the BHW downloads section you will find Interspire Shopping cart.

iampresent · Apr 23, 2013

I have to second bigcommerce, it was my first and for a guy with no prior history with ecommerce platforms it wasn't difficult to setup at all, even customizing the themes were not to difficult,

checkout bigcommerce, volusion, and shopify, if im not mistaken they all offer 30 day trials

cybergodfather · Apr 24, 2013

iampresent said:
I have to second bigcommerce, it was my first and for a guy with no prior history with ecommerce platforms it wasn't difficult to setup at all, even customizing the themes were not to difficult,

checkout bigcommerce, volusion, and shopify, if im not mistaken they all offer 30 day trials

Thank you vero much my dear concern.

tonymu · Apr 24, 2013

the thing with hosted solutions like shopify et al is you are tied to there hosting, and therefore their monthly charges. I would go with an opensource solution, opencart is my preferred cart at the moment, works well out of the box, easy to customise, not as resource hungry as magento, loads of mods for nearly everything you can think of. I use it on numerous successful websites. Drop me a pm if you need any help with it at all.

imperial444 · May 16, 2013

joomla + virtuemart installed on it. is the best combination that works for me

WebmasterDeluxe · May 19, 2013

If you're looking for a turnkey solution, XenoCart is the best. You get a CUSTOM site as well as hosting included and affiliate management....Again, this is ONLY if you want something EASY and quick..

Best Ecommerce Website

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