how hard is it to create a shoping cart?

[rafiki55]

Excuse the ignorance, but how hard is it to create a "shopping cart" or an online store? And costs involved.

If it's "hard", then what sites offer these services and are they any good?

Any other advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Robert

[Dark_Opal]

Creating a shoppingcart or E-store as it's commonly refered to is a lot of work, especially since it appears you want it in flash.
There's a lot of backend stuff involved including databases and such. My advice is that unless you're extremely good at these kind of things, go to http://www.paypal.com and sign up for a free e-store service there. I've heard they're good.

Good luck

[rafiki55]

well, no it doesn't have to be in Flash, but I was wondering how hard it would be if a customer asked for it. Is there a place where you can buy the code? And how easy is it to edit and place on a site with a custom look?

[Dark_Opal]

Originally posted by rafiki55
well, no it doesn't have to be in Flash, but I was wondering how hard it would be if a customer asked for it. Is there a place where you can buy the code? And how easy is it to edit and place on a site with a custom look?

There's numerous sites offering shoppingcart services, since creating one for yourself take ALOT of skill... I believe paypal's service is partially customizable... Try going to the site and reading their FAQ.

Good luck

[fancy a brew ??]

I had the book 'Flash Actionscript for Dummies' out of the library a few weeks ago, and I seem to remember that it had a small section on making a shopping cart. The actual actionscripting isn't actually too hard I don't think - you could make a very simple one yourself, but if you wanted it to accept proper credit card orders, and have proper security, then it becomes very complicated indeed.

If you are making a proper retail site for a client, then I think you'd have to sign up with someone like penpal.

Ben

[Pazul]

Problem with PAYPAL is that the customers have to sign up for an account and then enter the code that comes on there next statement to be able to use their credit card (could be 30 days from the activation) NOT GOOD for e-biz if the customer cant buy on the spot. I suggest you check out quicken's quickbook pro software and suggest it to your customers (they have a partnership with CHASE bank and they shopping carts/cc acceptance is all in a very reasonalbly priced package. Much cheaper than verisign.

Quickbooks is the way I suggest to small businesses around here that want to get online. Check out the website and the cc acceptance services they offer

[Tazmania]

There is a program called EC Builder that lets you build a shopping cart site. it is xtremely easy to use. It does not have the scripting for databases so you can not have that feature. but you can list all your products and a viewer can purchase a product using credit. You can buy it at stores like future shop( apporoximately $300). If you want a more advanced site with a database you need to explore MS Commerce Server( that allows you to connect to a database).

Then there is the consideration of merchant accounts, certificates etc. You really need to read up on these to fully understand how to create a proper secure shooping cart site.

good Luck

Tazmania

[gadawg]

I have used Miva Merchant in the past for my e-commerce sites. It is very easy to work with for the most part and is some what customizable. I just used Miva as the back end database. My front end was done completely in Flash 5. If you have any other questions just let me know.

[Notty Dread]

I have used shop factory eflash (nothing to do with flash!), it was vey easy, highly custopmisable.

I needed help, and even though I only got the free version on a mag cover, shop factory helped me out loads.

[Furpants]

Can you show me a link that uses Miva Merchant with Flash?

Thanks!