[Cvibe]

I'm trying to find the best method for building the site.

[mxer210]

You could ask me. I'd be happy to help you, and just finished building mine.

I started by purchasing an oscommerce template, which is pretty sweet, from oscoders.biz. The templates they sell there are around $180 for a good one, but are VERY nice quality programming, and once you purchase it, your website is completely done, and you just need to add your own products. What oscoders.biz does is uses an open source shopping cart called oscommerc(www.oscommerce.com). Oscommerce is great for building your won cart, and is also free. when you first download it though, it comes prettyy.....ugly(mainly the colors and images)....and needs a good facelift before usage I think.

I ended up scrapping the template I had originally purchased, and went with a custom design because I needed a design which appealed to the younger crowd and with more colorful and simple. I can sell you the template I bought if you want it too, which was a more professional looking store. Some examples of oscommerce are www.nitacreations.com, www.luxuryhaven.com, www.purefiveaudio.com(mine), and www.pawsuppetsupply.com. Those above are custom designs, but show the potential of oscommerce. Some alternatives are www.instantestore.com-this includes hosting for 50/month, a custom design for $250, and a store backend. Also zen cart, miva merchant, and yahoo stores(another great solution and claims to have 1 out of every 8 online store ). Good luck on your store and let me know if you need any help.

[malachi69]

Well if you knew HTML and PHP(two programming languages) you could download a free template and a free shopping cart, link them together and that would be your site.

However from your statement I take it you need an alternative way. In that case I'd go to a freelance site for programmers(just look one up on google). I recall some time ago I went to one freelance programming site and the programmers even make bids to create the site. One for instance would say I'll do it for 500 dollars in 5 days. Then another would say I'll do it in 10 days for 300 dollars.

Those people would love to make your site. Then there is the last way of going about it. I have a friend who is a college student, that works for a company making websites. He does authentic work, he uses no templates and he's programming his own shopping cart from scratch rather than using a premade one. I think he charges 10 dollars an hour.

[mpnetwork]

Hey mxer210, when are you going to offer shipping to Canada?

Its cold up here eh... all we do is listed to our iPODs.

[ExL Promotions]

I had a pretty good experience with iBuilder.com, I began an initial website in which is very easy to navigate. I recommend a plan on paper on how you desire it to look and operate. Don't forget your About us section and mission statement that is very important for alot of customers.
Also, arrange for you merchant acccount or paypal account so you wont be held up by you shopping cart feature.
It is really not that difficult, but it is time consuming. Just plan it well before committing to anyone company...they all offer something different, but are really just the same.

Feel free to visit mine at: www.ExLPromotions.cceasy.com (full e commerce) and, the other at www.ExLPromotions.com (search directory with online order request)

[mxer210]

I can only offer US shipping because my supplier doesn't want ot deal with the international fraud. Sorry.

[I'llwork4$]

If you want something that looks great and extremely user friendly, check out http://www.worldcreatedover.net
Our quick shopping carts can be created in minutes and prices are start around $9.95 per month.

Good Luck

[jpomerenke]

Originally posted by mxer210
You could ask me. I'd be happy to help you, and just finished building mine.

I started by purchasing an oscommerce template, which is pretty sweet, from oscoders.biz. The templates they sell there are around $180 for a good one, but are VERY nice quality programming, and once you purchase it, your website is completely done, and you just need to add your own products. What oscoders.biz does is uses an open source shopping cart called oscommerc(www.oscommerce.com). Oscommerce is great for building your won cart, and is also free. when you first download it though, it comes prettyy.....ugly(mainly the colors and images)....and needs a good facelift before usage I think.

I ended up scrapping the template I had originally purchased, and went with a custom design because I needed a design which appealed to the younger crowd and with more colorful and simple. I can sell you the template I bought if you want it too, which was a more professional looking store. Some examples of oscommerce are www.nitacreations.com, www.luxuryhaven.com, www.purefiveaudio.com(mine), and www.pawsuppetsupply.com. Those above are custom designs, but show the potential of oscommerce. Some alternatives are www.instantestore.com-this includes hosting for 50/month, a custom design for $250, and a store backend. Also zen cart, miva merchant, and yahoo stores(another great solution and claims to have 1 out of every 8 online store ). Good luck on your store and let me know if you need any help.

Just to clarify, my site isnt on oscom. anymore - my old site was- oscom. is great but wasnt for me because i am not very programing savvy, etc.

[rawsoft]

Are you looking for a paid solution or a free solution?