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cuteasabug
Joined: 04 Dec 2005
Posts: 187
Location: Hickory, NC
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| Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 11:03 am Post subject: e-Commerce Solution |
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I need an easy to use, maintain store that looks good, doesn't cost me an arm and leg on fees, servers reliable, easy to use cart.
Someone has recommended Yahoo platform built by www.ydesigns.com for $3250.00 plus the $79.95 to Yahoo plus 1% fee - this is not what I want.
Any suggestions?
Mary
www.blujay.com/cuteasabug |
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psunite
Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 6213
Location: Columbus OH
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| Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 11:51 am Post subject: Re: e-Commerce Solution |
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wow $3250 plus $79.99 that is pretty steep just to start out. You might want to take a look at this thread
http://www.powersellersunite.com/viewtopic.php?t=3364 |
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cuteasabug
Joined: 04 Dec 2005
Posts: 187
Location: Hickory, NC
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| Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:57 pm Post subject: Re: e-Commerce Solution |
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I hate to sound dense, but is this just for hosting? I need a designer and cart as well - the whole package.
It does sound like the server is stable/robust. Is it balanced to handle several stores?
So I think you are recommending Zen cart? and PS as the hosting - what do you suggest in the way of a designer?
Trust me when I tell you I know nothing when it comes to developing a site let alone driving traffic to it.
My current domain name (www.cuteasabug.biz) is with ProStores and still mine through Sept. so I need to get going here.
Should I move the domain asap or wait until the total package is lined up?
My profit margin is suffering from the listing and final value fees - they have been eating me alive.
Send PM with any suggestions.
By the way - lots of folks at PStores are looking for an alternative. Before I left over there I suggested coming to this site for help.
Mary
www.blujay.com/cuteasabug |
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kevinatgrannys
Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 1799
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| Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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Hi,
The web site that I have here with PSU had the cart, layout and everything all ready for me. (Once I figured out how to use all of it) Just click on my siggy to see what it looks like. And then ask away, everybody has been very helpful in teaching me how to do all of this stuff. |
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cuteasabug
Joined: 04 Dec 2005
Posts: 187
Location: Hickory, NC
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| Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:12 pm Post subject: Re: e-Commerce Solution |
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Looks good Kevin. Do you know HTML to get it to this point? Then do you drive traffic through adwords? hyperlinks?
I honestly think I have just broken the cement from around my feet with ProStores and feel I don't even have the questions to ask as of yet.
So, the template you chose, zen cart, etc. where all there? Is there a way to track inventory and add attributes as sizes of same style?
Mary
www.blujay.com/cuteasabug.biz |
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kevinatgrannys
Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 1799
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| Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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When I signed up I chose what was called "PSU stores".
I know some very basic HTML and such, not a guru by any means. I had one of the other members here help me change the look of my store. (PKC)
I went in and started adding items in to my store, a simple fill in the blanks affair. I also had to go in and put in the info for my Pay Pal so that the payments could be made through there. I think the hardest part was setting up my shipping parameters. (Still working on that one.) Once I had a few items up I went to the section for getting a Froogle Feed ready to go to Froogle. (Now you will have to change it since Froogle has switched over to Googlebase) I have also submitted my domain to other search engines. I try not to spend any more than I have to so, I have never used adwords. I've read both good and bad about them, still undecided. Another really good way to advertise is exactly what I had you do, use siggy lines where ever you can.
There is a very good inventory program that comes with this. Easy for me to understand and keep track of what has sold, what is listed and what is waiting for me to put out there.
Anyway, with lots of questions and help, I got what you see today.
I hope that some of this is helpful. If you need greater detail, just ask. |
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cuteasabug
Joined: 04 Dec 2005
Posts: 187
Location: Hickory, NC
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| Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: e-Commerce Solution |
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Wow! I know PKC from early Bidchaser boards.
OK - I have a couple inquiries into the local community college and a site provided through a PM from another member here.
I now have until Sept. to get going in another direction.
I actually paid for PS to market my site and saw no difference with adwords.
Summer is a slow time for my business and I really need to be up and running again by mid-August.
Let me understand - PSU is the host provider with templates that can be modified? Then you purchase a cart to attach? say Zen cart? and then the Paypal Pro? You pay for the PSU hosting, the cart and the monthly fees to Paypal is that the sum of the costs to go this way?
Mary |
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kevinatgrannys
Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 1799
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| Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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Mine as example:
I pay PSU for the hosting, templates and cart included all together. (Templates can be modified.) I use premier Pay Pal, the only fees I pay are when someone pays me through them. And I do my own promoting.
Cheap, aren't I??!? |
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psunite
Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 6213
Location: Columbus OH
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| Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:12 pm Post subject: Re: e-Commerce Solution |
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What kevinatgrannys is using it the "PSU Stores" That is hosting and the store software "the whole package" this is all separate from Zen Cart.
PSU Stores is similar to ebay prostores but it is not associated with ebay. No selling fees and it is a lot more flexable. It comes with quite few templates already and you can also make your own or edit the current ones.
Here is another website that runs PSU Stores www.gamesug.com |
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kevinatgrannys
Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 1799
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| Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks PSU, you always do better at explaining than I do. :mrgreen: :psulove: |
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2BOYSandTOYS
Joined: 14 Mar 2005
Posts: 10095
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:50 pm Post subject: Re: e-Commerce Solution |
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Kevin:
I think ya did a grand job!!!
Hiya Mary - yeppers, PKC is one and the same! I know he's been helpful to a few folks here that have signed up/subscribed to the PSU stores!!
Best of luck as you discover and decide the next best step for your business!
:D :D |
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cuteasabug
Joined: 04 Dec 2005
Posts: 187
Location: Hickory, NC
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| Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:28 pm Post subject: Re: e-Commerce Solution |
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Thanks Kevin/PSU & Erin!
I've contacted an outfit recommended by one of the PSU members for a quote including the cart.
Guess I'll go from there. The price is certainly right and I was able to browse there portfolio to say what I like and don't like from that.
In addition; they have accepted my input on the change of logo, etc. that I had in a file to fax to them.
Once I have the prelim mockup I'll know if they have what I've tried to explain.
Actually they have stated I can start loading merchanise while they design.
I'll share if it looks like a go - wouldn't want to recommend them before seeing potential product.
This is exciting to get away from the greedy ones! Something I should have done a long time ago.
Live and learn. I broke the first rule - "hire an expert do what you can not do." Trust me when I tell you I didn't save anything.
Mary |
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bahbahblacksheep
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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kevinatgrannys wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
Hi,
The web site that I have here with PSU had the cart, layout and everything all ready for me. (Once I figured out how to use all of it) Just click on my siggy to see what it looks like. And then ask away, everybody has been very helpful in teaching me how to do all of this stuff.
hate to sound like a real dumb azz but how the heck do you sign up ??? lmao , I'm having a bad day everyone |
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bahbahblacksheep
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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cuteasabug wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
Thanks Kevin/PSU & Erin!
I've contacted an outfit recommended by one of the PSU members for a quote including the cart.
Guess I'll go from there. The price is certainly right and I was able to browse there portfolio to say what I like and don't like from that.
In addition; they have accepted my input on the change of logo, etc. that I had in a file to fax to them.
Once I have the prelim mockup I'll know if they have what I've tried to explain.
Actually they have stated I can start loading merchanise while they design.
I'll share if it looks like a go - wouldn't want to recommend them before seeing potential product.
This is exciting to get away from the greedy ones! Something I should have done a long time ago.
Live and learn. I broke the first rule - "hire an expert do what you can not do." Trust me when I tell you I didn't save anything.
Mary
where did you go too cute as a bug? |
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kevinatgrannys
Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 1799
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| Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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bahbahblacksheep,
You can PM PSU and he will give you all the info for his stores. |
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