Power Sellers Unite

princessmirandajo · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 341

When it comes to all this stuff. Well, probably not, but I really don't want to jump into any endeavor without finding out all the answers to my never ending questions.

So, let's go through this again.

1) If I open a store on PSU, are there templates and are they simple to use?
2) Is it a hosted cart?
3) $9.99/month seems like a great deal as compared to other things I've seen. Why ?
4) Can I tweak and customize the code a bit without screwing up the whole template?
5) Is it easy to load and manage products?

Thanks !!

tfw · Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 353

No more so than me. It looks scarey but its not look at my store. I did it my self with only a few questions. They are very helpful here. Look on the left side of the screen you will see Ecommerce Details go there and there is a demo of the store both the admin side and the coustomers side try it out and get a feel for things thats what i did. Also read thru the hosting forum after you sign up it has a lot of answers to questions I had.

Hope this helps,
Terry

kevinatgrannys · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 1799

It takes a little learning but, If I can do it most anybody can. The cart is included with the store and all you have to do is connect it to your Pay Pal account or whatever.

As for it being cheap, I think its because there is not a lot of overhead with PSU, and most of us members help each other out instead of having someone who is paid, answering questions.

Check out my store, it started as the basic PSU store and with a little help from my friends...

princessmirandajo · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 341

Thanks for your help all. Can I use Google checkout too? Any other online payment services? Can I do a lot of tweaking for search engine optimization? How about adding things like sitemeter or is there a statistical counter already included???

Thank you all so much - I'm very excited about this new endeavor!

grannysuze · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 4:05 pm Post subject:

ya but.

Let me ask a few more ... :-)

You have to have your own domain name first, right? And then you host it with PSU and you get the shop site ... all that for 9.99 per mo?

Is there a charge for the shopping cart? It all goes through paypal, right, or can you use direct credit cards or google checkout?

I looked at a couple of the sample stores and they all look very nice ...

I'm just such a chicken with this new stuff! I'm afraid I won't be able to do it myself.

But when I first started, I realized the hardest part was actually convincing myself that I actually COULD do it ... It's the getting started that's the hardest.

Right?

zacksavenue · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 256

In my opinion, no one is a complete dummy!!!!

Just that if it is something that you have never done, experienced or encountered before you are going to be dazzled in the head till you figure it out or someone helps guide you.

I have been through all sorts of programming trying to figure things out and I know a lot. BUT, let me tell you. There is always something that is going to toss you through a loop if it is something you have never touched before.

And something else! Ask ANY programmer out there and they will tell you that with all their experience and knowledge, there is always something that they have either forgotten or added that will break any page! And it can be the most simple syntax as a "." out of place! I know, I have talked to a lot of them and there has not been one that has not made a simple syntax error and has taken them hours to find.

So, don't feel that you or anyone else is dumb! Just ask for help and try to understand only what you need to. Little by little gains more speed and a full head of steam!

princessmirandajo · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 341

Thank you all. Granny I agree with you because I'm just trying to convince myself. I have no doubt in my mind that I can do this. I'm just scared to go out on my own and leave eBay as advertising means instead of revenue means.

I'm a chicken. :)

kevinatgrannys · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 1799

As far as Google checkout, I think so but don't quote me on that. Ask PSU directly. I know other people that have these stores use their own merchant accounts with them. (Me, I'm to small to have a merchant account at the moment.) There is a list of 17 different payment methods already set in the "Store" section.

The shopping cart is included in the $9.99 / mo.

As I said, you do need to learn a little bit. However, the way that I did most of my learning was to go in and start clicking on button and find out what they do and where they lead me. I do know that you can't really mess it up to bad...I tried!

Also, yes, you need to get your own domain name and then point it at your PSU store after you get one.

princessmirandajo · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 341

Hey Admin - can I get a free 15 days to set up my storefront?

LOL

but please?

heh

joflora · Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 1760

You can do it. Know how I know that for absolutely positively sure??? Because I'm doing it. I am computer illiterate and I make no bones about it.

It scared the daylights out of me! But PSU and Sylvia and Kevin have held my hand thru it. I've made so many screwy mistakes and asked for things that are outside the norm evidently. PSU found me workarounds to do what I absolutely HAD to have!

I'm still not done with it. I'm loading my product one at a time because I want the pix just so and this changed and...you get the idea.

And I know there's something else that I'll manage to screw up and PSU or Sylvia or Kevin will have to untangle me. I'm very grateful for all of them!

So.....don't delay. Go for it.

And, btw, it's not an all or nothing thing. You can still do ebay too as needed.

I use a merchant account and you can always send a Google Invoice. As far as I know, checkout is not yet set up.

You have to take that first step off the end of the pier. Someone will help you stay afloat until you're comfortable. I can't say enough good things about this and the helpful people here!

Jo

kevinatgrannys · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 1799

:oops:

2ndhandrosefrommo · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 456

Hi to tell you the truth I am having a heck of a time with it. But you have to understand I know nothing about this stuff. I just keep reading in the forums and I'm getting a little bit done at a time. If you know anything about websites thats more then me. Its going to take me a while but I will get it done. There is so much help here between PSU,Sylvia and all the good people of PSU you can't go wrong. E-You,Later!

psunite · Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 6213 Location: Columbus OH

Most of theses answers have already been answered by the fine folks above but I will give a quick summary here.

1) If I open a store on PSU, are there templates and are they simple to use?
Yes there are templates. Templates are simple ti edit since they consists of one html file and a css stylesheet.

2) Is it a hosted cart?
The cart is hosted on your site and domain. Which is already setup.

3) $9.99/month seems like a great deal as compared to other things I've seen. Why ? We think that everyone should have their own website

4) Can I tweak and customize the code a bit without screwing up the whole template?
Yes you can add any code to the template. A popular snippet of code is http://www.google.com/analytics/

5) Is it easy to load and manage products?
You can load items individually through the web interface or create a csv file bulk lister

2ndhandrosefrommo · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 456

Hi,in my other post I forgot to mention Paul. Before he had his health problems I watched him help many people with their stores and I'm sure when he is feeling better he will be back again. E-You,Later!

angelsolutions · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: I've got to be the dumbest

:oops:

I believe anyone can do anything they set their mind to do, whether they know how at this moment or not. It takes patience, dedication, courage and a sincere desire to learn. Most of all, it takes a strong desire to succeed on your own.

:psulove:

sylvia