I like to learn about online shopping/payment

[bejamshi]

Hi, I would like to hear from web designers what methods they use for online payment/Shopping carts?
What is the cheapest and most secure and widely used method for integrating it into a website. International payments as well?
What will it cost the client to operate and any other information you can provide will be appreciated.

[DesignVHL]

hey b -

There are so many options out there...from your 3rd party software app installs, to what your hosting provider can supply.

I personally use this: http://www.webshopmanager.com/

My hosting provider developed it. You have to use their hosting though to use the software. Very nice shoppingcart/ecommece/CMS web package....starts at $30/mo for the hosting and use of software. $50 for more products added in the shop - those two are both using paypal carts externally....for $100/mo though its personal shopping cart internally on the site, and unlimited products. This software is also a CMS too - its the only ecommerce/shopping cart I've ever worked with...I'm sure there are many other great solutions and price ranges out there. But, I have learned to implement it well, and my clients have been happy....it might be a tad more expensive than some other solutions - but they probably don't include a CMS.

[bejamshi]

Thanks, i noticed just now that the hosting company i work with also provides this service which is included in their fees.
http://www.netfirms.ca/ecommerce/

[DesignVHL]

nice. :) I'd run thru a demo first to make sure its what you want...but browsing that quickly, it loosk good too me! And great pricing structure too.

[bejamshi]

So, I am new to web design, so if I outsource e-commerce site, my web designer should be able to utilize this feature?

[DesignVHL]

I don't know what you mean by outsource....outsource as in use a 3rd party app? OR use the software by your hosting provider. OR are you outsourcing a web designer specifically?

What EXACTLY do you need to do? Do you have specific things you would like to have on the site? Do you want the site owner to be able to update on their own? Do you want to use paypal, or internal shopping cart? How many products are being sold (that could deterimine that package you go with)...

As for your web designer being able to utilize the feature...it depends on how good they are I guess. If they are not familiar w/ that exact ecom solution, CAN they learn it w/ ease due to past experience? Most probably can. I personally am a self-learner, so anything I need to learn through a project, I take the time to learn it, because ultimately, it can benefit my business in the long run for future clients...so I'm going to assume the same would be true of your web designer.

Not all web designers have done ecommerce though - I JUST got into it myself when I had a client ask me to look into. Turned out that my host had the perfect solution for me...so I'd say ask your web designer and see what their suggestion would be...maybe they have a preference or suggestion for you. Sometimes we like using stuff we are already familiar with. Some are stubborn and not willing to learn new things, some are willing to learn new things. No two designer is a like, you know that! :)

[bejamshi]

I agree designVHL, right now i do simple sites and nothing like e-commerce stuff but the need might arise when i need someone to do it. Like you said some designers have their own ways and methods, I guess it is best to ask.
What about payments, credit card wise, what does the client have to have, who do they get their money from if they don't use paypal. I guess i am very ignorant about these things.
I know paypal is the way to go. So many questions and I think slowly i will learn them. Thanks for being helpful.

[DesignVHL]

its all good b, glad I can help you! The whole secure credit card payment thing is built into the software you choose to use. I have to say i'm weary of papal now though - recently read some negative things about it...which if you search paypal on gdf you will see what i am talkin about....basically your client can retract payment...but then, you can retract their website so..who knows.

http://webshopmanager.com/p-135-features-pricing.html thats a breakdown of what my host provides for his software package/service. Not sure if that helps..but again, its all built inside the application. I really don't understand the full ins and outs of HOW all that works, I just know it does.

Ahem, but um, if u ever need to work w/ another web designer, I'm open to partnering up w/ other designers and such....great way to network and utilize special needs and do more business. I've partnered up w/ my web host (who also does web design) on some projects and its gone well. He's great at what he does, but VISUALLY his sites lack luster imho. They have better coding and software options than they do design...tho they are getting better. He did most of implementation of WSM for me, as I'm still learning...but they are writing a user manual which I cannot wait for it to be done....I'd like to be able to sell/offer this service on my website to future clients (once i get around to a redesign on it, as the one i have now SUCKS). Time is never on my side. :P

[bejamshi]

Thanks Design, for sure I will look into your services if the need arises, for now we are both learning, it never ends :)
take care and see you around
thanks again.

[DesignVHL]

word. I think learning is a NEVER-ENDING process in our world here....

[nicholaspaul]

'Outsourcing' is hiring someone outside of your company to do a job.
I don't touch ecommerce, I hire a programmer to do it.

I design, he programs, and never the twain shall meet!!

[bejamshi]

I like that ;)