Store Fronts or Shopping Carts?
By byfaithonly
@byfaithonly (10698)
United States
May 12, 2007 6:31pm CST
Ok, I've just spent almost 2 days searching for, setting up, and playing with my new online store.
I'm now too tired to get my products on so currently I have one item listed and need to change at least the picture for that. With that said it's obvious I'm not looking for a lot of customers right now:)
I would however love to have you visit if you'd like and give me any suggestions, tips, or please please please some encouragement - I'm totally new to this:)
Link to my store http://byfaithonly.com/catalog/I would also like to know if anyone here does or has used the osCommerce software? Has it worked well for you?
One last option - does anyone else here have an online store front or use a shopping cart feature? If so I'd love for you to leave your links here so I can visit and possibly get some ideas for layout and such :)
9 people like this
17 responses
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
14 May 07
First of all I have note we have a lot in common I'm guessing fpd are your initials, mine are fad and 1955 the year you were born - me too :)
I visited your store and bookmarked it - I saw several things I would like myself for kids and grandkids particularly :) Just need to hope I do well with mine so I can afford to 'go shopping'.
Also, I'll check out CubeCart - it looks very similar to oscommerce.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
14 May 07
Oh I didn't even think to check the sizes. I will certainly keep you in mind though and did see a couple I would like for myself :) Just bills come first :( And may God bless you also.
1 person likes this
@fpd1955 (2074)
• United States
14 May 07
Yep, my initials are FPD, but all my friends call me Ginger. Both names come from my grandmother. I was born in August of 1955.
Thanks for bookmarking my store. Unfortunately, we don't carry children sizes. I have made exceptions for friends and have gone to the store to buy children's sizes, but the colors are limited. If you want something special, just email us and I will see what I can do.
God Bless, Ginger
2 people like this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
13 May 07
Faith, it is almost midnight EST and your link is broken. I would love to take a look at your site but can't now...will try to look tomorrow night after work.
3 people like this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
13 May 07
I ams sorry I still can't get there...maybe it is my browser..I am using Safari or Firefox on my Mac.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
14 May 07
The link in the discussion is messed up -
Here's the correct address http://byfaithonly.com/catalog/
1 person likes this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
14 May 07
It was too white..maybe a nice simple background.
Now about your product..can you actually make a living or a real profit selling something like that...handmade at that price? You may be under pricing.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
14 May 07
Yea that's one thing I'm not afraid of - trying new things online. It's off line I have a problem. I'm excited about this project it's just frustrating right now trying to get the kinks out - I'll keep at it though, may not end up 'perfect' but nothing in life is so I'll be happy with what I get I'm sure. Also see it as being much like the rest of my web site - always making changes and trying new things.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
14 May 07
thanks linda - have a long way to go but am hoping as long as I don't spend much time on mylot to have it up and running within the next week or two.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
13 May 07
I have never had an online store, so I'm not in the best position to comment.
I do know a fair amount setting up websites, & have seen a lot of stores & other programmes online.
You are on the right path with yours. I always favour a lot of colour. Some nice photos, etc.
Your links work, which is good. What payment syatem are you going to use?
When you have done more to your site, send me the link.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
13 May 07
Paypal & visa cards are fine. Good options. With cheques, just make sure you advise people tht you will wait for the cheques to clear before you post goods.Guess you know all that anyway.
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
13 May 07
Thanks Jenny - I still have a lot of work to do like getting shipping and returns information in place and stuff like that.
If I've done it right it should give the options of PayPal, credit cards, and check or money order for payment. There are other options that came with the system but I'm not familiar with or don't deal with them so shut those off.
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
14 May 07
Yes, putting the 'disclaimer' for purchases by checks is on my list of 'things to do' On my site where I've been selling the baby sets I said 5-7 days for checks to clear the bank.
1 person likes this
@bunbunrocks (185)
• United States
13 May 07
I had a hard time with the os commerce set up with shipping and all so I went to www.diyestores.com. Shopping cart included, with secure place for credit card numbers if you choose to accept them. It's totally plug and play - you choose a template, get graphics made for that template (wasn't too expensive) add pics, descriptions, and policies!
My site is www.lpsohmy.com
You're off to a great start, and good luck getting that program figured out!
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
14 May 07
someone else said the same thing, they switched from os to diyestores but I checked the site and it says their not accepting any new users (or something to that effect) right now. I may keep checking back to see if that changes.
1 person likes this
@bunbunrocks (185)
• United States
17 May 07
I'm sorry, I didn't even think to check that before I gave the link. They won't add new people if their servers aren't ready for it. Good thing though, is my site hasn't gone down at all yet.
I'll keep my eyes peeled for you!
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
15 May 07
thanks 'g' I have more but figured I'd only add a few things to 'play' with until I get this program figured out. I found some tutorials that helped some but I'm not at all familiar with php so like learning a new language all over again :( Now where there's html I can handle that no problem :)
1 person likes this
@suscan (1955)
• United States
13 May 07
I think you off to a good start. Of course like was mentioned the color scheme you might want to change. WE purchased websites and are working on them to start our
Business. We had been selling on Ebay and and an online store there. But costs have been constantly rising so we decide to go the web site route. Good Luck with your site. I will check back to see what your site looks like as it progresses.
3 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
14 May 07
I had thought of eBay at first but I checked their price for a 'store' and nearly $20 a month with just started and not knowing how long or even if I would sell anything didn't like that idea. Also the items I'm selling 'visual' is very important and eBay charges for every picture you upload plus a percentage of the sale - decided I could easily end up just giving my money to ebay....
1 person likes this
@ricknkae (1721)
• United States
13 May 07
Looks promising
I have never set an online store myself - sorry
I am sure as soon as you got more things to sell it will be better
Are you going to sell only your own stuff or are you going to list other people stuff too ?
Will you accept paypal?
3 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
13 May 07
Thanks, I'm sure your right more stuff will certainly improve the appearance - just need to take inventory and get some new photos.
Yep, all set up to accept PayPal and credit cards.
Kinda playing with the idea of listing other people's things too but that gets really complicated - my main concern would be getting a bad reputation myself if someone didn't ship an item or something like that. LOL - I'm not eBay - yet :)
2 people like this
@applsofgld (2506)
• United States
15 May 07
I couldn't bring up your link Faith. Can you send it to me privately? I am a shopper not a computer type programmer, my son in law does this very well. But he is not here right now so I can't ask him. Most of the stores I visit have the shopping cart feature. Hope that helps. Good luck.
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
16 May 07
LOL - I'm thinking I'm not a computer programer type either after getting into this. If I had the money I would seriously consider hiring someone to do this for me but alase not in the budget now so doing the best I can on my own.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
16 May 07
Well, I tried to PM the link to you 2 times and their not going through for some reason so hopefully you'll get it this way this is the correct link http://byfaithonly.com/catalog/
@mimatexas (1818)
• United States
13 May 07
I am trying to use the link to your store but I am afraid I can't upload it. Please double check it and let me know. Thanks.
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
13 May 07
Yea bad thing about not being able to edit our discussions once we've posted - was typing too fast and didn't space between the '/' and 'I'
Here's the correct address http://byfaithonly.com/catalog/
2 people like this
@mimatexas (1818)
• United States
13 May 07
I got it! The blanket looks really cute. Seems the price is pretty fair. God bless you in your endeavor and wish you the best.
3 people like this
@twils2 (1812)
• United States
13 May 07
I would say that your off to a great start. Cant wait until you some more items and pictures. My wife tried this once so I have a pretty good idea how much work it can be, especailly if you dont know much html. Good luck and keep us updated, Terry
3 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
13 May 07
I think the hard part for me was getting the program set up on my domain and then getting all the peramiters and stuff to work right. I know simple html but php seems to scare me a little - just because I haven't taken the time to figure out how it works. Thank you for the good luck wishes, I need it.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 May 07
Hello Faith. Popped over. Thought the site looks grey and faint. Hurting my eyes. It doesn't look like a shopping portal too, at least not immediately. :P
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
13 May 07
Yea I certainly agree with you on the color thing - way to light for me but haven't been able to figure out where to change that yet. Geez, I can't figure out how to get the title on the page - got it on the top of the browser but my eyes were going crazy trying to sort through all the code.
Think everything needs a 'bolder' color to make thing like the different sections to stand out more.
1 person likes this
@sjohnson628 (3197)
• United States
13 May 07
That blanket is beautiful! I have never done anything like that with the osCommerce software. I wish I could help you further but your page looks great to me. Good luck with the store and the software!
3 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
13 May 07
Oh thank you, they are really much prettier than that picture for some reason the color is way off at least on my computer. Also thank you for the good luck - I need all I can get.
Also have been dieing for someone to respond to this because the url to my store is off typing too fast and didn't space between the '/' and 'I'
Here's the correct address http://byfaithonly.com/catalog/
1 person likes this
@itvcharter (35)
• United States
19 May 07
I visted your site, It's coming along. My son is getting married next year and will probley need some baby stuff as you have.
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
16 May 07
Faith i went and took a look at your store,it is very nice.You have really been busy i see...I thought you did a great job...I think for one maybe you need to have more sale items but that can always come later.I think you will have great success...
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
16 May 07
Thank you but I'm a long ways from being finished - I'm having a horrible time figuring this program out.
I do have more things to add but want to get the basics down before I get too carried away. LOL when I posted this discussion I only had 1 item on but I still need to go back and work on the descriptions of what I have on there already and then do a test run to make sure everything works.
Also thank you for your vote of confidence - success would be nice forsure but don't want to get my hopes up too much. I've sold several baby afghans and sets already but have had those on my web site for a little over a year now. Also, they are rather time consuming to make so honestly don't mind not selling too many of those :)
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
15 May 07
I haven't used any of what you've mentioned but wanted to tell you that your very talented and I love the way you have it saying "the store with no name yet"...that's so funny. I'll probably be one of your customers one of these days. Good luck with it.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
16 May 07
I do like to make people laugh or maybe I should say I like people to have emotions because there are often times I'll have people in tears - I just felt I had to have something there, one thing I figured out how to do and with no name yet it just seemed to work.
Just watch that silly title will get more attention than a serious one :)
