Newbie Need Help Understanding How To Get Started

[eemiller]

I am considering using Zencart, but I'm not following the basics. I scan through this info and it seems potentially difficult and complex. I guess I assumed it was something simple to downloand and user friendly for a non-html-behind-the-scenes kinda person. I go to a lot of digital scrapbooking sites and I've seen a lot of them using this program, and I assumed then that it must be really easy for so many people using it.... but, how in the world does it work? Do I have to have a website, or can I just use my blog at blogspot? How does it work as far as customer using credit cards.... Do I have to arrange some agreement with the credit card companies, or is that figured out via Zencart? Can you give me quick synopsis of what to expect when installing? I don't want to invest my time, or any possible expenses, without first understanding what I'm getting myself into.

Thank you for your help.

[Kim]

Do I have to have a website, or can I just use my blog at blogspot?

To use the Zen Cart program, you do need to have a domain name and web site hosting.

How does it work as far as customer using credit cards.... Do I have to arrange some agreement with the credit card companies, or is that figured out via Zencart?

Yes, you need to Merchant Account in order to accept credit cards. We do have some recommended services or you can arrange your own.

Can you give me quick synopsis of what to expect when installing?

To install, you download the program to your PC, unzipped the program and then FTP the files to your hosting space. Then it is a few clicks to do the install itself.

[bobdog]

Kim sums up most of your worries.

On the other side, I remember my first zen cart. I basically threw a dart at ecommerce packages and that dart landed on zen cart.

At first it seemed overwhelming. But I committed myself to spending one hour a day for seven days in a test enviornment.

Day one...I don't get it. Is my hour up yet?

Day two...I remember that, don't get it. It's been an hour.

Day three...Oh I get it!

Day four...making progress

and so on.

[afo]

What Kim and bobdog said.

Your eyes will glaze over at first, but once the lightbulb goes on over your head, you'll wonder why you thought it was so difficult.

Don't expect to run before you can walk. It's a common mistake most of us make.

[bobdog]

In my case, I had to hit the ground running.

After seven days, one hour a day, I made my first zen cart.

Do not be afraid! Stretching the mind is a good thing. And be proud of the neurons creating brain pathways!

[eemiller]

I am new to this and I've seen a lot of digital scrapbooking sites that use Zencart. I am considering opening my own store and using Zencart. I gather that it's free?

I have a few other questions, too. I know I need a domain name and a place to host the site. Do I need to design an entire website, or will Zencart be enough?

Also, is this user friendly? Will it walk me through how to create everything? I see a lot of FAQ's on this site and I'm concerned about the difficulty of getting it together.

Please let me know what to expect. There doesn't seem to be anything to answer the questions of what to expect from start to finish for someone simply looking into the possibility and doesn't already have this started. So, I would greatly appreciate your help.

Thank you. :)

[Kim]

You new post has been moved to the original thread from February. Please do not start new threads for the same topic.

[schoolboy]

I am new to this and I've seen a lot of digital scrapbooking sites that use Zencart. I am considering opening my own store and using Zencart. I gather that it's free?

While relatively easy to install, the configuration of a customized ZC site does require a degree of knowledge and skill.

This is true of ALL OpenSource software, but Zencart is easier than many (if not most) others. Also, it is well-supported by this forum and the developers.

I have a few other questions, too. I know I need a domain name and a place to host the site. Do I need to design an entire website, or will Zencart be enough?

You will use Zencart as your COMPLETE site. Your host should be properly configured to handle eCommerce (MANY ARE NOT), so before you buy hosting, look at the link above for Certified Hosts.

Also, is this user friendly? Will it walk me through how to create everything? I see a lot of FAQ's on this site and I'm concerned about the difficulty of getting it together.

See my answer to Question 1 above. Many people offer commercial help and you can post for commercial help in this forum.