On one hand I hear this and on the other I hear that and I can't reconcile.

[CoolHandFluke]

I guess I just don't get.

All I hear is don't use GoDaddy for hosting you'll be sorry.

Ok after my 14th reinstall on my machine locally so I can use Easy PHP to easily see changes and modifications I am trying to make to the freaking header on my main page locally before uploading everything to my server, ZenCart will not complete the install because ZC doesn't create the database.

Well GoDaddy set up the database without a hitch, only editing the site was a pain.

While locally might give me freer access to change and edit the look the inability to easily set up the database is a killer.

I feel like I just want to breakdown and loose it.

The bottom line is all I really need is a back shopping cart that is not much more than a modified Excel spreadsheet where people can order one ten items we offer and I have wasted a full four days on this. I don't need to sell to Japan or Timbuktu or the next county for crisssake.


I am sure for most this probably works great and is everything they need but I feel like I bit off way more than I can chew and right now I have 22 hours of energy to spare in the bank (according to the 7 bottles of 5 hour energy I have scatted around my desk) when all I want to do is try to modify a freaking header.


I am going to hang my head in shame.

[schoolboy]

I know how frustrating this can all be for a zencart "novice" - most of us were there at some point...

I have learned that the thing that matters MOST OF ALL is getting a site up-and-running and EARNING CASH.

There are lots of very good free (or quite cheap) templates available, so you won't be stuck with the standard zencart "classic" template - so just choose one that more or less meets your basic design requirements.

Then get the site live and operationally functional - start TAKING ORDERS...

In time, you can make the design improvements / additions - but for now, do only what's necessary to start getting sales.

***removed "sales pitch"***


And yes... AVOID GoDaddy like the plague. There are many, many reasons for NOT using them for eCommerce. This forum is full of reasons why they are bad, bad news...

[CoolHandFluke]

What nobody seems to get and what makes Zencart NOT the thing for me is that fact that I am and the President of my company (my wife) is more interested with the fluff. Like I have said in reality I need nothing more that a modified excel spread sheet listing items and a mechanism letting me know that I have received and order.

We are a small local cookie company where the orders are all COD. We are focused on fluff and Zen Cart is overkill. Like trying to swat a mosquito with a shotgun.

And far as Godaddy is concerned I have no issues with them (yet). I have multiple sites with them for small groups (sports teams, fraternal organizations and the like) that I am associated with and they have never let me down.

I am quite content to stay a noob and advance no further.

[schoolboy]

Well... it's not as simple as you may believe...

(I'm talking about eCommerce... not zencart, or spreadsheets either).

People selling stuff over the internet has become the biggest target for fraudsters and criminals in the entire history of retailing.

Massive amounts of work have been done in the last couple of years to minimize the risks, and in addition, people who transact business over the internet are actually bound by a raft of not only Statutory issues, but regulations and procedures set up by the banking and credit card clearing industries.

Whether you are selling a few biscuits, or a range of Boeing 747's, the underlying principles are the same. You have a legal obligation to provide a safe and secure shopping experience for your customers.

Many people just use "paypal" buttons on their websites, and this is probably still OK if you are a garden-shed operation (little old ladies who make doilies in their spare time). But you have no control over many essential elements if you just use paypal buttons. (eg: controlling the countries - zones - in which you want to trade.)

If you click the link at the top of this page that says CERTIFIED HOSTS I am sure you will find one who will host your site for you, and do the basic install for you. Then, just find a better template, load your products and configure the store, and start selling.

[CoolHandFluke]

That's all well and good.

I guess I need an open source "order taking" system and that's it.

We have no desire to take money through the site. Right now and for quite some time, I need no more just an order form format for our garden shed shop.

[schoolboy]

I hope I'm not coming across as offensive... Apologies if I am...

In 1886 a guy called Dr. John Pemberton started a small company in his shed.

Today it's the world's biggest brand.

Proper eCommerce is good for business - regardless of what you are selling - because your CUSTOMERS will see you as being sophisticated and professional. On the internet it's quite easy to make a small business look like a very large business.

Giving customers confidence is perhaps the most critical aspect of selling online.

If you come across as a 2-bit, sloppy organisation, you will just not get people to buy from you online. They will not have the confidence to transact...

[dgent]

That's all well and good.

I guess I need an open source "order taking" system and that's it.

We have no desire to take money through the site. Right now and for quite some time, I need no more just an order form format for our garden shed shop.

You can do that easy with Zencart. Use the 'COD' payment gateway only (so no payments needs to be made but an order is still processed etc), and put in the product listing fields that the customer can select/enter their requirements.

So orders are processed and received, no money changes hands, and all relatively simple.