Template Engine Suggestion

[mike177]

I guess an example would help clarify the type of application:
http://www.alamode.com/Default.aspx

Basically, a template engine as I use the term (I am not sure if there is a name for this type of site) is a site like godaddy to an extent that hosts URLs, allows others to launch a site using your content, and manage their customers via their site hosted by us. In the above example, this is for the real estate industry, they have content (searching for houses) that is not easy to duplicate, so they charge for allowing agents to "leverage: their tech / content to launch a site branded as the agents. Our idea is similar, just different content.

Hope this helps those reading the post understand and provide suggestions.

Many thanks in advance for the advice.

Best Regards,
Mike

[yellow1912]

Ok, gotcha.

I think I see people doing that. I'm not really interested in having my site hosted on a "template engine"(or whatever it is) like that. It's nice to have all things set up in place, but I don't like the idea of having a 'limited control' over my business site. It can be a nice thing for starter/beginner though.

[mike177]

Yes, that is the idea... it is mainly for non-techs. For example, in the real estate space... real estate agents tend to be very non-technical. They simply want a site that will help them sell houses. Their preference is to never actually visit their own site, but just to have it to generate leads for their practice. A template engine would achieve this goal... in theory, pick your color, give us an email address, and punch the purchase button. And presto, instant lead gen machine (from their perspective). No fuss. No muss.

Lawyers, Doctors, etc tend to be the same... the max they want is to enter blog content on their site. The catch for them is: everyone can blog. So, if you have some unique content / tech that a non-tech cannot provide on their own and the non-tech does not need to maintain your tech, then they like it because differentiate their site (eg, house searching requires programing).

I have seen this model in several industries. There are ton of them in real estate, so they are easy examples to find (hence the reason I used the one I did).

My question is how to do this same concept considering we are using zencart?

[kobra]

Interesting concept depending on the market you are looking at as you stated the realestate market is fairly well saturated and specialized.

[mcf747]

Sounds like a good idea, just make sure to protect yourself. Bad resellers ext....
Also be ready to provide LOTS of support because as you already said this is for people who are really not computer literate. You probably also want to read the terms and conditions of your hosting company whoever you decide to go with because I bet you most of them say something about not "re-selling" there services which essentially you are. Good concept though.


MCF747