I know this isn't motorcycle related, but how and where can I make a web site that has a secure ordering page?
I know basic HTML and can do forms, but my mother wants me to make a site where she can sell stuff and have the credit card info sent securely. I'm not going to host it in house, so I need a service I can trust. I actually don't like the fact that she wants someone as inexperienced as me doing it, but she does.
Please steer me to where I can at least do some research.
Thanks y'all
PS I'm not a big programmer, but I do have my MCSE and have a decent knowledge of networking.
First decision is whether you want to build vs buy vs outsource.
The outsource option I refer to is that there are companies out there that can host a 'online shopping cart' and provide CC authorization.
The next option is buy--there are plenty of both free and commercial software to create online e-commerce systems but they often do not include the secure certificate nor credit card processing.
Lastly, you have build.
Once you have your pages togther, you'll need to get a signed certificate from verisign. You'll also need to find way to accept CC's online, which usually means having a merchant acct and and more hardware (dedicated phone line) to a CC processing system.
If you want to keep it simple, just get the certificate, configure a https server on port 443 and apply the cert to it and when people need to enter CC info and such, point them to that new httpd server
Next
the solution that I provide for small business is:
set up a database-driven site/cart. buy a secure cert for your entire domain, or use a general one that your hosting service provides. Then when someone use cc to purchase anything, it gets saved into the database. you can log in daily or periodically to retrieve the cc info and run it yourself. It takes less setting up and you won't have to contract a online payment processing service/gateway. It would be like any mailorder you get the cc over the phone, only you can getting it from the web. The site/store and the admin section where you retrieve the info can both be under the secure site, and can be password protected as well.
paypal shopping cart... The quickest and easiest means...
Everything else IS expensive and gets difficult. Believe me, I've been there.....
MCSE - must consult someone else ;D :o
Quotepaypal shopping cart... The quickest and easiest means...
Everything else IS expensive and gets difficult. Believe me, I've been there.....
MCSE - must consult someone else ;D :o
paypal charges too much. and customization is not real great. why you say everything else is expensive and difficult? Expensive is relative to what you get, and difficult? well degree of difficulty kind of translate to whether you want a unique site or one that look like 1000's of others.
paypal charges too much? 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction isn't too bad at all. Lets see, I pay 2.39% + 30 cents for a credit card transaction through the processing company I deal with, and have monthly minimums, etc. All CC processing places charge you a monthly fee. Some ARE as low at 10 bucks/Mo, and have rates around 2%. But, even at a .9% difference in rate, paypal is the same cost until you get above about 1500/month in sales.
I think it's an awesome way to set up an easy, inexpensive online store.
Quotepaypal charges too much. and customization is not real great. why you say everything else is expensive and difficult? Expensive is relative to what you get, and difficult? well degree of difficulty kind of translate to whether you want a unique site or one that look like 1000's of others.
Are you high? Find me some place that will charge you LESS than paypal to process transactions! I encountered ONE situation which I was able to get a smoking deal that was less than paypal, but it did not have an online interface, so I needed a secure database for transactions.
The question is by someone who admittedly does not have a lot of web development experience. Thus, I provided the simplest, most cost effective solution I knew. I know there are many other solutions available, but I do not beleive you will find one easier AND cheaper...
I agreee.. Paypal is too much if you are planning on selling alot.
If it's onesies and twosies, then paypal is OK but if you're selling stuff on a continuous basis/regularily, get some free software like OScommerce, get your secure cert, and use a process co like Wolrdpay, or the like to do transactions.
Right... if you don't wanna program a lot of sh1t, they Paypal is the way. Easy and quick. If you want to make a catalog and have users create profiles, and get the whole experience, then go with OScommerce and someone from this list... http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Business_to_Business/Financial_Services/Transaction_Clearing/Credit_Card_Merchant_Services/
Quotepaypal shopping cart... The quickest and easiest means...
Everything else IS expensive and gets difficult. Believe me, I've been there.....
MCSE - must consult someone else ;D :o
;D :D ;D must consult someone else lmao
I checked into the paypal thing and it was way too expensive - 2.9%? ouch
Thanks for the advice, y'all. I'm printing it out and reviewing it right now.
okay, let's define a lot...
If you're doing more than $1500-2000/mo, or more than 50 transactions, and you're confident that your monthly rate will remain at or above this amount, then, yes, find something other than paypal...
However, if you want it up by this afternoon, I still stand by paypal 8)
Quoteokay, let's define a lot...
If you're doing more than $1500-2000/mo, or more than 50 transactions, and you're confident that your monthly rate will remain at or above this amount, then, yes, find something other than paypal...
However, if you want it up by this afternoon, I still stand by paypal 8)
Yes, agreed
QuoteI checked into the paypal thing and it was way too expensive - 2.9%? ouch
LOL... let us know what you come up with... ~3% for CC processing TO INCLUDE American Express, is a reasonable deal.
SO... BTW.. what ARE you gonna be selling? What's this for?
LOL... Sorry, i don't mean to get wrapped up here, and Mike, don't take this as a jab, but OSCommerce is about the LAST thing I'd recommend to a 'newbie'.
There's 0 documentation on it and for me, it was extremely cumbersome to setup and customize.
you can go to www.sourceforge.com and search for 'cart' or shopping cart, etc.. phpay is pretty easy, and there are many freebies out there that are decent. But again, even with these, you're getting what you pay for.....
Quoteokay, let's define a lot...
If you're doing more than $1500-2000/mo, or more than 50 transactions, and you're confident that your monthly rate will remain at or above this amount, then, yes, find something other than paypal...
However, if you want it up by this afternoon, I still stand by paypal 8)
and if you want a site with an identity, I would suggest elsewhere...
besides, you can use paypal to check out only...
and most small shops may have cc processing in house anyway, using it is not extra cost. And non-internet transactions cost a bit less anyhow...
wait sorry, you are talking about DIY stuff, then I am out of my league... I am just the guy who builds everything custom... sorry :D
QuoteLOL... Sorry, i don't mean to get wrapped up here, and Mike, don't take this as a jab, but OSCommerce is about the LAST thing I'd recommend to a 'newbie'.
There's 0 documentation on it and for me, it was extremely cumbersome to setup and customize.
you can go to www.sourceforge.com and search for 'cart' or shopping cart, etc.. phpay is pretty easy, and there are many freebies out there that are decent. But again, even with these, you're getting what you pay for.....
Well yea, right I don't disagree there. I haven't looked into much of the various shopping carts besides xcart and OScommerce, and looking back on the thread and being that he said he "knows basic html" and "not a big programmer".. going on that alone, I'd suggest Paypal.
She'll be selling construction attachments direct to consumers. www.loweman.com is the site I made for the manufacturing company (be nice on criticism) ;)
These units sell upwards of $5,000-$6,000 so 2.9% is $150 we would rather not spend.
I like the database driven site idea. I actually have training material on php (but have yet to learn it). So how about a site that places the order in a secure database that we can download the orders from? She also wants the customer to receive an e-mail verifying their order - automatically is preferred so they aren't waiting hours to know if it went through.
Do I buy the code and database (MySql?) from a company or lone programmer?
ok with the details, it would probably better if you run a db to collect order info, and have your clients to send you a check instead. That way you save the $100+ of processing fees.
I would suggest you get the code developed in a way that you can go and add/update/edit info and the system will run itself.
I would say that kind of code is pretty unique because you need the site to fit your requirements, rather trying to fit what you sell to the code. And since you are getting it custom made, you can have it look real nice too, not just the standard shopping cart ...
well this may sound like a sales pitch, but you can contact me via email if that sound like something you are interested in. As far as web stuff go, that is what I offer. Custom web apps build to your specifications. If you have a spec doc I can turn it exactly the way you want. Email me, see if I can help you with it.
QuoteThese units sell upwards of $5,000-$6,000 so 2.9% is $150 we would rather not spend.
This is the cost of providing the 'convenience' of credit cards... You do not get this for free. Anywhere...
As a consumer, spending money with a credit card, you are paying just a tiny bit extra because every place that accepts credit cards, inflates prices marginally to eat the cost. However, in most states it is illegal to outright charge extra for accepting credit, so it has to be across the board.
i.e., bump the price from $100 to $103 for cash OR credit. You can't charge $103 for credit and $100 for cash.
This you should check with your state board of commerce on, as well as your clearing house for credit cards. Some clearing houses don't allow it regardless of state regulations.
QuoteI like the database driven site idea. I actually have training material on php (but have yet to learn it). So how about a site that places the order in a secure database that we can download the orders from? She also wants the customer to receive an e-mail verifying their order - automatically is preferred so they aren't waiting hours to know if it went through.
Do I buy the code and database (MySql?) from a company or lone programmer?
MySQL is free. However, what you're talking about is custom desigining an E-commerce system. Dude, don't re-invent the wheel... It will take you much longer than you will want to spend, and it will do a fraction of what you want.
Also, for your consideration... Holding CC info in a "secure" database is a HUGE liability. The database can be hacked. Multi-billion dollar companies get hacked, so, believe me, they can get at you. If someone DID get the info out of your DB, YOU are liable to an extent to your customers, and can lose everything and/or spend some time next to Martha Stewart.
Yahoo offers some small business services like such, but again, it's going to cost.
Bottom line, what you want is not free. Period... You may be able to whip up an application for free, but the processing of the card is absolutely not free... no way, no how...
Again, I don't mean to get 'passionate' about this, just want to share my experience over the last number of years, trying *exactly* what you are looking at...
So... Where to start??? Well, assuming you have a business, you must have a business bank account... Talk to your bank and ask them what kind of merchant services they offer, and if they have a web interface. This could make your life much easier than trying to get something else setup.
If they do, but it's too expensive, shop around. If they don't, you need to find a new bank :)
We are checking with her bank on what they offer on credit cards. They actually have free CC transactions, but we have to check the details. We'll also check to see what other transaction services they might have.
As far as the charge for CC transactions - it is illegal to charge more, but you can give a 'cash discount.' lol I checked that out when my mechanic offered it to me.
Going with the check vs. CC thing... do people currently pay with CC or are you guessing that they would? B/c if they don't or if it hasn't been requested that you offer this service.. paying by check can make your life a WHOLE lot easier.
They currently pay with CCs. Checks would be nice, but the wait for verification might set back their order a week or longer.
well jeff maybe you haven't met someone who can help you get it done.
I do resent the don't re-invent the wheel comment. I do not like out-of-the-box products because they rarely fit everyone's every need. and a nicely written custom app go a longer way than any out-of-the-box program. Thats why bigger companies all have custom apps.
You could say custom app's cost too much. Well I have spent the last 3 years developing small apps for small businesses, in and out of this industry. my clients are happy, and they rather spend more with my services because everything is made to their needs, and sometimes not much more if at all than what it would cost to run a program/scripts that does not fit all their needs. Think of the cost after implementation for running a business that doesnt suit you 100%.
you seem to have gathered a lot of frustration trying to set up something by yourself, yet you recommend others to go with a template based app. wouldn't they run into the same frustration you ran into? If you you can't find a readily made application/set up to suit your needs, why would you recommend it to someone else?
I am not dissing anyone's ability, but doing it yourself doesn't always get it done right. we are motorcycle racers, we should know this. A suspension kit doesn't fit everyone. It is the custom stacks and custom settings that works for each racer.
so getting something made for you business is not re-invent the wheel, it is just putting on the right size and type of wheel.
and since I know I have to compete with $200 programs and services, don't you think I would price myself competitively as much as I would? A big corp may pay me $100/hr, but I have worked with everyone's budget who has ever interested in my services.
well, with checks there are no charge backs, no fees, no disputes, and virtually no frauds.
if you can build the cc fee into your profit margin, then use that. with that kind of price range you can even do net 30 with a credit card hold or something of the sort.
If you would like more info build into the site to go with your products (more than pics and descriptions) then you need a custom app. A structure is set up and you can add the material yourself.
In the end you can still use whatever payment method you would like to use, but a robust site can cut down on live custom service as you probably can imagine. If documentation, product detail and many simple support can be done online, then there is no need to staff people just to answer phones.
Quotewell jeff maybe you haven't met someone who can help you get it done.
That's pretty much the case.
QuoteI do resent the don't re-invent the wheel comment. I do not like out-of-the-box products because they rarely fit everyone's every need. and a nicely written custom app go a longer way than any out-of-the-box program. Thats why bigger companies all have custom apps.
My comment was based on an educated guess that he wanted to do it himself. Developing an e-commerce system if you have very little development knowledge is near impossible and leads to frustration.
Hell, writing requirements for one is difficult enough! :)
Yes, most any company will go with a home-grown product to fit their needs, but there's a substantial budget involved in this.
Quoteyou seem to have gathered a lot of frustration trying to set up something by yourself, yet you recommend others to go with a template based app. wouldn't they run into the same frustration you ran into? If you you can't find a readily made application/set up to suit your needs, why would you recommend it to someone else?
Yes - Frustration in trying to do it for free
Template based apps can be cheap and VERY effective. I just never found one that fit my needs in my price range. I ended up settling, which works fine, but I'd still love to land the 'correct' package.
For basic selling, a template based app is perfect. For anything dynamic, it's not very feasible. It's possible to use, but is extremely time consuming.
QuoteI am not dissing anyone's ability, but doing it yourself doesn't always get it done right. we are motorcycle racers, we should know this. A suspension kit doesn't fit everyone. It is the custom stacks and custom settings that works for each racer.
Not really true. 99% of it is common, and will work across the range. I.e., an R6 setup will be for the most part common. It will vary based on weight, etc, but the common mods will be the same.
The same is true in this application. Most every type of e-commerce solution you can think of is available already, so why re-invent it? Yes, I understand that you can make it EXACTLY the way you want it, but you're doing that at a pretty steep price usually.
In my particular case, what I need IS available. However, the cost makes it unjustifiable for me to implement.
Quoteso getting something made for you business is not re-invent the wheel, it is just putting on the right size and type of wheel.
But since the wheels are already commonly available, why would I want to pay some one to "build" me one? I'll just go out and grab the wheel that fits my bike and go!
Quoteand since I know I have to compete with $200 programs and services, don't you think I would price myself competitively as much as I would? A big corp may pay me $100/hr, but I have worked with everyone's budget who has ever interested in my services.
Yes, you would have to price yourself so that people will purchase your services. Again, my recommendations are based on the comments from a person who did not appear to want to spend any money.
So, working within the budget of a guy who doesn't want to spend anything, you're left with making recommendations, not developing a new system...
Now that that's all done, if I can dig up my original requirements on my e-commerce system, I'll shoot them over to you 8)
(that is, if you'll still talk to me...)
no problem jeff, I was up from no sleep and you called me high... boy I wish I was high!!! I am just exhausted :D
ya sent me the requirements. I rather have good clients than make truckful of money, thats why I deal with clients personally. I can usually work within a budget, no matter how small it is. I don't want to give my services away, but I can always find a solutions for anyone....
so if you want to send them over, and we talk about it, maybe I can make it work for you ;)
I still have to see what the budget is. She may be able to spend enough to have the right site. I feel that she thinks she can save a ton if she has me do it. I try to tell her that I shouldn't be the one doing it. She feels that I can research it, learn it, and do it. I could make a crap site where people could call and order the items on the site, but that isn't what she wants.
I re-did www.loweman.com for a ton cheaper than the origanal 'programmer.' It is basic and is not dynamic. Now they think I can do a dynamic site that emulates dell.com or some multimillion dollar business.
I think if I have enough info to 'teach' her what she needs, she will have a better understanding of what I can do myself and what needs to be outsourced to someone with the knowledge.
So there are funds to be used, if the justification is there.
BTW what ever happened to that R6Philly message board I used to visit a couple years ago? Is it still up?
y'all should give some advice to my fiberglass supplier www.fiberglasssupply.com :-/ ;) :)
I've always thought they could do so much more with that site. I guess they have grown immensly since they put their site up. I can't beat their prices, but could use a more informative site.
well the board was bombed and trolled by a well known internet entreprenuer in the aftermarket parts business. So people couldn't take the abuse and left. They formed the R6 messagenet. I opened up another site since then, but couldn't keep up the effort o keep it going. so I shut that down. It may be coming back again lol it was my original motorcycle project and I would like to keep it going. I will spend a weekend on the R6 site and bring it back to current life. I have 1000's owner pics on my computer. Even though the site is defunt right now, people still write me and send me stuff. I feel obligated to get them up. Look for them in a few weeks ;)
as for convince the boss. Thats usually the hard part. You have to convince them that the technology and knowledge involved is absolutely out of your range. I wouldn't think you want to take on that anyway, thats just more headache and work on your part...
Quotey'all should give some advice to my fiberglass supplier www.fiberglasssupply.com :-/ ;) :)
I've always thought they could do so much more with that site. I guess they have grown immensly since they put their site up. I can't beat their prices, but could use a more informative site.
advice? the site look like a word document or made in 1994. Add some graphics and change the font, then re-organize it a little and the company will look like 10 time as big. and it wouldn't event cost $1500 at the most to revamp it (without editing and updating info, just change how it looks and re-org and break down the sections, restructure)
Basic table borders and Comic Sans ;D
Maybe someone could do a trade for some carbon fiber or kevlar.... I always thought about it, but I'm not confident enough in my skills - MCSE remember :D
what carbon fiber and kevlar are we talking about?
http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/Product_Catalog/Reinforcements/reinforcements.html
It's where I get all my carbon and kevlar cloth and epoxy for bodywork
My current project requires about a $400 order from them. I'm enclosing my little trailer with a fiberglass/foam sandwich core design. We'll see how it works. I might be putting kevlar on the front for debris protection.
I wouldn't mind some carbon cloth... I am doing a couple or projects myself, usually bodywork related :D
There prices are about half of anywhere else I've seen. The 5.8 oz 2x2 twill is the 'carbon look' although I've seen a lot of carbon work done with the straight basket (plain) weave. I ordered some 11oz for a hood bracket and that stuff is beefy. I'd stay with the 5.8 oz and do a couple layers.
The hybrids (carbon/kevlar) are neat too. I'm sure you've seen it in some parts. They have the flexability and resistance of kevlar and the strength and lightweight of carbon - plus a cool look - yellow, red, blue, or silver kevlar with black carbon.
Maybe this should be a new thread - I'm sure there would be other racers interested in this stuff. I kind of kept it a secret before ;)
well make me a set of wheels or a frame!!! subframe?!!!
sure I can trade for some that stuff ;)
I would never ride on wheels I made ;) :D
I thought about making a subframe. I made a whole tail/seat section, but never finished it. I haven't had a garage to work in for over a year. I'm getting one this week, though. It'll take a bit to set it up, though.
Those prices are pretty damn good. I think the company I work for pays about $18/yard for their carbon twill 5.8 oz weight, but our width is either 39 or 50 inches, I don't remember. Either way, those prices are right on track for their 24" width.