Beakers Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 Hi community, This is my first post. I am asking for guidance and frankly don't know how to proceed. I will try to be brief and concise. I just downloaded OSCommerce v2.2 RC 2. I want to add an online store to my current website (we hand-raise and sell baby parrots). http://beakersparrotplace.com. Question - can a non technical person use OSCommerce to create an online store? OR do I need to hire someone? Does OSCommerce offer how to (procedural) instructions to help those of us who don't know what to do? My website is hosted with inmotionhosting.com. After helping me download OSCommerce, he said I could get how to support/ tutorials, etc., from the oscommerce site. I found the knowledge center, and is area appears to be topical. I also found the forums but what I am needing is more specific guidance. What do you suggest? Thanks! Newbie Elena
Guest Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 Hi Elena, Many people I know that running osCommerce online shop are non-technical. Don't worry. osCommerce online shop is very easy to run and learn, and fun too... If you wish to learn quick, the following website has over 120 free osCommerce video tutorials to help you to get started: www . osCommerce-template-Easy . com Have fun! Best regards
birdmantx Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 Hi community,This is my first post. I am asking for guidance and frankly don't know how to proceed. I will try to be brief and concise. I just downloaded OSCommerce v2.2 RC 2. I want to add an online store to my current website (we hand-raise and sell baby parrots). http://beakersparrotplace.com. Question - can a non technical person use OSCommerce to create an online store? OR do I need to hire someone? Does OSCommerce offer how to (procedural) instructions to help those of us who don't know what to do? My website is hosted with inmotionhosting.com. After helping me download OSCommerce, he said I could get how to support/ tutorials, etc., from the oscommerce site. I found the knowledge center, and is area appears to be topical. I also found the forums but what I am needing is more specific guidance. What do you suggest? Thanks! Newbie Elena I looked at your current site and it looks great. I would have 2 websites 1. your current site. 2. your online store usng oscommerce. Then add a link to the site you have now to visit your online store. In my opinon it would just make things easier. I also sell birds and toys ect. and I have 2 websites. With the video tutorials you should be able to build your own online store. Good luck! Flying away to get back to work.
satish Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 Unless You do not want to heavily modify Your shop its ok. So in case Your budget are tight You can launch Your site doing it Yourself taking help from forum. Once it starts picking up and You want to add extensions then probably You will need an expert. Satish Ask/Skype for Free osCommerce value addon/SEO suggestion tips for your site. Check My About US For who am I and what My company does.
♥geoffreywalton Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 There is loads of info around, be aware some is for earlier or later versions than the one you have. It does take a little effort/knowledge to get going but if you like a challenge and have the time it is relatively easy to do it yourself. Just take regular backups and google will give you the answer to most problems. I have put together a list of "Useful threads" and put the link in my signature block. Enjoy G Need help installing add ons/contributions, cleaning a hacked site or a bespoke development, check my profile Virus Threat Scanner My Contributions Basic install answers. Click here for Contributions / Add Ons. UK your site. Site Move. Basic design info. For links mentioned in old answers that are no longer here follow this link Useful Threads. If this post was useful, click the Like This button over there ======>>>>>.
Beakers Posted June 30, 2009 Author Posted June 30, 2009 Thanks everyone for your guidance so far... I am 'visual' so the flash tutorials will be outstanding. I do have one follow-on question or 2... Among all the great information out there, I wonder if this even exists - The question set is: is there a document somewhere (that you can point me to) that describes a preferred order or sequence someone should follow as they build out their online store from scratch using OSCommerce? What is the first action I should take? Lastly, since I am 'visual' is there a way to preview the site as I am building it out? And if so, how? Thanks a mil! Elena
Beakers Posted June 30, 2009 Author Posted June 30, 2009 It's me again.... I just found the TAS v2.0 automated template option. Does anyone have any concerns with my taking this route? It would eliminate the learning curve... Elena
birdmantx Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 Thanks everyone for your guidance so far... I am 'visual' so the flash tutorials will be outstanding. I do have one follow-on question or 2... Among all the great information out there, I wonder if this even exists - The question set is: is there a document somewhere (that you can point me to) that describes a preferred order or sequence someone should follow as they build out their online store from scratch using OSCommerce? What is the first action I should take? Lastly, since I am 'visual' is there a way to preview the site as I am building it out? And if so, how? Thanks a mil! Elena I suggest you buy the Oscommerce Beginners Edition written by David Mercer. The book along with the video tutorials, and Oscommerce knowledge base will get you started. I keep 2 windows open on my computer: 1. is my oscommerce admin, 2. my website. That way I can see the changes Ive made. Remember always back everything up, and If you want to change a file: always save the original just incase you mess anything up you can upload the original back. Being in the same business as you I know the time it takes to hand feed birds and do everything else required in the up keep. Building your own online store will take many hours of your time. I work on mine at night when most of the birdies are sleeping. Flying away to get back to work.
femalegreenuser Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 I just want to say how great it is that a beginner can ask a question like the OP and get so many helpful answers. Too many forums make us beginners feel like numpties. So thanks to all of you for being here :) Tina
tech12volts Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 I've been trying to figure this out too! Thanks everyone! Very helpful!
gates2u Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 Beakers, the reason you don't see anyone posting a sequence, is because everyone's needs are different. For example, for me - here was my sequence: * create basic store * Set basic Admin and store parameters - but don't labor over it * Set logo and primary store graphics * Add UPS CHOICE * Add Paypal Express * Add USA tax rates for MD (my state) and add tax rates for shipments to Canada * Add contribution "Discount by Payment Type" -- or something like that. I really wanted to promote a particular type of payment method and wanted to ensure those buyers got a discount if using that method * Discount Coupons (I do a lot of marketing and issue coupons alot) * the COD payment method (which I modified to be something different yet) * modified and added greatly to the customer e-mails * changed all sorts of text in the /includes/language files to reflect ordering instructions for custom goods * acceptance of terms and conditions "check box" * SSL site security seal in its own infobox Only now, am I adding products and attributes. It is critical to add the functionality for your business process before you go adding products. Exercise strong configuration management - meaning do ONE CHANGE AT A TIME - and always backup your files and database first. Good luck! Cheryl
♥14steve14 Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 When starting my store i had no experience in php, html or anything related to web design. My hosting had oscommerce and it was installed very quickly. After looking at other stores, and reading posts in this forum i made a start. I downloaded a free programme called topstyle lite, which made it easy to alter the colours and text in the stylesheet.I read somewhere that there are several very good contributions that will help with SEO. I installed them by just following the instructions, and any problems were quickly answered. Most of the mistakes made were my doing. I then spent ages adding products after installing a wysiwyg contribution. My site is still changing now, but it is listed on the major search engines, and products are being sold, so its doing what it should. REMEMBER BACKUP, BACKUP AND BACKUP
gates2u Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 I should add that my OSCommerce store is a migration from a longstanding store (since 2003) hosted at YAHOO STORES (Yahoo hosting with RTML programming). It has been a long slog to recreate the business features that I had already in the Yahoo feature-rich store environment. I've used everthing from RTML, Yahoo, ZenCart, GoDaddy Quickshopping to custom forms-based ordering systems, and I always do the business process stuff first. If you don't, you end up redoing the product stuff so many times, it is just a pain in the a**
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