eCommerce advice needed

[Mike Teezie]

I'm 21 and am trying to start my own company. It's a T shirt company - not that that has anything to do with it. I am pretty web-ignorant as far as the technical side of sites, and I need some advice.

Ok, I purchased the domain names, so now I guess I have to buy the server space right? Doesn't it have to be on a secure server?

My main concern is having a website where people can place orders and pay with a credit card.

SO I guess I need to go and open a bank account under my company's name?

Man, this is all so overwhelming and over my head.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!

[rendezvouscp]

Ok, I am just guessing, so you'll want to look into everything that I say.

I don't know about a secure server, but you could buy space from an online company or, if you have a static IP address, serve it off of your G5. It depends on how many hits you are expecting, and what kind of connection you have.

As for a bank account, you'll need some sort of small business license, but you can talk to your bank about that. They will have everything you need (at least, that was the case with WAMU when my parents began a non-profit recently).

Good luck in your business venture!
–Chase

[wwworry]

There are lots of companies that do ecommerce web hosting. Basically they have templates for your site and form based data entry so it is all pretty easy and non-technical. To decide on a package, check out all the charges and use the demos to see how to upload products etc.

Try Google (http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=ecommerce%20web%20hosting)

If you want to run your own ecommerce software, there are lots of options there too, like OSCommerce, that are free.

[jeremy.king]

Start small. Get a web hosting plan that offers eCommerce capabilities. Everyone will recommend their favorite, so I will start with Fat Cow (http://www.fatcow.com). Scale your hosting with the amount of business you generate. No need to setup your own webserver, etc, if you aren't getting the volume to support that decision. If you find that <insert web host here> cannot support your transaction volume, then go to a co-located or managed architecture, and when that time arrives you should have the cash flow to afford it.

Also, have you decided to incorporate? Its not a bad idea, tax wise.

[davecuse]

Everyone will recommend their favorite, so I will start with Fat Cow (http://www.fatcow.com).
HostRocket (http://hostrocket.com) happens to be my favorite, I've used them for a few years now (3-4) and have never once had a problem. They use CPanel for administration of your site, which is the best, easiest front end to any webserver that I've ever seen. Also have a built in eCommerce suite. It's all there and all very simple to use. I've set up a couple of my friends with them and they've all been very happy with it as well.

[Fritz]

Mike,
I happen to help folks do just what you are asking. I usually don't post my site but if you like I will help you out.
My site allows you to build a site and enable ecommerce. Lots of back end tools to manage your site, customers, and even your calendar.
Check it out

www.itroveinc.com
if you want to contact me..
feel free at rschultz@itroveinc.com

Good luck.

[zimv20]

there are many e-commerce tools. the one with which i'm most familiar is called Miva. it's a breeze to set up and get going, you can plug in shipping modules and payment modules.

it's fully programmer-extendable, but you'll have to learn a cheesy scripting language to do it.

the folks over at hostasaurus.com do an awesome job of hosting miva. they're friendly and super-responsive.