Griffon — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 18:10:42 +0000

Thanks, Andy.

... as for outsourcing to India or wherever I keep getting e-mails from people over there offering such expertise. Trouble is without recommendations it might be risky. Funny isn't it but although it's called the WWW most people I know in the business still like to deal with people locally

andy206uk — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:46:31 +0000

Well... if you ever need to outsource development work, drop an email and I'll be more than happy to talk numbers with you.

Of course, there are companies in developing countries where you can outsource development work and they will charge you significantly less than here in the UK or USA increasing your profit margin significantly. They have their problems too, but like you said, it's all down to how it balances out.

Griffon — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 07:37:09 +0000

Hello Andy - I hear your coughs (!) - in fact I have considered whether or not I should be getting into serious programming like this at all when my skills and knowledge lie elsewhere. It all depends on the going rate per hour or day for this type of work and how subcontracting this work out balances against my time taken to get into this field.

andy206uk — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 23:41:37 +0000

Hey there,

You'll be lucky to get an off the shelf product that does everything they need exactly as they want it. You would need to learn to write your own scripts or outsource it to a freelance developer. (*cough* me! *cough*)

Griffon — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:30:06 +0000

James;212402 wrote: It depends very much on your site and type of product, have you tried looking at OSCommerce and Zencart, if so what is it about those scripts which don't suit your needs? They would be the easiest. If you are talking about CC processors merchant etc look at WorldPay or 2CheckOut.

Yes, I realise I asked a rather general question. OK a more specific example. I recently had an enquiry from a client who runs an up market, ready meals business. They wanted a site where customers could order online that morning to pick up or have delivered food for lunch. I had to turn them away because I don't have the skills to put a site like that together.

Amongst other things a site like that would: 1. enable customers to register (if they wish). 2. store their details so they don't have to input their CC details every time they order. 3. maintain a database of customer preferences 4. allow ordering from a check box php form .... etc.

So would either of the packages you recommend do that?

James — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:40:24 +0000

It depends very much on your site and type of product, have you tried looking at OSCommerce and Zencart, if so what is it about those scripts which don't suit your needs? They would be the easiest. If you are talking about CC processors merchant etc look at WorldPay or 2CheckOut.