online shop

[phoenixalpha]

I see many people on DSF have online stores, but are they *really* worthwhile? It seems (from what I have read on here) like a lot of hassle to set up, maintain and keep going. What is the average cost of an online store?

[JSR]

What is the average cost of an online store?

I don't think you'll find an "average cost". The cost of any online presence is inversely-proportional to the knowledge you have about website creation. If you know nothing, you'll want a complete package which will cost something. If you know everything, you'll be able to do it yourself and it'll cost nothing. Somewhere in between is everyone else.

For me, in terms of financial cost, my online store costs a whole £0. But I do have to solve any issues that come up myself, as indicated in the previous post. If I'd paid for a recommended host to run OpenCart for me, the issue wouldn't have arisen so I'd have saved myself time and stress by paying for that privilege.

So, an "average cost" isn't something that can be calculated.

[phoenixalpha]

Well by "average cost" I was figuring what % would open cart (or the paying agent) take for online payments added to the hosting costs. Domain registration is almost immaterial these days but if you charged £7 for a mug, what % would end up with the agency that takes the payment and if hosting was £10pm (for example) that would be £10pm plus 9% (for example) for online payments.

[smitch6]

thats brill JSR well done
as i have a few open cart shops on my server now if ever i hit a problem like that i'll give you a shout lol

Phoenix
lots of shop software is free
you can pay for it tho if you require
i did and then thankfully managed to sell it on and now use a free software with more features and better support

you'll need web hosting obviously which is usually around £5 cpm MAX
if your paying anymore than that for just ur shop your getting ripped off

by all means give me a shout and i can help with hosting and on-line shops if needed

[JSR]

Well by "average cost" I was figuring what % would open cart (or the paying agent) take for online payments added to the hosting costs. Domain registration is almost immaterial these days but if you charged £7 for a mug, what % would end up with the agency that takes the payment and if hosting was £10pm (for example) that would be £10pm plus 9% (for example) for online payments.

How much the payment processor takes depends on which payment processor you use. The cart software you use has nothing to do with the payment processor, except that you can only use the payment processors which the cart software supports (or has a module for). If it doesn't support the payment processor you want to use, then you find a cart that does.

Hosting, software, and payment processing are three separate entities unless you buy a "complete package", in which case you would want to read the smallprint because they may also handle payment processing for you.

[spottraining]

I am selling only online. I am using PrestaShop and Attribute Wizard Pro special plugin. It gives lot of good possibilities what doesn't has PrestaShop by default.

[Quizzer]

Same here, using PrestaShop and Attribute Wizard Pro module. I pay £6 per month for my hosting (including static IP address)

If your comfortable with computers and have the time, you can setup a professional looking site for very little money.