best way to implement e-commerce?

[sk3pt1c]

let me make it short and we can elaborate later on:

1. use a content management system with an e-commerce system built-in or as an extention and rely on the webhost company for security?
2. simplify things and use something like paypal to remove the need for security and/or complexity?
3.go full blown and create a full e-commerce thingy with credit cards and so on?

i'm kinda not feeling it now, so i don't know if this makes any sense, will elaborate later on.

the points to consider are how long it will take to make and maintain and the level of complexity...

start commenting so i can get a feel and narrow it down
thanks

 

[ChicoWeb]

OSCommerce and/or CRE-Loaded. Should be narrow enough for ya

 

[sk3pt1c]

anything that isn't free is out of the question, cause that'd increase the client's budget too much, but oscommerce looks interesting, am downloading it...
can you combine it with a CMS somehow or would i just link to the e-store and have that as a different sort of micro-site?
thanks by the way

 

[ChicoWeb]

anything that isn't free is out of the question, cause that'd increase the client's budget too much, but oscommerce looks interesting, am downloading it...
can you combine it with a CMS somehow or would i just link to the e-store and have that as a different sort of micro-site?
thanks by the way

I'm not sure about OSCommerce, but CRE loaded, which is free too, is OSCOmmerce on steroids and I know you can modify content with that.

 

[sk3pt1c]

i don't have enough time to check CRE right now, i just caught site of .exe somewhere... does that mean no mac compatibility?
that shouldn't be the case right, you'd just be interfacing with it through a browser?
wtf was that .exe i saw?
anyway, don't have time to check it now, thanks A LOT for the info dude!!!
(do you really have to donate to get CRE?)

 

[MacSociology]

You could check out Joomla.org and Virtuemart.com. Virtuemart is implementet into Joomla. Virtuemart.com uses this solution itself.

 

[NoOrdinary]

Have you checked on Shopify? It's not free, but offers reasonable plans with easy-to-custom system.

For me it's the best system if:
1. you're familiar with blog system/theme
2. love simple back-end interface
3. doesn't have too many types/variations of selling items

 

[tomoisyourgod]

I've played with Joomla / Virtuemart, but have settled with using osCommerce. Reasons for this is osCommerce does everything for online shop, just selling.

I'd only reccomend Joomla/Virtuemart if you have other features on the website.

My first osCommerce site I will be publishing online in the next couple of weeks.