Intergrate website with Shopping Cart?

llegent · 06-12-06, 11:55 AM

Ok, I am not really sure and clear about this. What I am trying to understand is that whether Shopping Cart can be integrated just into my existing website? Or I need to create another site to run the shooping cart with a link from my existing site? or else?

L have been looking at many merchant account providers or companies, they seem requireme to host with them or with their affiliates. Or is that I were missing some points to note?

So, I am wondering is if I could just create an eCommerce store, then have its shopping cart/merchant account functionality intergrate and hosted as part of my existing website under my current hosting plan?

Sorry if I didn't phrase it correctly coz I don't quite understand the whole process of this. Thanks.

**Baby Boy** · 06-12-06, 02:13 PM

Figured I'd help you in this field:

1. Yes, you can integrate your design/template into an eCommerce store if you have knowledge of whatever language the script is written in. In example, a template can be integrated into osCommerce.

2. Now, about merchant accounts, all a merchant account is is a simple business bank account with a payment gateway with some of them. Take for example, Merchant Warehouse (http://www.merchantwarehouse.com) --- you can get an account with them and use any of the payment gateways they offer... VeriSign, Authorize.Net, LinkPoint, etc. I recommend my opinion to Authorize.Net --- very good payment gateway.

3. Now, with your eCommerce store, you have to find out WHICH payment modules it has to offer. Let's once more use osCommerce for an example. For you to accept credit cards, you'd have to setup the Authorize.Net (upon if you CHOSE Authorize.Net as your payment gateway) and input your transaction ID and password I believe, for Authorize.Net --- your now set to go to accept credit cards.

If you want to know anything else, just post and ask, I'll help you out (literally, integrate and all that) if you want, not free but not expensive either

mxer210 · 06-12-06, 08:14 PM

To integrate a store into your exisitng site, use Mals Ecommerce: http://www.mals-e.com/

It's simple, its easy to use, supports tons of merchant accounts, its cheap, and you'll love it.

Melos · 06-13-06, 07:51 AM

I run 2 ecom sites (still in the works quite frankly) and have never been able to figure out how to integrate the scripts into my site on things like osCommerce. Learning this is on my list of things to do, but I opted for a package deal that does it for you. (WAHMShoppe.com)

Most hosting accounts that I see out there have ecommerce scripts included - and many have those automatic installation things too.

Slashmire · 06-17-06, 01:15 AM

Hmm, that's nice to know BabyBoy, I actually never thought about simple shopping carts that way.

**Baby Boy** · 06-20-06, 03:19 PM

Yeah, it can be quite simple, and seeing that osCommerce has some good additional features that can be added to it, its a good option.

My theory is, if you want to save money, use osCommerce, install the contributions you want your store to offer and to keep your code safe, encrypt it with something like ionCube or Zend. Also, keep a UNCODED version as well, in case you want to have custom coding or have an exisiting contribution built upon. Then just save the files UNCODED and CODE them... overwrite with the new modification CODED files.

If you get my drift, you should be alright... many people think using osCommerce is a stupid thing to do... use base code and build upon.

llegent · 06-21-06, 10:20 AM

emm...reading thru your guides and advise, I tried osCommerce this whole day. But no luck in it...I was lost in the configuration parts..and I don't even know which part that I was actually stuck !! Yup I know it should be easy, but just no luck...

Melos mentioned that there are hosts that have these type of scritips included and with automatic installation too. So, what are those features that I should look for? Maybe my host got it!

Thanks again.

**Baby Boy** · 06-21-06, 02:11 PM

Well, if you want just the basic installation, I can do that for free. But I'd advise you to look under Fantastico if your host has cPanel and install it through there. Shoot me an IM sometime on AIM if you want me to help: CBlockThug21, talk to you soon.