Recommendation for complete DIY eCommerce site solution?

[jeffbrown9]

Hello,

I know that website stuff has been discussed here and there on this forum, however I was hoping we could start a discussion about complete do it yourself (DIY) eCommerce solutions for NEWBIES!!! I'm not all that tech savy, and would like a nice looking site (not cookie cutter), the potential for an online catalog of products, and easily be able to have the orders directed to a fulfillment center of my choice - ALL FOR NOT A LOT OF $$$! In other words, a solution that takes me out of the loop!

I've used Yahoo small business and it is OK, Microsoft Live is free but a little too cookie cutter for me - I just thought that by now there would be a much better option for us? Any suggestions?

Thanks - Jeff

[dsharpe]

Jeff, Hostgator, (and other hosting providers, I'm sure) has several high-powered ecommerce scripts available with their hosting packages (starts at $4.95/mo, and is quite reliable.)

They use the Fantastico interface, so installation is very easy--click a couple of buttons, then start customizing and entering products.

I believe that it's fairly easy to customize the look-and-feel of these solutions, and they all work w/paypal and other payment systems.

I'm a firm believer in starting small to prove market demand, then upgrading if needed. I can't tell you how many companies I've seen and heard of paying $10,000 or more for a website--and they end up with something that can't even pay for it's own development costs.

Dave