Thanks Pete, for your comments. I have done work on the net before. I would never get someone to registor my domain name nor would I buy one from a online shop providing. I would always buy one and just change the DNS setting myself.

But thanks for the advice. I am currently looking a CubeCart. Looks great. I can have affilate program and also I can have a points systems. "So points mean prizes" for my customers

But you are right about the "instant sites" There is alot of rescritions. but to start your own shop its ok. But "instant sites" limit so much. Plus it might not be that easy to leave.

Will keep you all informed of what I do.

From
Doug

There are a couple of ways you could open a shop. Theres the cheap way and the expensive way.

The cheap way is just to sign up for a web hosting account that has cPanel and Fantastico and just install one of the e-commerce applications such as Interchange, osCommerce, Zen Cart.

The expensive way is to contact a web designer and get someone to personally design you your own website and shop. This will be costly but the shop/design will unique to your company and will look much more professional.

Sorry, GreenFlag, can't go with that.

I'd say that with under $ 100, often under $ 50 in a logo or template change any of those Fantastico carts can look as "professional" as those costing thousnds.

In fact, as far as shopping cart design goes, the OSCommerce look is almost universal for most online retailers. And most of the large retailers all have basically that same look, as well. Header up top, menu down one or both sides and a footer with some links. I think it's what the buying public expects and anything far from that probably loses sales.

Crisp header, several popular items above the fold on the home page and then items in categories. That's pretty professional.

The trick is not in the site design, using any of the freebies with just a few touches will keep people on your site, it's getting them thete that takes the knowledge and skill to bring about. I don't think anyone will click away from those sites because they don't look professional.
.

__________________
Trusted, Dependable Dropshipper

A Number of TWF Members Host With Me, You Should Also! Find out why....

Okay they can look professional but they're not exactly unique IMO unless you pay someone to design and code something up for you. How many of oscommerce websites do you see..? Hundreds.

Except from the colours, how many sites like this do you see? Lots.

Off course its all about opinions and budgets etc but i'd much rather pay someone to knock something up that would be exclusive to myself. :niceone:

There are hundreds of free and low cost - under $100 skins and templates and there are plenty of designers who will give you totally custom work for $300 or less. (Personally, I don't know quite how custom they are, as the chances of any one person finding an identical design could be quite slim.)

But, overall, the chances of someone who has clicked your link in Google or wherever and is looking for what you are selling just leaving your site because it looks similar to others is pretty slim, also. Other than web site designers, who do judge a book by it's cover.

And the design can always be changed. Many here have agreed that the most important thing to do is get the shop up and open, then as you get some money do what you want with the design.
.

__________________
Trusted, Dependable Dropshipper

A Number of TWF Members Host With Me, You Should Also! Find out why....

I personally agree with pete, using a decent template with the various cart systems can produce a site as "unique" as most, but in reality it is not the look of the site which helps sales.

As mentioned it is getting the visitors, having the right copy and products, right prices and most of all a useable website, ie one that needs as few cliks as possble to the end of the sale.

I would guess 60-70% of sites lose sales since they are so user unfriendly, ideally 2-3 cliks maximum to select a product to cart, many on the web take 5-8 cliks.

I would rather have a basic site well set up and spend £500-£1000 on web seo and google ads than an individual site.

Thanks guys, for all your imput. Its nice to know that there are poeple out there that can help.

I am moving now more down the lines away from a "instant shop" will get someone to build one and then buy a template. But I agree that you need to make sure your shop has right price and copy written.

Will keep you all informed.

Thanks again

From
Doug