posted on January 29, 2003 08:34:03 AM new
For what most web sites cost in terms of time invested, ISP charges and other expenses, you can pay a whole heck of a lot of eBay fees.
posted on January 29, 2003 08:42:04 AM new
I have to keep saying thanks for all of the great ideas!I am still looking! I am still reading and looking at all of the suggested sites. One thing for certain is that building a site and stocking it will be a LOT of work and I don't want to have to repeat it!I also believe that have to be comfortable with what I will have to work with from now on.
I have Front Page2000.It does the HTML thing.I looked on zdnet.com and there is a downloadable ecommerce add-on for free.Any opinions of building a site this way? I need that WYSIWYG that someone mentioned.
I looked at Homestead again. In the fine print is an additional $20 a month for an ecommerce package.
I like OS--Opebn Source as an idea. It is just the kind of spirit that appeals to me. Unfortunately in about 5 years _-I may understand techie stuff enough to think about it!LOL!
Kiara--"a bit overwhelming"--I feel like I am standing in the middle of a busy intersection with all of my clothes, furniture and pets stacked up around me and can't seem to figure out what to do with it all because I can't seem to find a home or even know what one looks like!
sun818--selling online is something I believe in. eBay is one jumping off place. --You are right--like many I am on a budget and a website is an investment that I believe will pay off. It is killing me because I can design a way the site should look, flow, wording, put things on the home page to keep people interested and returning and I can even manually submit meta tags to search engines. I can't seem to find a way to lay down a foundation for this website.
posted on January 29, 2003 09:17:14 AM new
Yes, the costs of setting up a good web site can pay a lot of ebay fees. But ebay fees are something you will be paying forever, unless you take steps to free yourself from a "partner" who can:
-raise fees at any time
-change the rules arbitrarilly
-shut down your auctions arbitrarilly
-allow known deadbeats to continue bidding
-allow known deadbeats to give you undeserved negs
since they get your listing fees anyway
-prohibit you from adding bonuses or giving free shipping unless you follow their specific rules
-prohibit you from linking to your web page in your listing but allow your competitors to put their banner ads on the listing YOU paid for
A good web site increases business exponentially. One person will visit and tell a friend. The next month they will each tell a friend. So you get 2, 4, 8, 16 etc. My web site costs me about $10 a month. I would be paying ebay about $100 a month in listing fees for the business it brings in.
Yes, I spent a lot of time setting it up at first. But it was a learning experience and I am now making money doing the same for others. I don't believe in using someone else's package or carts that you rent on other people's sites. You end up having to give up control and having your customers taken elsewhere from where they may never return.
Incidentally, it doesn't make a difference whether you sell 1 item or 1 million. If the site is created properly, there is one database where anyone (no programming skills needed) can enter the basic information of item, description, price, name of the image file, shipping and the site will automatically add it to the list and create a page on-the-fly to display that item.
In a nutshell, a site consists of:
- a header (created once and displayed on every page
- a footer
- a menu of link along the side
- a database of items and related info
- images of the items
- the pages you need:
-- home page
-- sales terms
-- privacy policy
-- catalog of items
-- shopping cart / order form
This is the basic site. You can do it yourself using many templates already available for free or you can hire someone to do it and it should cost no more than $1,000 for something complex and probably more like $300 for something basic. Remember that unlike ebay, this is a one-time expense.
But I happen to believe that a site owner should take the time to learn as much as possible so that they don't have to pay someone to make changes they could have made themselves.
posted on January 29, 2003 11:21:08 AM newI don't believe in using someone else's package or carts that you rent on other people's sites.
Is that why your site looks amateurish? Personally, I wouldn't buy anything from your store. If you are learning to a "webmaster" for the experience, great! But you have to ask yourself if you want to be maintaining web pages all day long, or do you want to be an online merchant?
posted on January 29, 2003 12:06:05 PM new
I have to agree that Miva is a good choice for a start. However, to get Miva for free, you'll most likely have to sign up for a larger hosting package around $40 a month. I use Miva, as it can handle the quantity of items I sell,quite easily. As mentioned, there are ways to get indexed by google with Miva. There is a module known as SEK that will do this for you. Yes starting the site does take a little bit of time, however, not much more time than creating a bunch of auctions. There are also some good affiliate programs out there for you to earn additional money from your site to help pay for any fees that you might incur. I set up an allposters.com affiliate shop on my site and just that one program alone, generates enough income to cover my hosting fees. You can find similar programs available at cj.com that might be better suited to your particular product/products you may be selling.
posted on January 29, 2003 12:27:44 PM new
Thanks for the informative post, yisgood. You summed things up nicely.
sun818, if you saw my site you would trash it also. I used a basic "site builder" style because I was clueless and this is my third year with it now. Someday I will do something better.
Remember, the people asking for help have never had a website. I suggest that they do up an easy one, somewhere with a free site builder to start with or a 30 day trial. That way they can learn the basics. Unless you have lots of money to pay someone to do it for you, you will have to start somewhere.
My site is not the best, but I do get sales and I have almost 1000 different items on it now. And remember this, when you get a good sale and an e-mail saying that they loved your site (no matter how amateurish it may look to others) to you it will suddenly feel like the best site in the world!
posted on January 29, 2003 12:34:07 PM newif you saw my site you would trash it also
Probably My web site is mostly static pages, so its not any better. Its one thing to give advice. But to list your web site in the same post is shameless self promotion and in bad taste IMO.
you'll most likely have to sign up for a larger hosting package around $40 a month
As I said earlier, Miva can be had for $10 a month as well (granted, without all the advanced options).
labelle, may I ask what type of items you sell? Are they unique items or mass merchandise? An issue you may run across with building a store is maintaining inventory. I think that becomes a bigger challenge with unique items since your web store needs to reflect your revolving stock.
[ edited by sun818 on Jan 29, 2003 12:39 PM ]
posted on January 29, 2003 01:06:46 PM new
Dadofstickboy
I use bcentral for webhosting. I have been with them for almost a year. No major problem.
I don't use their inventory forum as you can only list one item at a time. I prefer AW inventory, but all in all bcentral is very good for webhosting.
posted on January 29, 2003 01:15:53 PM newsun818, It is allowable to post a link to your website here and I don't think it's in bad taste. I wouldn't do it with mine because it is also one of my ebay ID's and if you are at all outspoken here and happen to cross paths with someone who makes it their life's work to cause grief to others it isn't worth it.
Your signature line may contain a link to your personal web page, your email address, your auction user id, a non-profit organization, an email list, or a website not in competition with AuctionWatch (as determined by AuctionWatch.)
posted on January 29, 2003 02:32:24 PM new
Hi - many thanks for such a good thread
I'm going to build my own site also - and try to work through the challenges...I like the idea of Google's froogle...
As I'll stumble often, great confidence...I'm grateful for those who offer their experience and positive insights
thanks
posted on January 29, 2003 04:33:38 PM new
yisgood
Good points! Running and building ones own website is a lot of work, but it is worth it in the end. To those folks who have never done this I would advice to start small on a cheap site and practice your layout.
The big thing is that you need to get your site into a search engine, otherwise its futile.
This endeaver is a constant learning curve.
posted on January 30, 2003 10:25:30 AM new
Agree with trai.....you need to have your site listed with the major search engines. I have had great success with Web Position Gold.
posted on January 30, 2003 10:44:08 AM new
There's been a recent crackdown by the search engines for web sites that utilize this type of software. I suggest against using programs like this.
[ edited by sun818 on Jan 30, 2003 11:53 AM ]
posted on January 30, 2003 03:37:39 PM new
I have been working on the research stage still. I found Angelfire is for Personal pages only. I looked at OS sites and think the very small type size is hard for older people to read. I am older-- myself. Moostores look the same as the OS stores I saw in a lot of ways.
I found that everyone and their mother is now offering Froogle searches--including AW.Anyone think adding Froogle will make a difference here at AW?They have the benefit it of transfer to auctions like eBay from shops.
Question-and probably a dumb one---I know what a shopping cart is-for when people buy things on your your site.. Is this a software that also enables you to list your items on a page ?
Thanks!!
Cathy
posted on January 30, 2003 08:06:50 PM new
I have to aggree with bigcitycollectables about Auction Watch Stores.
I have a website off ebay....
I have an Auction Watch Store with all the 16 things BCC mentioned above. The store dose sell a few itemms each month. It could sell more if I ever added all the inventory I could.
I have a PayPal store as I use PayPal to collect from my EBAY auctions, My Auction Watch Store Front, My Regular Web site and email and even some telephoned direct sales.
Depending on what you sell one or two sells a month off any of the three could pay the listing and hosting fees.
posted on February 1, 2003 07:14:06 AM new
I found a sitebuilder I can use! It is WYSIWYG!It is Free--with their ads and they have reasonable packages to upgrade. I am building free (20mgs) and will upgrade if I am happy with the software.It is Trellix powered--which I have used. It is Tripod. Ebay has ads all over--so a link to eBay auctions would be a great addition!
130+templates for site look and 30+ are customizable--which is what am doing. Just remember when you choose--the links will always stay--top or on the right--just as the template has them. There is an HTML editor too if you can use it.There are drawbacks that I can live with --like just 4 fonts.This may be the answer for non-techies like me!
posted on February 1, 2003 10:26:18 AM new
sun818 - "There's been a recent crackdown by the search engines for web sites that utilize this type of software. I suggest against using programs like this."
????????
What crackdown? Can you supply factual information that shows your statement to be true?
posted on February 1, 2003 11:08:19 AM new
No, not really, I'm not going to say this specific web site got delisted from Google.com for using Web Position Gold. The reasonins is the same eBay had with all the other auction search services... It was an unauthorized use of bandwidth solely for the gain of another company. The Google API only allows 1,000 results per day. How many search results do you think they pull in without permission from Google?
Any search engine can cross-tabulate and find out who you are. Just don't crying to anyone when your site gets delisted okay?
posted on February 1, 2003 06:47:20 PM new
you get what you pay for.
for 39.99 ,you can sell books and gifts on amzn called zshop,list 40,000 items for 39.99 and use amzn one click to accept credit card,they deposit the proceeds in your bank account once a month or you can transfer the proceeds yourself.
they also charge a commish for each item you sold.
you can also open a shop on yahoo shopping,49.95 plus 10 cents per item,when item sells,1/2% fee.if the order comes thru yahoo network, 3 1/2 % commish .
yahoo shop software is first class,you can have the order faxed to your phone and get an email at the same time.
yahoo shopers have that $dough$ and dont haggle on shipping fee.
posted on February 1, 2003 11:07:01 PM new
sun 818 - Your response makes no sense to me...In your opinion, how does a web site obtain a top ten listing in major search engines (Google being No. 1) without using such a service? Please educate me!
posted on February 2, 2003 06:32:24 PM new
Google gets most of its index by spidering the web. Unlike many other search engines, google actually takes into account, the site content, rather than just meta tags, etc. The main way to get a top listing in google is by having relavent keywords on the page that is indexed. Also do check your tags and perhaps even your page url(ie, widgets.com/best-selling-widgets.html) Don't overdue it, or use hidden fonts(white font on white background) to spam the index. Play by the rules and google will treat you right. Break them, and they will ban your site for good. Google will usually pick up your index but may not spider your complete site until a couple of months later. Once in, however, google will make monthly visits and update any new pages.
posted on February 2, 2003 09:17:10 PM new
I have both an ebay store and an AW store. I am testing both to determine which will be best for my stamp business. I have not decided at this time. In fact, I may just keep both. How can I pass up a storefront at a site (ebay) which has so many hits per day? Further, the new partnership between AW and Froogle should help every AW store owner with hits and possible sales. The one problem with two stores is alocating inventory between the stores and auctions.
posted on February 2, 2003 10:41:28 PM newIn your opinion, how does a web site obtain a top ten listing in major search engines
Your question is not possible to answer in one post. Go to webmasterworld.com and you can lurk and learn. Its a lot of hard work but it can be accomplished within one year.
posted on February 3, 2003 07:03:02 AM new
labelle- I think the software you are asking about is your<B> FTP client. </B>
FTP is an internet program that sends your files to your server and puts them on your website. There are several of them available for free download, or your web authoring program may be equipped with one already.
"And All Shall be Well, and All Shall be Well, and All Manner of Things Shall be Well"
posted on February 4, 2003 02:26:17 PM new
Well, I have put together a site look on a basic free, customizable sitebuilder. It is set up ;I have organized my pages; I have made my navigation link buttons.I need to add product and payment system.
Dragonmom-The ftp thing is a "browse" upload for Trellix. I also found that there is an option to add your own HTML.Now I will look for some to download and load. Maybe a survey.Looks like Shopping cart has to be added???
kiara- looking back through the messages, it
looks like you have been at this point I am at.When you said to look out for back end ad-on costs--Holy Cow! You were right!!I need a shopping cart and am at a loss. What did you do?
What did anyone do for a payment system?? And one not charging an arm and a leg? I would like to be able to get on Froogle.
I will use Paypal because auction people are used to it, CC on Propay and would like to take checks/MO. How do I do this?Any suggestions Greatly appreciated.
posted on February 4, 2003 07:30:21 PM new
Cathy, if you're looking for a reasonably priced shopping cart, mals-e.com (http://www.mals-e.com) can't be beat (it's free), and there's a good support board. Since it's form-based, it integrates into any page creation tool you can think of. I used FrontPage 2000 to create my pages, and it's quite user friendly. However, My pages are currently all static html and I would someday like to move to a database system and dynamic pages, so if anyone has a suggestion for how to get started, it would be helpful.
Something I would suggest is that you look at a lot of e-commerce sites, including various Yahoo! stores, read through ordering faqs, shipping faqs, payment faqs, privacy faqs, etc, etc., etc. Look at the various templates, and see what appeals to you. Most shoppers, I think, prefer a plain white background, quick-loading images (use thumbnails that can be enlarged), and text that is not overly large. Give your site a clean, decluttered look.
You can take a look at my site to see what I've done with FP and Mal's (lots of areas still under construction, though and it's gone through lots of revisions), or go to Mal's site and click through to some of the stores that use this cart and you'll get an idea of what can be done.
Gena
http://www.fleecies.com
[ edited by fleecies on Feb 4, 2003 07:31 PM ]
[ edited by fleecies on Feb 4, 2003 07:32 PM ]
posted on February 5, 2003 01:24:19 PM new
Fleecies
Thanks for the URL!! You really have a fine site! It really is encouraging me to perservere!Your language is really "warm and cuddly" sounding.I also see what you mean about white. My main body area wil be white. I personally liked the 10th product to charity. It is something I will think about doing somehow myself..
I got my domain name today--like someone else suggested.It is my eBay ID.
THANKS for the shopping cart lead! They are perfect! I can use checks as well as Paypal and think I can hand process CC orders through Propay for those that don't want a Paypal account.I looked at the other shops using them and was impressed with the checkouts.
There is no better teacher than experience.Again I thank all the posters!!
My web site is mostly static pages, so its not any better. Its one thing to give advice. But to list your web site in the same post is shameless self promotion and in bad taste IMO.