OT: Shopping Cart search

[Guest guest]

Well, what a wild and wooly world of shopping carts for websites out there!

 

I spent a good part of today googling " shopping cart reviews " and the

overload of information, geekspeak and such was annoying and tiresome.

 

I know many are happy with free carts, but I'm pretty sure the few extras I

want kick my quest into the paid range, which doesn't bother me, but the

search for those extras is fruitless when I find myself slogging through

thousands of geekspeak.

 

Here's what I need, and I'm hoping someone here can help me (I'm currently

using Paypal and want something MUCH better):

 

1. On my Guild site, when applications are submitted from the website, I

have to cut and paste the info into Excel. Want that automated

 

2. Also want payment info downloadable into QuickBooks.

 

3. Want automatic invoices generated. So many tell me that they have to

manually type each one! Yikes.

 

4. Usual bells and whistles -- easy to add items to (on my end = new

products), easy for consumer to use, autogenerated responses, shipping

estimates on weight, distance, etc., autogenerated shipping labels and

tracking info, etc.

 

5. Paypal does have a good subscription element to their cart, which is

great for my Guild members, as it keeps track of their renewal period,

etc., but, as stated, want out of paypal.

 

6. I've heard lots of shopping carts are " ugly " , but there are some you can

personalize to match your website. Since I'm selling luxury goods, a

personalized cart is important.

 

Anything else y'all can think of I need?

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[Guest guest]

Hi Anya,

 

It sounds like you might be able to take advantage of an Access (relational)

database to do most of the things you're describing. The database can be

connected to your site on the back end. Any form you want can be designed, and

then it gets autofilled into the database. You just tell the database where you

want it to go. You can create all kinds of customized reports also. It can

pull some financial information for management purposes for you.

 

There are all sorts of data/information management software packages out there

(that's what it sounds like you're asking for), but the good thing about Access

is that its a Windows program - if you're not on a Mac. So you don't have to

spend any more money than you already have.

 

For example, you can create a form for the subscription information that your

rs provide you online. You can have the database pull or autofill that

information into a customer/contact information segment. That way they do the

data input for you. That information would be the parent information that

everything else would be related to (child).

 

I'm not sure if its downloadable into Quickbooks though. Maybe the Quickbooks

support line can answer that for you.

 

I'm certainly no expert, but I've worked with Access. It has its limitations,

but it just might serve your needs. Anyway - that's one option. HTH Tam

 

Anya <mccoy wrote:

Well, what a wild and wooly world of shopping carts for websites out

there!

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

>Hi Anya,

>

>It sounds like you might be able to take advantage of an Access (relational)

>database to do most of the things you're describing. The database can be

>connected to your site on the back end. Any form you want can be designed, and

>then it gets autofilled into the database. You just tell the database

>where you

>want it to go. You can create all kinds of customized reports also. It can

>pull some financial information for management purposes for you.

 

Hi Tam.

I have Access, but it's so confusing I haven't used it yet. OK, Chris, the

listmom is my webmistress, and she has Access too, but pray tell what is

" connected on the back end. " ?

 

It sounds like you really know this stuff, and for me reading it, it's like

Martian. Can you give a couple of quick tips?

 

>For example, you can create a form for the subscription information that your

>rs provide you online. You can have the database pull or autofill

>that

>information into a customer/contact information segment. That way they do the

>data input for you. That information would be the parent information that

>everything else would be related to (child).

 

I think Chris uses php for the form we have. When it comes completed by the

applicant, it's in an email and I have to c/p everything into Excel. Sounds

like I'm doing it all wrong.

 

Are you saying this works for a shopping cart too? So we need to look for

an Access-friendly shopping cart?

 

>I'm not sure if its downloadable into Quickbooks though. Maybe the Quickbooks

>support line can answer that for you.

 

I'll look into that.

 

 

http://artisannaturalperfumers.com The Artisan Natural Perfumers Guild

http://naturalperfumery.com The premier site on Natural Perfume

 

Biggest, most dynamic natural perfumery chat group