Web Site questions

[cestout]

I just sold my first Burial Urn on consignment at a local mortuary. When looking for ideas an pricing information, I found a web site selling wooden burial urns - mom and pop operation - that was closing because it was getting too overwhelming. I was thinking of starting a web site to sell my urns and some other custom stuff, like wedding/anniversary boxes based on my "More Elegant Box". The problem is, I have no idea how to do it. I know I can get payments thru PayPal. What software can I use to set up the site? How do I acquire the site and what does it cost to start and maintain? How do I set it up with PayPal? And questions that I don't even know?
Thanks for your help,
Clint

[fwharris]

Clint,

I've got a local guy who does urns http://bigurn.com/ and works directly through the mortuaries. He has his contact info on the site, you might give him a call.

[RMarkey]

After completely re-doing the Carvewright site, I can say it's not trivial. Your best bet is to find an e-commerce site provider like http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com or just sell through http://www.etsy.com

Chase bank has an online option, too: https://www.chase.com/ccp/index.jsp?...ant-storefront

[cestout]

I am cutting and pasting your responses into a Word Doc so they will be handy.
thank you
Clint

[cestout]

I am already working with one "chain", 4 mortuaries in this area. That is in the Perris/Menifee area, but I plan to try Hemet and maybe even Temecula (there is money there). But there are people here on the forum who have sites and they seem to work.

BTW Firmware Lord, my Tambour Box is still not back in the store. It was there for a few days then disappeared. Connie says it is ready to be put back - where is it? Christmas is coming and I need it in the store so carvers can use it as a gift.

thanks
Clint

[RMarkey]

lol...I used to live in Lake Elsinore.. I still have 3 acres there, close to Diamond Stadium.

BTW Firmware Lord

I'm working on that part of the website right now, and it should be up soon.

[bluecobra]

Take a look at Yahoo! stores. I don't know if they're as intuitive as they used to be.

[jpaluck]

Hey Clint

Here a couple things for you to check out...wordpress is very easy to use http://wordpress.org/ plus free and open source and combined with woocommerce, very easy to use , also free you can have an awesome storefront http://www.woothemes.com/woocommerce/

[cestout]

I still have to do more research on what you have given me, but so far I like Fatcow for the the site etc for $56 a year. They will do the search engine stuff and everything else for $170 a year, but Steve & Peggy showed me that I can do that myself for free. Just Google it (or Yahoo it) to get the links. I am working on it every chance I get - which isn't much. I hope some other forum users are benefiting from this thread.
Thanks again
Clint

[jpaluck]

Clint,

There are a lot of options for e-commerce today. I am a big fan of open-source software. Not so much because it is free but generally there is a big following on the bigger projects which means more features thru plug-ins help etc. I have made quite a few stores for friends and stuff and some of my faves are presta shop and woocommerce for wordpress....from what your describing wordpress would be the simplest and probably get you the most seo juice. To set it up you basically need a domain name and a hosting account which are very cheap....check fatcow http://www.fatcow.com/ like 4 bucks a month. After that your good to install wordpress and woocommerce..both free. Setting up paypal is fairly easy lots of tutorials online.

If you want pm and I will see If I can help you further