FP2003 Web Base Database

[N.A.W.]

I was thinking of getting FP2003 I read that they have added a database
wizard in your pages. If so, would I still need to get a shopping cart
add-on to make a storefront page?

 

[Jim Cheshire]

NAW,

There are better options than StoreFront in my opinion. I recently went
through a great demonstration of FrontPageCart.com from Paul Colligan, a
friend of mine who runs that site. I was absolutely blown away by the
capabilities of FrontPageCart.com, and the best thing about it is that you
don't have to worry about trying to implement it using pages and a database
from someone else.

If I were you, I would at least check it out. There's a link on my site or
you can just go to FrontPageCart.com.

--
Jim Cheshire
Jimco Add-ins
http://www.jimcoaddins.com
===================================
Co-author of Special Edition
Using Microsoft FrontPage 2003
Order it today!
http://sefp2003.frontpagelink.com

 

[N.A.W.]

What is the cost of it? I have a IT business that I am getting up and
running, but currently have limited funds. I sell computer systems, softwar
and hardware. Right now I do it part time from home but hope that someday I
can get enough clients to do it full time from a store.. Any help would be
great.

 

[Jim Cheshire]

NAW,

They have many different plans. Check them out!

--
Jim Cheshire
Jimco Add-ins
http://www.jimcoaddins.com
===================================
Co-author of Special Edition
Using Microsoft FrontPage 2003
Order it today!
http://sefp2003.frontpagelink.com

 

[MD WebsUnlimited.com]

I don't believe that N.A.W was speaking about LaGardes StoreFront product,
but simply asking if by using just FP and the wizards could he create a
storefront page.

The answer is yes you can N.A.W, however how are you going to accept
payments? If by credit card then you'll need a merchant account and a
payment gateway. A lot of people start by using PayPal and the FP addin to
accept payments.

I disagree with Jim's assessment of FrontPageCart primarily based upon the
costs involved on a recurring basis. You can take the monies that you'd
spend on it, $40 a month, and purchase an excellent package such as LaGardes
StoreFront and have a return payback in under six months. StoreFront, the
product, has been around since early 1998 and is a proven product.

I would suggest that you define what features that you require now and
possibly in the future then evaluate each of the carts that are available to
you which are numerous.

Check the FP add-ins at
http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/downloads/addin/launchupdate/searchresults.asp?s=C&c=8&x=16&y=17

P.S. I've also heard good things about SalesCart.

Note: If you plan to accept credit cards then you'll need a merchant account
and a gateway processor, comparison shop for both first. There is a wide
range in transaction fees, discount percentages. That way you can narrow
your focus on those carts that will work with the payment gateway you
choose.

IMHO, the fact that you have limited funds, FrontPageCart is not the way to
go.

If you need additional help from someone that has been there and done it let
me know.

 

[Jim Cheshire]

Your information is wrong. The cost for a package at FrontPageCart.com that
blows away LaGarde's product in both usability and operability will cost you
$19.00 per month. There are other packages that cost more, but they also
add exponentially more features. You pick the one that's right for you.

NAW, don't take someone else's word for it. Shop around. I can tell you
that I have created an e-commerce site with StoreFront, and unless you have
a pretty strong knowledge of coding, you're not going to get the results you
want. In my opinion, it's just not a very user-friendly package, and if you
ask around, you'll find that LaGarde isn't held in very high regard from
most people.

Remember, there are HUGE, HUGE, HUGE advantages to letting someone else host
your data! You'll get much better performance because your data isn't
sitting on a hosting company's server that is also running 200 other sites.
Your data is protected and secure. Your data gets backed up regularly. On
and on and on.

Check out the features of each. I think you'll agree with me. A cursory
examination of the features in FrontPageCart.com will tell you it's worth
WAY more than $19 per month.

--
Jim Cheshire
Jimco Add-ins
http://www.jimcoaddins.com
===================================
Co-author of Special Edition
Using Microsoft FrontPage 2003
Order it today!
http://sefp2003.frontpagelink.com

 

[MD WebsUnlimited.com]

Jim,


The question asked by N.A.W. did not ask about LaGarde's StoreFront so it
was mis-read from the beginning. I answered the question posed by N.A.W.

Even with the FrontPageCart basic package at $20 per month, provided you
could create something useful, you're talking about a $240 cost per year and
for every year that you use it.

The arguments / points that you make in this post have no foundation:

1. Shop around. I believe I stressed that in my post. Yours did not, but
only suggested FrontPageCart alone. I believe I know why.

2. Hosting with 200 others. FrontPageCart is hosted with 200 or maybe even
more people on the same server so this argument is worthless. BTW,
FrontPageCart hosts with a provider just like the rest of us and is a
reseller of 1ShoppingCart.com's services. No different that reselling web
hosting, which Paul also does. If you need this service, which I don't
believe is the case here then go to the source for the service.
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/resellers.asp#one

Registered through: GoDaddy.com
Domain Name: FRONTPAGECART.COM
Created on: 28-Jan-03
Expires on: 28-Jan-06
Last Updated on: 30-Oct-03

Which is www.1shoppingcart.com
Organization:
1shoppingcart.com
Robert Bell
1430 Willamette St. # 333
Eugene, OR 97401-4049
US
Phone: (877) 554-1444
Fax..: 705-792-5299
Email: (e-mail address removed)

Registrar Name....: Register.com
Registrar Whois...: whois.register.com
Registrar Homepage: http://www.register.com

Domain Name: 1SHOPPINGCART.COM

Created on..............: Sat, Mar 18, 2000
Expires on..............: Sun, Mar 18, 2007
Record last updated on..: Mon, Oct 20, 2003

Hosting is done at:

364 St. Vincent St
Barrie, ON L4M 4A5
CA


3. Shop around Again I believe I stressed this in my post. A lot of the
features offered by FrontPageCart are just worthless and will never be used
at least not enough to recover the costs assoicate with them.

4. Experence. I know of no commercial web site that you've created or
handle, though some could claim that JimCo Addin is commerical. I've
developed ecommerce web sites for other and have maintained Webs Unlimited
ecommerce, since it's inception in 1997. I've worked with StoreFront on
several occasion and I known that Thomas Rowe and David Berry, both have
highley recommended it to other. I also know that it is their ecommerce
package of choice


Note: Your signature block link indicates there is a bias toward Paul
Colligan ventures.

 

[clintonG]

I have to weigh in on this one as I can speak with authority as I was
active for two and a half years as a LaGarde StoreFront 5 Affiliate
Business Partner supporting the product line as a 3rd party developer.

There are circumstances where using LaGarde's StoreFront may
prove viable but to describe the product line -- any version -- as
'excellent' is dishonest. To describe the product line as 'proven' is
a farce.

Would you like to argue the facts?

-
<%= Clinton Gallagher
A/E/C Consulting, Web Design, e-Commerce Software Development
Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin USA
NET (e-mail address removed)
URL http://www.metromilwaukee.com/clintongallagher/

 

[grw]

"Would you like to argue the facts?"

Agreed. No

 

[MD WebsUnlimited.com]

clintonG,

I knew you would wade in, how could you resist? ;>)

I'm well aware of your position on the product, I've seen the posts. It
still does not change my opinion of StoreFront and the LaGarde organization
as a whole.

My advise to N.A.W. was not to purchase StoreFront nor to follow Jim's
recommendation to jump into FrontPageCart. Instead to evaluate his / her
needs, to narrow down the scope of what can be afforded at this time, etc.
then evaluate the available e-Commerce systems.

 

[N.A.W.]

I was gonna start off using Paypal. My main items to sell will be Computer
Systems, a few hardware and software now and then. I dont want to spend alot
in the beginning, so if I can get FP2003 and it will do what I want without
purchasing an extra package then that will be the way I will be going and I
do agree about starting small then evaluate the available e-Commerce
systems.

 

[MD WebsUnlimited.com]

There is a Paypal addin for FP that is "free" at
http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/downloads/addin/searchdetail.asp?a=137