4 replies to this topic

[cuneiform]

Hello,

Should I really turn to osCommerce? Advice of competence is needed How to Build a Universal Store for selling Digitals and Tangibles. Or, better, 2 separate stores should be build up.

I consider selling Digital Goods as files (graphics, e-books) and tangible goods (books, vynyl discs). I realize that this is a complex matter of investments and security procedures. Need eventual comments made by experienced sellers before I actually start doing something.

My experience for other forums has been rather negative, as any replies were in fact more general and non-specific than I had expected; they shared their opinions though being non-experienced enough in particulars, thus advising me to do this or that without considering my true needs and expectations.

My considerations and / or related questions would be as follows.

1/ The store should be universal, designed for handling the both kinds of goods at once.
2/ I would prefer a standalone solution suitable for both a/ keeping a download-able file server out of a hosting site (e.g., at home or elsewhere), and b/ having these files integrated withing a hosting site. Although, I'm not sure I really know what would be better.

Normally, they re-direct me to integrated payment-and-delivery services within hosting sites with ridiculous offers bidding $ 3 thorough 999 monthly for their services, though I'd prefer to buy a standalone software below $ 100 and then separately to find a hosting. Any doubts?

Although PayPal seems to be the payment facility of choice, is there any alternative solution instead of it, preferably on a build-into-the-cart basis?

As far as I know, there are 2 main ways of using such facilities: either while 1/ the purchaser makes the payment at your site or 2/ the purchaser contacts the (PayPay) facility directly. The second way seems to be more complicated. However, it might seemingly be more attractive for the purchaser, as the facility (PayPal) would be more reliable in his / her mind. But what does one's experience
reveal in this matter?

Besides, I'm completely sure that there are lots of important things like additional tools, which undoubtedly should be available while practically working within a digital store. Only experience may suggest their use and availability. - For a beginnner, however, all these offered 'feature lists' remain a dead stuff.

Considering how to sell both digital and tangible goods, one might dwelling on the thought that there is some specifics related to them, as some distinctions of importance in the way of handling them. Has anybody whatever thoughts about this matter, please?

As far as one can see, there would be a huge difference between considering
what is needed on the whole or else while looking through the 5 pages of threads separately.

I would be thankful for any fruitful exchange of thoughts on one's experiences, as for practical (links to) solutions (strategies, facilities, software [e-carts, builders, tools, etc.]). .

Sorry, I've been somewhat lengthly while presenting my problems, alas.

[cuneiform]

OK, seems like nobody is going to reply at all. Please, tell me then at least, whether both a/ digital goods (files) and b/ tangible goods can be sold by this system or only one of them? Also, whether the files to be sold should be stored at your place or at the hoster's? - Thanks.

Edited by cuneiform, 26 March 2011, 09:31.

[toyicebear]

With Oscommerce you can sell both a/ digital goods (files) and b/ tangible goods.

As for payment, PayPal, 2checkout or Moneybookers are ok choices and payment modules for these 3 are included in the default oscommerce install.



Oscommerce can easily be modifies by adding suitable add-ons and for a shop with digital goods, something like this and/or this can be usefull.

[cuneiform]

@ toyicebear

I appreciate very much your precise reply. However, my second question has not been correctly formulated, sorry.

I meant whether the files to be sold can be placed at a remote server or locally (your PC).

[cannuck1964]

Quote

I meant whether the files to be sold can be placed at a remote server or locally (your PC).

Yes they can using the download controller and the native osC logic.

cheers