Website hosting & online payment system

tommy134

Hello everyone,

I have recently built up my website that hopefully could realize the possibility of online shopping. Does anyone know where I can find a reliable web hosting and how much would that be? Besides, as online payment is an impotant part of this electronic business, could you give me some advice as to ways of secured and convenienet payments for customers on the internet please?

Thanks a million for any of your help and support!


PS:
I have only got an Electronic Certificate of Incorporation, should I get a printed version?

borders_dude

Google is your friend!

bordercars

hope you dont have to come on here for advice dude

OP sorry i cant help but im sure someone can help answer your questions

theboylard

Try WebHostingTalk.com , brilliant resource.

AHZB

It depends on what you need exactly.
You can actually get host providers that offer a free service but it really depends upon whether your site will be database driven or not.

I have recently setup a site which utilises the paypal merchant processing.

What are you trying to do?

tommy134

Thanks very much everyone, I am selling couture bridal and evening wear...

I wish to allow my customers to place orders and pay online. Don't know if this requires much database usage as I have just started and my total items now are less than 50, but photos for the dresses are in high resolutions approx 1-2MB each.

As I am also providing bespoke service, it'd be even better if my customers could leave meassages online or communicate with me in company emails (if it's worth setting up only one company email ).

Alik

First of all you will need a domain name. There are a few websites which you can purchase them from - Just whatever you do, avoid 1and1 they're a pain if you wish to cancel!

If you don't have one already, I recommend checking namecheap.com, heartinternet.com, godaddy.com
And make sure you google for the latest coupons to use on godaddy if you choose to use them.

Pick whichever one has the cheapest price for the domain name extentsion you want - .org.uk is a lot cheaper on heartinternet than namecheap for example.

After you got a domain name, have a look for some web hosting, cheap isn't always better but expenisve isn't always great either. Also try to avoid the whole "unlimited" thing as no host can really offer unlimited. Its bull.


For your store, look at eComerce scripts such as Prestashop, osComerce, zencart etc.
Some of them require you to have shell access to install addons etc. I personally use prestashop as osComerce and Zencart proved to be a pain to teach others how to use.

Are you planning on accepting credit/debit cards?

If you are then you will need to get a web host which allows you to use SSL certificates, as accepting Credit cards over an unsecure connection is dangerous and I think there might be requirements etc related to it saying it must be secured blahblah. I think its that you need a dedicated IP for a secure connection - Not quite sure.

If you can't find one which does let you use SSL certificates you can always use Paypals credit card payment method, it will require you to have an account but not the customer.
That is what I am currently doing but I find that people get put off when they get taken off to another website.

Hope that was some help, sorry for the huge post

qw3rt7

The questions you are asking suggest you need to go with a hosted cart solution, as even setting up an open source based cart (os commerce, zen cart etc) requires WAY more technical know how than you currently appear to have.

I am somewhat confused by your opening statement:

I have recently built up my website that hopefully could realize the possibility of online shopping

If you do not have hosting, a cart solution or even know how to set up an email address how have you 'built up your website'? Not trying to be rude, i am genuinly intrigued as to what you have done so far.

I have bought domains through uk2.net and notice they offer what seems to be a fairly solid hosted cart solution for around £10 a month:

http://www.uk2.net/shopping-cart/

This is just an example, and i haven't personally used it - do a google search for more. People may tell you to use a free open source solution as they are more flexible and free, but to be honest i expect you would screw yourself with that flexibility and spend almost as much on decent hosting - a cheepo shared hosting account will not handle a shop with very many visitors.

Coloner

I've heard about hostgator from many people. Maybe you'll try it? Search "hostgator hosting" in Google..

taralou

Hi Tommy, Good luck with your website, I have just done the same!!! :j I got the whole package from BT, I know some may groan but they were doing a package for £2.99 per month for a year and thought this would give me enough time to see if my online shop will work or not. I have got a paypal shopping cart on mine. Very easy to use and install (I had no previous knowledge of any of this and have learnt as I have gone along!!). It is working very well and have a lot of trust in Paypal and they accept all major debit and credit cards. Sorry, don't trust some of these sites I prefer to go with established companies so there is always some comeback and good customer support. :rotfl:

Hermann

I've used Ariotek and can highly recommend them.

The customer service is great and I've often been able to get help setting something up via livechat at silly time of the day ie .around midnight!!

They have a helpful bunch on their forums too.

The hosting costs vary depending on your needs but start at around £30 a year. All with a range of shopping carts.

You can buy domains from them very reasonably as well.

http://ariotek.co.uk/hosting