I'm about to build a php/MySQL based store for a mate. I've used http://www.cubecart.com/ in the past as a trial, but I see its no longer free for the full version.

Has anyone got any experience of setting a store up? I've built a few forums in the past with php - so want to stay with that platform (using SQL).

I need quick & easy integration with Paypal, and a feature rich back office so they can look after the stock & sales themselves.

Ta

Johnny

Why not use some open source php?

I used osCommerce on www.batfreak-comics.com... nice backend and tweak-able with other plug ins.

Did some searching at lunch time. osCommerce is indeed the most popular, but this one is getting some rave reviews: http://www.magentocommerce.com/

Looks very impressive.

Johnny

Went for osCommerce Thanks for the heads up. Magento was very trick lookin', but needs php5 which my host doesnt support (yet!).

Ta.

Johnny

Well... 3 months later and I'm done My mates shop just went live 10 mins ago.... and I'm bleary eyed Didnt ignore your recommendations ScorpioTaz.. but ZenCart was the one I went with in the end as every other blessed one wouldn't work with our hosting account for 1 reason or another.

Here tis: http://www.canavansalloys.com/catalog/

Thats me in free tyres for another while

Johnny

Nice work Jonny...

I just been doing something similar for another company (just a mock-up to show what's available)... ended up with ZenCart too, again for hosting reasons (even though it's my hosting!?!) Site Clicky

Only thing with your site is you have "how to pay" on both columns, which looks a little weird.

Fair point! Have to say... the back office is fairly complicated isnt it. I just started messing with those side bars the other night and right now... have very little idea how to turn them off! Must hoke round it later.

John

T'other popular one is ACatalog (Actinic Catalog I think). Thinking about putting some like this together meself, so will check out Zen

The one thing I'll say about Zen is that the back office is VERY complex and disjointed. There's menus everywhere! Maybe thats how they all look bejind the scenes.

After researching, I wanted to try that Magento one - but it needs PHP5 which my host hadn't upgraded to.

John

What's it like in terms of being able to customise? I notice your site and the demo site Scorpio did are very similar - is there any sort of templating engine?

Also, how straightforward is the integration with a payment provider? I see you use Paypal...

Well - its my first attempt - and it wasnt easy. Theres nested folders all over the show - templates, over-ride templates - language driven templates... I just therefore stuck to the default look.

Its got it all... but you need to get into the code to change some stuff. One thing i WILL give them - theres a massive community and i got answers to everything quickly on their support forum.

Paypal plugged straight in BTW. No problem at all.

John