New Online Shop - Complete Noob, Please help :(

Lament

Lament

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Good day,

Let me start of by saying i'm an absolute noob regarding this. I have watched a few you-tube vids and to be honest. Im a little lost. The thought of getting an actual web designer has crossed my mind at least 700 times the past week as I simply cannot believe its such a mission. The problem is I dont have money to waste and would prefer to do it myself.

So knowing absolutely fckall about web-page development or web-page design I started watching a few videos to get a feel of it. Its would seem that WordPress is the way to go as you don't really need any webpage design experience.

So first it was said I have to register a domain name. I went to “registerdomainname.co.za” and I registered my domain.

Second I need to find a hosting partner. I could host from the guys above but saw Axxess has a 6 months free option. This already started getting confusing as there is so many options and I have absolutely no idea which one to pick. I decided to just take the xxs package as its free for 6 months and I can always upgrade to a better package if the need arises.

So this was my first mistake. As it seems like its an impossible task getting the domain moved to axxess. Its moved semi from what I can see, but nothing is working correctly. I updated the axxess name servers on “registerdomainname” and if I go to the page it takes me to an axxess landing page. The Support of registerdomainname” did tell me it takes 7 days before a new domain can be moved. I asked Axxess how to go about this but its seems like they can’t be bothered to respond, so I don’t know.

If I log into axxess and go to the control panel & install wordpress (which I did), But I am unable to make any changes when I log into the WP-admin thingy, When you try to customize anything it takes you to a blank page and just says loading. I tried from multiple browsers…. And I simply don’t know why and axxess support is non-existent. It might be something small but I simply don’t know. So I have really stripped my moer and decided to go elsewhere.

Last night I came across “GoDaddy”, On the one hand its amazing compared to the confusion to what is axxess. They have a “free trail” website builder and everything is just easy and simple. But the problem is, the youtube vidoes I watched on how to create an online store all shows there is supposed to be a “goDaddy online store” option on the builder which there is not. I don’t know if this is not available in SA??
So now my question, What are my options?, Where or what should I do? Can anyone recommend a easy to understand site?, It can even be complex as long as there is an adequate instruction manual or videos I can follow. Unlike Axxess where you have absolutely no idea what you are doing, nothing works, and there is no support to help you pinpoint the issue.

I really like the GoDaddy interface, What makes me a little hesitant is that there is not a lot of templates, there was +- 15 If I have to guess, and none of them was really appealing. I did however build a site in 30min which goes to show how easy it is. So i'm wondering If I actually register if more themes/templates will become available?, If so do we as SA have an option to create an online store via Godaddy website builder as per the videos?. For anyone familiar with GoDaddy, as per the videos there is an option where you update your products with prices and quantity etc, I cannot find or see this option.

Then again, there are so flippen many options it gives you a headache. They even have wordpress only options, Should I rather opt for this?

I want to start a basic online shop. There will be +- 10 categories with 5 ~ 10 products under each category.

Helps please……L

If this has been discussed before, Can someone please just point me to the thread?
 
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retromodcoza said:
You are going down a rabbit hole that is very very deep with no skills. This is a wheel that should not be reinvented.

https://www.shopify.co.za
https://www.3dcart.com

They have trials. Give them a go.
Click to expand...

The thing is all the videos makes it seem so easy. Fully working website in 15min....So easy a child could do it....
There is fckall easy about any of this. :mad::mad:, Fcking SSL, SEO's, Digital Marketing, Google Adds, Wordpress, Hosting, Certificates, Plugins....FFS, But its so easy a child can do it....my arse.

I did have a look at shopify yesterday, but will do that free trail and see how it goes, Thanks!!
 
Noob-Noob said:
The thing is all the videos makes it seem so easy. Fully working website in 15min....So easy a child could do it....
There is fckall easy about any of this. :mad::mad:, Fcking SSL, SEO's, Digital Marketing, Google Adds, Wordpress, Hosting, Certificates, Plugins....FFS, But its so easy a child can do it....my arse.

I did have a look at shopify yesterday, but will do that free trail and see how it goes, Thanks!!
Click to expand...

I have done it utilizing just about all of the above. Its not straightforward unless you know what you're doing. Shopify is the king of this type of thing. You may have a better time with them.

Also - plan to spend 100 hrs or so on this setup. You will get there eventually if you keep ploughing through.
 
Noob-Noob said:
The thing is all the videos makes it seem so easy. Fully working website in 15min....So easy a child could do it....
There is fckall easy about any of this. :mad::mad:, Fcking SSL, SEO's, Digital Marketing, Google Adds, Wordpress, Hosting, Certificates, Plugins....FFS, But its so easy a child can do it....my arse.

I did have a look at shopify yesterday, but will do that free trail and see how it goes, Thanks!!
Click to expand...

Just get the basics working, then you can figure out SEO, Adwords and the rest.
 
Maybe someone can just tell me if im doing anything wrong here.
This is now via Axxess's wordpress.

I go to the Dashboard, then the moment I click on "Customise your site" or setup home page it takes me to a blank page. Now WT(Actual)F ?

1559044429479.png

Here it remains, does not matter which browser or which computer you use. This is what I get. I can change themes all I want. All comes back to this :

1559044501160.png
 
Sign up with elitehost for your hosting, as any hosting they do have issues, mainly down here and there, though they've been ok for a while.

Anyhow part of the hosting service is a software package called softaculous and that has tons of various free website solutions, including various ecommerce platforms.

Find the one that you like, look at the demos, and click install and you have an instant e-commerce site which you then customise according to your preferences and start trading within a few days - once you have loaded some products.

Its fairly simple, heck my mom in her 70's is running an online store, using prestashop.
 
gamer16 said:
Hmm Squarespace? Easy peasy mate
Click to expand...
Thanks!!, Just had a look,
For websites its awesome. But for a store the templates are bad. I cannot find a single template that has Shop->Categories-> Products.
I cant even find one that has Categories -> Products. It seems like all the pages wants me to list all my products on the main page :crying:
 
lived666 said:
Sign up with elitehost for your hosting, as any hosting they do have issues, mainly down here and there, though they've been ok for a while.

Anyhow part of the hosting service is a software package called softaculous and that has tons of various free website solutions, including various ecommerce platforms.

Find the one that you like, look at the demos, and click install and you have an instant e-commerce site which you then customise according to your preferences and start trading within a few days - once you have loaded some products.

Its fairly simple, heck my mom in her 70's is running an online store, using prestashop.
Click to expand...

I see its only R35 a month, So if it does not work for me I can cancel at any time?

Well if your mom at 70 can do it, Im sure I can. (not saying i'm more clever than your mom, but i'm a flippen IT manager, this should not be this difficult for me :ROFL:)
That said, my mom is 60 and she cant switch between the DVD player and Mnet, She simply cannot grasp you have to press "source" on the TV remote to switch between sources. Teaching her Whatsapp was a 2 weeks course. Facebook she has for about 2 years now, The course is still in progress.... Things like Google, GPS, Email etc is simply Greek to her. Maybe our family is just slow come to think of it...lol
 
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Noob-Noob said:
I see its only R35 a month, So if it does not work for me I can cancel at any time?

Well if your mom at 70 can do it, Im sure I can. (not saying i'm more clever than your mom, but i'm a flippen IT manager, this should not be this difficult for me :ROFL:)
That said, my mom is 60 and she cant switch between the DVD player and Mnet, She simply cannot grasp you have to press "source" on the TV remote to switch between sources. Teaching her Whatsapp was a 2 weeks course. Facebook she has for about 2 years now, The course is still in progress.... Things like Google, GPS, Email etc is simply Greek to her. Maybe our family is just slow come to think of it...lol
Click to expand...

I dunno all the details of cancelling etc and I use a slightly more expensive package. But yeah, moms, mine has no idea how to use whatsapp but she can work a website...go figure, so should be easy enough for you.

Jason from Elite host is pretty decent, contact him.

For e-commerce solution I would look at either opencart, magento, zencart, prestshop, oscommerce - they all fairly easy to use and each has their advantages and disadvantages.
If you planning on e-commerce, you probably going to want to take credit cards, so signing up with payfast is quite easy and basically just check whatever platform you choose that payfast has a module for it.
 
lived666 said:
I dunno all the details of cancelling etc and I use a slightly more expensive package. But yeah, moms, mine has no idea how to use whatsapp but she can work a website...go figure, so should be easy enough for you.

Jason from Elite host is pretty decent, contact him.

For e-commerce solution I would look at either opencart, magento, zencart, prestshop, oscommerce - they all fairly easy to use and each has their advantages and disadvantages.
If you planning on e-commerce, you probably going to want to take credit cards, so signing up with payfast is quite easy and basically just check whatever platform you choose that payfast has a module for it.
Click to expand...
Thanks dude,
It seems like Pretshop does not have payfast?, other than that its the best "site builder", or easiest rather I have found this far.
 
Noob-Noob said:
Maybe someone can just tell me if im doing anything wrong here.
This is now via Axxess's wordpress.

I go to the Dashboard, then the moment I click on "Customise your site" or setup home page it takes me to a blank page. Now WT(Actual)F ?

View attachment 664478

Here it remains, does not matter which browser or which computer you use. This is what I get. I can change themes all I want. All comes back to this :

View attachment 664490
Click to expand...
Do you actually have a theme running/activated?
 
Noob-Noob said:
Thanks dude,
It seems like Pretshop does not have payfast?, other than that its the best "site builder", or easiest rather I have found this far.
Click to expand...

It has payfast, many of these sites you have to add modules, some are paid for, thats how they make money,
but many are free.

https://www.payfast.co.za/shopping-carts/

Personally I prefer Zen cart because it has lots of free optional modules but Presta recently came out with a new version so I'm not sure exactly what it looks like but it is quite powerful for e-commerce the main drawback with presta is most of the optional modules are paid for - but you may never need or want them.
 
Have you thought about using WAMP whilst you figure WordPress out? It creates a local "server" on your desktop from where you can play around to your hearts content without the hassle of using Axxess (at least before you decide to launch the site).

Also, Parent and Child themes are a must if you are doing any sort of theme customization. Drop me a PM if you need help at all.
 
lived666 said:
It has payfast, many of these sites you have to add modules, some are paid for, thats how they make money,
but many are free.

https://www.payfast.co.za/shopping-carts/

Personally I prefer Zen cart because it has lots of free optional modules but Presta recently came out with a new version so I'm not sure exactly what it looks like but it is quite powerful for e-commerce the main drawback with presta is most of the optional modules are paid for - but you may never need or want them.
Click to expand...
Thank you!!
Its interesting because last night I tried adding a payment "widget" (if you can call it that), and payfast was not available. But can clearly see its available for Presta via Payfast site...Will check tonight though, Thanks so much for all the feedback and help, you helped me more than you realize :)

PS. I Will have a look at the Zen Cart as well. softaculous & Elite host is really nice. No hassles this far. I even installed Wordpress last night and it worked 100%, Unlike the one I did on axxess. When I click "Customize" page it actually lets me customize my page :p, So now I can actually have a look at Wordpress as well. I would have avoided a lot of headache If I just used EliteHost from the start.
 
Johnatan56 said:
Do you actually have a theme running/activated?
Click to expand...
Yip,
Created a new page last night but via EliteHost and not axxess. Installed WordPress exactly the same as I did on Axxess. And Its working 1st time. No issues. So the bugger up is either on Axxess's side or RegisterDomainname. I dont know.
 
Noob-Noob said:
Thank you!!
Its interesting because last night I tried adding a payment "widget" (if you can call it that), and payfast was not available. But can clearly see its available for Presta via Payfast site...Will check tonight though, Thanks so much for all the feedback and help, you helped me more than you realize :)

PS. I Will have a look at the Zen Cart as well. softaculous & Elite host is really nice. No hassles this far. I even installed Wordpress last night and it worked 100%, Unlike the one I did on axxess. When I click "Customize" page it actually lets me customize my page :p, So now I can actually have a look at Wordpress as well. I would have avoided a lot of headache If I just used EliteHost from the start.
Click to expand...

I never liked wordpress for e-commerce, though they do have the woocommerce plugin, but never really did it for me.
The default template for zencart is outdated, you need to work on the responsive classic template (selected in admin), it is the modern look, and they have soo many free modules but it takes time learning how to use and install modules, sometime you crash everything, but easy enough to reinstall the backups that elitehost make.
 
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