Open-Source Web Design (step 1, step 2, step 3, step 4, step 5)
Step 4. Extra Tools:
A website now adays is filled with hundred of components. eCommerce is sometomes one of them. Many eCommerce solutions can START at $500.00 and go all the way to hundreds of thousands of dollars. This step will show you what you can do with open-source eCommerce tools.
- Zen Cart
(eCommerce Solution)
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Zen Cart™ truly is the art of e-commerce; a free, user-friendly, open source shopping cart system. The software is being developed by group of like-minded shop owners, programmers, designers, and consultants that think e-commerce could be and should be done differently. Some "solutions" seem to be complicated programming exercises instead of responding to users' needs, Zen Cart™ puts the merchants and shoppers requirements first. Similarly, other programs are nearly impossible to install and use without an IT degree, Zen Cart™ can be installed and set-up by anyone with the most basic web site building and computer skills. (source Zen Cart)
Download: HERE
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- MyMarket (Catalog System)
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MyMarket is a fully functional online shopping catalog system, built using PHP and MySQL. It was created by Ying Zhang for the purpose of teaching people about the basics of creating an E-Commerce site. (source MyMarket)
Download: HERE
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- osCommerce (eCommerce Solution)
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osCommerce is an Open Source based online shop e-commerce solution that is available for free under the GNU General Public License. It features a rich set of out-of-the-box online shopping cart functionality that allows store owners to setup, run, and maintain their online stores with minimum effort and with no costs, fees, or limitations involved.
osCommerce has attracted the largest community for an e-commerce solution that consists of over 99,400 store owners and developers worldwide with add-ons being contributed on a daily basis. To date there are over 3,300 add-ons available that have been created by the community to extend the features of an osCommerce online store.
osCommerce combines Open Source solutions to provide a free and open e-commerce platform, which includes the powerful PHP web scripting language and the fast MySQL database server. With no special requirements, osCommerce is able to run on any PHP 4.1+ enabled web server running on Linux, Solaris, BSD, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows environments.
With over 6 years of operation, osCommerce has built a showcase of over 9,300 online shops that have been voluntarily added to the live shops section, and powers many thousands of more online shops worldwide. (source osCommerce)
Download: HERE
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Info: Just one of these retail would surpass $1,000 easily. Done of the sites give prices, its all per customer quotes. Lets just cut my estimate in half and say $500.00
This section is truly amazing. eCommerce at a free price is truly a lifesaver. Some of these applications require PHP or MySQL, but guess what, those are open-source as well! read on.
- Web Authoring Tool: US $399.00
- Graphical Design Tools: US $1,148.00
- Content Authoring: US $499.99
- eCommerce Solution: US $500.00
Total Savings so far: US $2,546.00
