A friend of mine is looking forward to building an e-commerce site, and she has asked for my advice. I’d just like some opinions as to YOUR experiences in this field.

I ask because I’ve never built an e-commerce site, nor has she, and I need some direction.

She imports material (fabrics, linens, etc.) from overseas, and sells the raw material here in the U.S.
She was directed to HotScripts.com by a ‘web design friend’, and now, she has bookmarked dozens of ‘solutions’. She mentioned a mailing list, blog for comments, contact form, photo gallery.
She is convinced that this can ALL be done cheaply. I advised her, ‘you get what you pay for’.

I’ve told her about ExpressionEngine + Simple Commerce Module. She just shrieks at the idea of spending $250+ for her new website. ggrrr.

I told her that the HotScripts solution will cause her nightmares. She doesn’t understand how or why. I’ve explained the ordeal of tying in multiple scripts possibly using separate databases and their own template systems.

As she puts it, ‘i just want to sell stuff’.

I’m just waiting for her to come to me and:
1.) Ask that I build this for her (bad).
2.) Ask that I use WordPress for this site (worrsse!).

This is actually easier than it may sound.

1 - Quickly nail down a detailed list of requirements; features, design, maintenance, hosting, etc. Figure out what you would charge her to do the work (hours, weeks, months, times some profitable hourly rate) and give her a proposal.

2 - If she goes for it, fine. Collect some money up front, get additional payment as various milestones are met, collect the rest when done. See #3…

3 - If she doesn’t go for it, fine.

I make it a point not to devote much time and effort to a potential client that squirms over a $250 site.

Thanks RonnieMc.
I’ve told her I would not do this project for her, she asked why, I just don’t like mixing friends with business, and vice-versa.

But I did tell her I would assist her along the way in finding someone in doing the project.
I advised her to be prepared to spend a couple thousand dollars, ‘but its just a website!?’ was her response.

ggrr ... some people just don’t get it.
:(

Amen to that.  I’ve dealt with so many people who have have a business plan contingent on the website being a success and leading to sales but are completely astounded that it actually costs something.  Since when do you get something without putting anything in?

A while back (few years ago) an ex-client asked the famous, ‘oh you make websites? what do you charge?’.

I jokingly explained that I can do it for $500. Then he proceeded to ask about being first in Google searches. My price instantly went to a few grand. It was great, he was all - i want this, i want that, i want widgets and gadjets annnnnnd to be first in Google.
The lunch conversation quickly changed to politics. LMAO

OrganizedFellow - 18 November 2008 10:40 AM

I’ve told her about ExpressionEngine + Simple Commerce Module. She just shrieks at the idea of spending $250+ for her new website. ggrrr.

...and I bet she spends a small fortune buying stock!

OrganizedFellow - 18 November 2008 10:40 AM

I told her that the HotScripts solution will cause her nightmares. She doesn’t understand how or why. I’ve explained the ordeal of tying in multiple scripts possibly using separate databases and their own template systems.

Multiple scripts isn’t always that bad, I’ve got plenty of clients running a fully fledged cart system, and EE for their blog+non cart content, and they seem to be quite happy.

OrganizedFellow - 18 November 2008 10:40 AM

As she puts it, ‘i just want to sell stuff’.

Lol… if she owned a bricks and mortar shop she’d be paying a fortune in rent and staff.

OrganizedFellow - 18 November 2008 10:40 AM

I’m just waiting for her to come to me and:
1.) Ask that I build this for her (bad).
2.) Ask that I use WordPress for this site (worrsse!).

1. If you can get a fair price agreed not too bad
2. aaaaaargh no!

OrganizedFellow - 18 November 2008 10:40 AM

I’ve told her about ExpressionEngine + Simple Commerce Module. She just shrieks at the idea of spending $250+ for her new website. ggrrr.

Leave her shrieking and get out of there stat!