How much would a simple ecommerce site cost to make

d|b · 2 Dec 2008 at 17:10

I am currently researching starting up a business selling tshirt that I have designed and printed and want to have a online distribution channel.

I have a basic understanding of html, css and PHP and a very good understanding of most the major Adobe products (bar Flash unfortunately). I would be looking to take a very hands on approach to the design of the site whilst paying programmer to do the actual coding of the site. I would like to include the following pages:

About us
News Script
Online shopping system
Contact Us
Integration with Facebook, MySpace etc

I would really need help with the online shopping system, the back end interface and perhaps some of the integration with Facebook myspace etc.

I guess an approximation of what I am looking for can be seen at the online Diesel Store

http://store.diesel.com/searchResult/realgender/Men/category/Pants/tskay/B84CE7A2/gender/U/c/cat_144/lv/1/sales_line/176/areaid/7/layoutType/1

How much would setting up something like this costs and are there any ready made customisable solutions that you would recommend? Thanks!

Sagalout · 2 Dec 2008 at 17:44

The Diesel site is probably about £100K.

Ecommerce can cost anything you like really, depending on how bespoke you want it. You'll get one man bands offering to install off the shelf templates from a £1k or so, and agencies that will do a variable job of it from £3k up to, well, something like the Diesel site. We typically charge about £8k to £25k, but we only do bespoke.

d|b · 2 Dec 2008 at 18:14

Thanks for the advice. Keep in mine that I would be actively involved with doing the design, creating the visual assets, the video etc. Surely that would be make any quote a lot cheaper?

tsinc80697 · 2 Dec 2008 at 20:16

so you're looking for a website developer, to setup the database, do all the php/mysql and secure shopping/payment system?

I did that using the protx payment system for a large company 2 years ago for £2.4k. Everything was bespoke and created from scratch with the visuals provided by the web designer sat opposite me.

V4NT0M · 2 Dec 2008 at 21:01

Just to clear up in the op you mean "tshirts" rather than "tshirt", not being picky just want to make sure...

But at the end of the day it depends how custom you want it, unless you know someone personally who does this type of thing or can do it yourself you have to decide how spectacular you want it to work/look.

Personally I would go for the most basic layout and system if you currently dont have any stake in the area already and are not already established or offer something really individual, i doubt it would be worth it to pump much in.

You're probably looking at £500 - £1000 minimum again depending on how basic you want it.

d|b · 2 Dec 2008 at 21:57

Hmm ok..well I guess to further specify what I am looking for have a look at this:

http://www.ra-re.it/

Click on 'Winter 08/09' and then Man, Woman etc

Basically I want something similar to this without the music, not made with flash (flash would only probably be for the doing the strip with the models at the bottom) and with an integrated shopping system and a web based back-end for editing stock, showing pending orders etc.. I could make all the graphics and that stuff.

Do you think that someone would help me this for about £500-1000?

RickST · 2 Dec 2008 at 22:11

what odd looking people....

Anyway back to the topic - you might be able to get a freelancer to do somthing like this for £1000 but you really do get what you pay for. Your much better looking for a larger agency who have a history of ecommerce builds but your going to be looking at 10k+

one important (obvious) thing to remember is you are dealing peoples money - if you dont get a reliable system with good support from a developer you might end up in a world of pain

tres · 3 Dec 2008 at 13:23

from £500

Outsource using a freelance site, much much cheaper as they're from india etc. and i've found just as well built

Dj_Jestar · 3 Dec 2008 at 14:27

Depends how much tailoring you want.

Basically, it's a bit of a vague question, but assuming minimal, you're looking at £500 start price.

suarve · 3 Dec 2008 at 16:48

Depending on how complex you want the integration with facebook et al to be and how you will be taking payments you price could vary a lot.

If you did a quick list of exactly what you want the site to do you'll get a better estimate from someone here.

Make sure you own the code at the end of the process too. I recently came across a client who had his site made by a previous firm that used a bespoke templating system they wrote. As they owned the copyright on it, the 'other' firm refused to release the code to the customer and he was screwed basically.