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Ask YC: how to go about setting up my own online store

Posted by ulfstein on Sunday July 27, 2008 @11:43PM
from the self-post dept.
Hi everyone,

I'm hoping for some feedback/advice on the following: I'm looking to set up an e-commerce solution for which I am going to invest approximately $10,000.- of my own money. However, I am not a programmer/have very little understanding of programming and, given that it's my own hard-earned cash, I'm very nervous about making a wrong decision.

Some stuff that's going through my head:

   1. am I better off building a functioning prototype (ie. an alpha site) with something like Drupal or Magento (though some of the site's features would require some expertise to expand the available functionality of either of these two solutions) or
   2. approaching a reputable firm to build the site from scratch or
   3. finding a freelance programmer to build the site from scratch.
   4. Obvious concerns with finding someone to carry out the work is whether or not they are capable of completing the work - I am not qualified to assess potential programmers' qualifications.
   5. How/where can I find someone to program the site for me (I am based in Melbourne, Australia)?
There are a large number of other questions going through my head but the above are the major concerns.

Any kind of pointers would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks

( 3 comments | 2 points | on HN )
Re:Ask YC: how to go about setting up my own online store by qhoxie on Monday July 28, 2008 @12:01AM (#258706)
It can be costly but there are placement agencies that can help determine a developer's qualifications. That is a route to consider.

If the store is not terribly specialized, there are plenty of solidly built solutions that you should consider before a custom build. Using something like Shopify (http://shopify.com) makes things very easy.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask YC: how to go about setting up my own online store by ulfstein on Monday July 28, 2008 @02:40AM (#258845)
Hi,

no, the shop isn't massively specialized but I think it would be too much to comfortably take on with Shopify (where I am currently setting up another store).

With regard to placement agencies, are you able to point me in the direction of any such agencies?

Thanks very much.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask YC: how to go about setting up my own online store by qhoxie on Monday July 28, 2008 @11:01PM (#259969)
http://www.mirrorplacement.com/ - They do rails placement only, but if that is your route...
[ Parent | on HN ]