Selecting Public Shopping Carts? or Use Custom Designed by Designer?

Business
1

Hello I posted a question a month ago regarding Custom Made Shopping Carts.

I didn’t know there were hundreds of Shopping Carts available to the public. I thought all Shopping Cart functions were almost standard, such as:

Checking Order Status,

Viewing Order History,

Wishlist,

SEO,

Shipping Calculations

Auto Order Confirmation E-Mail after purchase.

Checking Tracking Number

Affiliates

Coupon, Rewards etc.

Customers Also Bought or Related Products features listed while browsing items

Live Chat

Etc.

I signed the contract, AFTER I had originally explained I wanted these Bells and Whistles, now I am told that some of the features will NOT be available, such as Wishlist, and Checking the Tracking from the site and Affiliates. Aren’t these basic features?!? I opted to use another Shopping Cart but he said it could not be done.

I then ran into this Forum, and found out I had the option to select my own particular Shopping Cart- From www(dot)shopping-cart-reviews (dot) com, with all the features I wanted, reading positive reviews, the ease of use, etc. I was very ignorant on the subject prior to signing…

I paid a decent amount for this website - $4,000+ , with NO intense graphic designing, only SEO, Template design, and Shopping Cart. I sort of expected all these Bells and Whistles to be standard. Now I’m sort of stuck to using HIS Custom Created Shopping Cart.

What are my options to getting the functions that I want / need? Is it normal for Web Designers to force using their Custom Created Carts? Or should I have had the option to choose one from the Open Source Top Shopping Carts?? I would like to know if I was taken for a ride.

If I do not like the Shopping Cart this Programmer installed, How difficult would it be to change Shopping Carts in the future once my Template Design and site is up and running?

Thanks in advance for your input.

2

If you’re locked into your current cart that’s custom programmed and it doesn’t have the features you need, hiring a programmer to add those features might cost more than just scrapping it and starting over. Or the designer may have encrypted the software making it impossible to even see the source code.

It’s not all the designer’s fault… you should have known which e-commerce system they were using and which features you’d need before signing the contract with them or paying them any money. You can’t force them to use another system now after they’ve already developed your site.

I know you’re in a pretty tough predicament but unfortunately I don’t think there’s an easy (or inexpensive) way to fix it.

One thing you might consider is hiring someone to integrate the design they made into another commercial shopping cart system.

Check out some of these carts, they all have templating systems and could probably be integrated with the design you have:

3

Cheers Beley for the swift reply.

Well Honestly, He has taken 2 and a half months, and I’ve only seen JPEG’s. He has not even started the Coding system I believe.

He has collected my initial deposit so far, $2,000.

However a true expert working on Photoshop would’ve been able to produce those JPEGs in a matter of 8 hours TOPS.

I should have the right to receive my money back, he can bill me for the 8 hours of photoshopping. I’ll review my contract.

This has been a terrible experience.

I just don’t understand why he forces me to use HIS shopping cart when he knew the features I wanted / needed.

4

In all honesty because you didn’t specify the exact features you wanted in the contract, they are added extras at cost. Talk to the designer and find out how much the extras will cost. If the price bursts your budget it may be worthwhile considering taking a loss on your deposit and starting afresh.

I can’t speak for other designers but I usually offer 2 or 3 carts systems which all meet the needs of the customer, then the customer can make an informed decision.

Considering your budget you’ve got a wide chouice of carts to choose from, don’t balk at commercial carts either, spending a few hundred on a good system can save you in the long run. The software is an investment in your business so get the best you can afford.

2 months without progress is not good reading, unless you didn’t agree when he would start on your site.

Usually not too difficult with off the shelf carts because they generally have decent data import/export features. As it’s a custom cart there’s no way of knowing. Your template would be the easiest bit to transfer.

5

I did specify the features I wanted, I have a check list that I brought over to his office, he just nodded saying yes he can do all the mentioned features.

In the contract it only mentions “Shopping Cart” - Price $600. Doesn’t mention the features of what the shopping cart entails. So I took his word for it when I said " I want/need these features " Isn’t that a bit expensive for this shopping cart? with the lack of features that I need? OSCommerce is free and has all the functions.

I opted to use a commercial shopping cart right after I signed the contract, but prior to him starting any work. He told me his cart would have better intergration with SEO and such. Which is a HUGE concern for me. So I just said accepted it. Like I said, I didn’t know there were hundreds of shopping carts available. I thought a shopping cart was, a shopping cart, That’s all. My mistake.

I can’t speak for other designers but I usually offer 2 or 3 carts systems which all meet the needs of the customer, then the customer can make an informed decision.

Would’ve been nice to receive some options. But the only option I had was his shopping cart.

Considering your budget you’ve got a wide chouice of carts to choose from, don’t balk at commercial carts either, spending a few hundred on a good system can save you in the long run. The software is an investment in your business so get the best you can afford.

Absolutely Agreed, but I don’t want his own private cart where I would need to “ask” for features and pay thousands dollars to implement, rather than a commercialized cart where I’m sure there are other businesses who share the same interest as mine, and would more likely have or implement the feature that I need.

2 months without progress is not good reading, unless you didn’t agree when he would start on your site.

Oh we agreed. The date was 6-8weeks to finish. I don’t even think he’s half way. I havn’t received a demo. Nothing.

Usually not too difficult with off the shelf carts because they generally have decent data import/export features. As it’s a custom cart there’s no way of knowing. Your template would be the easiest bit to transfer.

Ok well that’s good news then.

6

Unfortunately I hear this happen all too often. Cost aside, if you were specific with him from the get go then these items should have been noted in the original contract.

Every client I work with is given a detailed list of the basics features that are included with my base price web design package…then are offered the “options” that are available and the cost to include those…when these are checked off they get added to the contract.

A good shopping cart system should be able to do ANYTHING you need it to…I only use Zen Cart for my clients…and it can be programmed to do anything a client wants…I do recommend they explore options though with other carts…

I think your designer is clearly doing you a disservice…this is YOUR site not his…I bend over backwards to accommodate my clients - I do not tell them what they have to have or ever force anything on them…

A web designer should be an ongoing relationship, if you feel this person doesn’t have your best interest at heart you may want to reconsider the relationship…

I am sorry you are going through this…I hate hearing these things but it seems all too common!

7

Jill,

Thank you, I agree with you. This is why now I am torn between chucking the $2000 deposit or take it to court. I was never given any options, sure I may have been nieve to sign the contract abruptly, but I wasn’t educated enough on the subject. He hasn’t done much to accomodate me nor educate me. I was only given the option to take it or leave it. As I was explaining to my partners, Web Developers is an on going relationship, just as you mentioned. The relationship between us is extremely sour now. Why bother spending anymore money or time with them, especially when I will need to depend on them for any future conflicts with programming… Sigh. Lesson learned.

8

If you have a contract that has dates of completion noted for the various portions of the project - and he has done nothing yet, then I would definitely pursue legal action to get your money back.

Have you even see a jpeg of a design proof or anything yet?

That is too much money to walk away from and hand over to someone who has not done anything…

I wish you luck in finding a new “partner”…its not easy that is for sure. Half of my existing clients have come from similar situations and it is very sad for our industry!

Would love to hear how this turns out for you…sometimes a simple letter from an attorney is enough to get them to send the $$ back…

9

Jill,

Yes he has sent me JPEGs, but he has not sent me a demo of the progress or what the site can do. It takes HOURS for the “designer” (a very very young man who works in the company, he is a nice guy, but lacks any experience, none) to create a simple JPEG on photoshop. The ones he sent me looked, I hate to say this but, horrible. I had to basically design the entire thing myself. This is obviously because it is designed by a person who has NO hands on experience in web designing and minimal experience in photoshop. This inexperienced gentleman is obviously not the person who does the coding for the site, I learned all this while I would engage in conversations with him while working together designing the site, in which he admitted to having no experience.

I’m told In order for them to move forward, I need to ‘sign off’ on the pages designed. Which makes sense, I understand that. But how can one ‘sign off’ on a Page, when the design looks horrible? You can’t. No one will sign away and accept poor work or work not up to par. It’s not fair for me, nor fair to be the guinnea pig on testing this novice “designer’s” capabilities. He is obviously new, lacks any experience in web designing, BUT he is a very nice guy. Which makes me feel worse, because it is not his fault. The boss should’ve handed this down to someone with real experience. Especially when he saw how long this process is taking and how upset I was getting.

10

Wow sounds like a total disaster! Don’t sign off on anything you are not happy with…and dont worry about making someone feel bad…this is YOU business…you need it YOUR way and that is what you should be paying for…

Sounds like you need to start researching new companies…

11

Hello,

I’m also very sorry to hear about your experience. My advice is to be strict with the company and ask for a full refund, because a reputation should be more expensive for a serious developer. There are many firms which offer such services, so it’s not worth wasting your time with such a terrible services.

By the way, how did you find the company - is it some network like elance/guru.com? As far as I know, they have some policies regarding poorly made projects. It would be worth to know, in any case.

Please, keep us informed about the progress.

12

Thank you for your concern,

No, it is a local web developer. Out of respect, I shouldn’t post the name of the company. I would feel guilty, and would much rather just walk away without feeling resentful or spiteful. It’s not in my nature, he says as he punches a hole through his wall. :stuck_out_tongue:

I chose this local web developer because their site is the best ranked in my city (by a lot). Which made me feel more confident on his SEO skills. If you can’t market your own business, how can you market someone elses? Right? Which I believe SEO is the most important when dealing with increasing sales. Seems obvious to me.

I chose a local web developer because I wanted to feel more secure in dealing with a company locally, where I can clearly see who I’m dealing with, show up at any time, and meet up to make changes on designs , graphics, etc. Was it a wise decision? Or does it not make a difference on picking a local developer?
What do you guys recommend? Local “good” developer? Or a “good” “trusty” developer from anywhere? If I ask, Does it a make a difference? My opinion, based on my 1 time experience, Not really. But I will say, I’m glad I had the opportunity too see who I’m dealing with. I was able to notice a young boy working on my project through photoshop where I can clearly see he has no prior experience. Which makes it easier to dispute.

Like I said, I’ve never done anything like this before, so I went with my gut instinct and felt a local developer was more appropriate at the time, so let’s hear what you guys think.

Thanks again.

13

I’d say using a local developer is always a smart move for the reasons you’ve mentioned, however you’ve found that the “best ranked” one is not what it seemed to be - by the way, simply being top ranking dog has no relevance to quality for any site!

From what you’ve told us it would seem that this business relationship isn’t going to work unless they can pull something out the hat at the last moment, which I doubt.

I suggest spreading your wings a bit further afield, there must be a ton of good developers within reasonable travelling distance from your base.

14

Well you could have bought a plug and play shopping cart solution for a fraction of the cost that fulfills most of your demands.