I've just gotten PayQuake for a merchant account. Note: I am a total newbie! We don't even have a website yet. But, I am very eager to get one ASAP. Here's the question: can I expect any assistance with setting up our merchant account, from which ever web host we select? At this point I'm fairly sure that we'll be using Miva Merchant for our shopping cart. Of the web hosts I'm considering, most include Miva Merchant in their ecommerce hosting packages. It appears to be widely accepted, and from what I've read, pretty user friendly esp. for "beginners". Would Miva provide any assistance in setting up our account? Would this cost extra $?, or should we expect their support?

We aren't in a position to pay a web design company to do this for us. It's my hope that I can "do it myself" using a hosting company's web design software. From what I've read, this is possible. Perhaps after we have a site up and running, we could employ a design firm to improve or redesign a site for us.

Sorry for the lengthy post, but I wanted to convey my situation accurately!

can I expect any assistance with setting up our merchant account, from which ever web host we select?
You said you already got a merchant account right?

But to answer you question - it depends on what hosting company. Some will help you to the fullest extent & some will just get you in contact with a CC processor.

As far as Miva helping you, I doubt it. I used them once - a long time ago - but they did not provide any extra help.

What are you selling? how many products? If you have already gotten a merchant account, now you need to act quickly. Why? Because you are paying for the account - unless you signed up for the pay for play.

Thanks Corey! 1st, we sell "fine" jewelry and silverware. we also do appraisals for the same, but for obvious reasons, we won't include that part of our business for the web site - other than to promote it for our "local market". 2nd, we signed up for "Pay for Play" since we didn't want to start paying a monthly fee...and no website in place yet. However, we'll be using it "some" for our local sales. I guess I need a host that is willing and able to provide alot of hand holding, at least in the beginning. Any suggestions???

I would see maybe what Payquake says as far as web hosting. Are you thinking you might have problems integrating Payquake?

Actually, several of the hosts I've been considering show Payquake as an affiliate. also, I know that Payquake and the gateway (authorize.net) are compatible with Miva. But, I've gotten the impression that I'll be on my own as far as the set-up goes. That is to say, I'll have to figure it out for myself. This might not be too difficult...or with my very limited knowledge, impossible. Again, I have no knowledge of web design, Java,etc. I'm just a self-taught, Windows-Office-PC user.

Well usually the implementation of the gateway is fairly simple. You can use their Simple method. I have walked a few people over that via e-mail - if they can do it - you should be able to :) She did not understand basic HTML. But usually with Miva, it should walk you thru everything, just adding your account number plus a few other options, everything should actually just be built in. Call a few of the hosting companies & see what they say. I do not want to say they won't help you because I have called a few in the past for others & was surprised at how helpful they are. Most are just there to provide tech support on their system, but some of the smaller companies are usually a little better at helping.

Once again, I've found this site and the members, to be so helpful. I hope in time that I too might be able to contribute to the helping side of the equation. For now, I am just "sponging" up as much as I can. Thanks again!

No problem. I wished that I could remember the other hosting company that I called once for another member on another forum, but I cannot. I would like to think that it is just as simple as entering a few digits.

I also found this: http://www.miva.com/docs/merchant/howto41/MM1023.pdf - I have not read it but it should also lead you into the right direction.