For the past several years I've had an eBay store (selling my handmade jewelry) and am so tired of their fees I want to set up my own ecommerce website. I have a domain already that 'directs' my traffic to my store.

So far, I'm thinking of going with BlueHost. I have 'zero' knowledge in creating a website altho I do know a little HTML. I have to admit I'm a little apprehensive about doing this because I don't know all the language. I'm ready, willing and able to learn how to do this but I'm sure I'll need help from these forums.

My main questions are:

1. Are most webhosts able to use/transfer my original domain name?

2. Once I open an account with an ecommerce site, will it be hard to immediately put something on my homepage that will direct my traffic back to my eBay store while I work on my website?

3. Do most webhosts have templates/software to help you get going?

4. Do I need an SSL certificate? Right now I use PayPal but would also like to accept credit cards. I have a ProPay account.

Thanks in advance.

A~

You should in anyway look for a host with a good control panel like CPanel is one of those, they will allow you to install many of the common software platforms like OSCommerce, Joomla, WordPress etc. with just a few clicks and you don't need any expirience in html or programming.

You might consider an option like Amazon's Webstore: http://webstore.amazon.com

I know you are looking to do things yourself, but it sounds like you would have a lot to learn all at once. This might make life easier for you. Whether Amazon's fees are less than eBay, I don't know.

Right now I use PayPal but would also like to accept credit cards. I have a ProPay account.

Depending on your number of payments you receive, there is a good chance you will find doing business a little more affordable staying with paypal. To accepts credit cards directly, you will have to deal with PCI compliance and all of the complexities and expenses that come with it.

Thanks everyone.

I've been doing a lot of reading/research. I think I'll stick with PayPal for now, as suggested. It makes sense as I'm such a small business.

Think I'll take the plunge and have my domain transferred. Will have to figure out how to put a link on the site's homepage to direct traffic back to eBay while I construct.

Has anyone dealt with BlueHost? Are they a pretty easy-to-learn host? I'm not computer-illiterate...just never made my own website. That's the part that worries me...just a little.

You guys are great! Thanks for replying.

A~

Thanks everyone.

I've been doing a lot of reading/research. I think I'll stick with PayPal for now, as suggested. It makes sense as I'm such a small business.

Think I'll take the plunge and have my domain transferred. Will have to figure out how to put a link on the site's homepage to direct traffic back to eBay while I construct.

Has anyone dealt with BlueHost? Are they a pretty easy-to-learn host? I'm not computer-illiterate...just never made my own website. That's the part that worries me...just a little.

You guys are great! Thanks for replying.

A~

Good luck. Don't have any personal experience with Bluehost. I know the owner has been here for a few debates in the past and appears to have things together.

You are in for a ton of fun if you have never built your own web site before. Good luck.

Have you looked into hiring someone to help you with the site construction and for referencing purposes? This forum is great for those opportunities, by this forum I do mean the offers section though. Sites like www.guru.com are good for facilitating the social networking between those who are curious and the pro(s) as well.

I am not sure what your budget looks like though. Everyone who has said it will be a fun challenge to create your own site. They are right in that it will be right but it will be a lot to jump right into creating a "commercial" website. I didn't begin work on my first really public site until 3 or 4 projects into the community and languages. However these days the offered software within the control panels is amazing and extremely resourceful.

Zendzipr and Static...Just got on BlueHost and they're 1/2 off special is gone! Guess that made up my mind about doing a website right now unless I find another host.

My budget is low right now. My traffic isn't that high and sales aren't high. That's why I thought eBay would be a good deal. Not true. Fees are outrageous and I'm probably losing money as we speak.

I'll check out guru.com. Don't think I can afford to hire someone, altho I'll look into it. It's not a bad idea since I'm so new to this.

Back to the research...thanks guys...or gals. LOL

As for BlueHost, from our customers' experience it is reliable hosting service.

As for shopping cart, have you chosen one already? Most ready-to-use e-commerce packages support PayPal by default, thus there should not be problem for you with payments processing.

What about domain switching - you need to discuss the question with your hosting team, they should assist you with the question.

YOu cant beat the "secret link" at JUstHost, I use them and have been happy, they use fantastico and cPanel which has the bundled software people have been mentioning.

Posting a link to this is probably a bit borderline against the AUP of the forums, but nonetheless check this out.
http://www.justhost.com/secret-link
ITs cheap, I believe that will most likely fit your price range. Good Luck. Let all of us here know if you need anymore help with your project.

Thanks, Static. The price is definitely more in my price range. :) I'm going to go back and read more in depth. Thanks for the secret link. ;)

Do you find setting up the site reasonably easy? For a newbie, I mean. I'm not sure if I can put a link to my ebay store here for you to look at? Would like to let you guys know just how much I do know about HTML, etc. I know the basics...adding pics, changing text, linking, making buttons and table, etc. (I 'think' I know what CSS is but not sure why it's added to HTML code.??) I'd love to hear someone say, "If you can do that...you can do your own website." LOL

Thanks again.

Static....

Dreamweaver, RVSitebuilder, Mambo, Frontpage, Site Reptil, CPanel......Whew! Which software do you use to build your site, or would you recommend? Again, need a pretty simple and self-explanatory program.

thanks,

A~