eCommerce Tycoon

**iammarcus** · 12-18-2007, 01:20 PM

Hi my names marcus,

i am working on a shopping cart that has both end functionality, a admin and a user side. admin obviously can log in, add things to the cart , prices, info, picture, and remove also. Thats going great, ive got that done.

HERE IT IS on user side, its non login so no customer id, more of a session. they can add to their shopcart when they are still on the site. but if they leave i want it to delete their cart from the database.

MY QUESTION: should i even add their info to database? and if i do once theyre done viewing and shoping how would i delete it from the database? or should i use a php session not add their info to database at all, and when they leave just end the session and then their info is gone? correct me if i am wrong about php session?

Please leave any comments

Thanks Alot Marcus

**chrishirst** · 12-19-2007, 06:07 AM

more of a business decision than a coding one (thread moved)

You should give both options;

Not having to provide details helps to encourage impulse buyers to make a purchase, and if existing buyers think they could purchase more items in the future, giving them a way to store their details (minus credit card info) so it can be pre-populated on their next visit can be a decider.

You also get a marketing "in", as getting them to "join" means you can ask if they want to receive the newsletter / specials offers etc.