eCommerce Tycoon

**DodgerDodger** · 06-25-2010, 11:25 AM

Hi all,

I'm trying to help an older gentleman out, he has a small sandwich shop and his competition is hammering him due to their ability to take orders online. I know a little about web design but have to admit this will be a first for me.

I know that we will need some online shopping software, and I have searched and read about several. I'm finding that most are wayyyyyy more sophisticated than what we need ... or are they?

I could probably make a form that would work somewhat but we would still need a gateway ... I'm thinking that would be one plus for using SC software.

Basically it's going to be a case of ordering a sandwich - do you want it as is or do we start cutting elements. So if the sandwich has meat, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles ... what's the best way to set that up so that when they add it to the cart it's how they designed it. Can carts like CS or Zen do that?

Please - I would love to hear any advice or experiences that would help me plan this out. I honestly have no idea how to go about this in the easiest way for both the customer and staff.

Thanks so much!

**chrishirst** · 06-25-2010, 12:26 PM

Why would you need a payment gateway? That would only cut into the profit margin per sandwich. (transaction fee of 30c + 1.9% in the US for paypal)

It's just an ordering system that is required and the customer pays for the food on collection.

It's not really a huge problem, database of the basic sandwich menu plus a "build your own" ingredients list, then email the choices to the shop.

**gwheele1** · 03:17 PM

I am a programmer for an online ordering company that specializes in online ordering for restaurants. Trust me, you haven't even begun to scratch the surface of what you'll need to do to make online ordering work even if it's a very simple menu. I've spent three years coding and still have another year's worth of coding to do. For one thing, if he takes credit cards at all then the solution will have to be PCI compliant, even if he doesn't take credit cards online. I suggest finding a prebuilt solution, like ours. There are plenty of companies to choose from. Of course, I think ours is the best.

You can check out our website for details. You can resell it and integrate it into the website your building. You should check out our website or call our sales department for details. link drop removed

**lynxus** · 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwheele1

I am a programmer for an online ordering company that specializes in online ordering for restaurants. Trust me, you haven't even begun to scratch the surface of what you'll need to do to make online ordering work even if it's a very simple menu. I've spent three years coding and still have another year's worth of coding to do. For one thing, if he takes credit cards at all then the solution will have to be PCI compliant, even if he doesn't take credit cards online. I suggest finding a prebuilt solution, like ours. There are plenty of companies to choose from. Of course, I think ours is the best.

You can check out our website for details. You can resell it and integrate it into the website your building. You should check out our website or call our sales department for details. link drop removed

Ohhh no no no no,
You have evidently spent far too much time.

NO, you DONT! have to be PCI compliant. They would either take credit card on collection ( normal till process ) or via something like Paypal or Google Checkout.

PCI doesnt even come into play here. ( trust me, I run 3 datacentres all PCI compliant )

The shop owner isnt handling the card data, Paypal will or their normal till merchant will. THESE are the people who need to be PCI compliant in this case.

Anyway.

As chris said,
A simple web form generated from a database will probably do it.

User chooses what they want,
Form submits to a DB for the owner to look at or, e-mails him/her or both.

He gets the order, Starts processing it and the client picks it up .

12hrs work MAX.

If you were to incorporate paypal ( as chris said, Cutting into profits.. ) Then lets say 24 / 48 hrs with PPsandbox testing.

Without the need for paypal, Its a simple webform essentially. Maybe with some clever JS and a SQL db to get the menu details and prices.

-G

Edit: How can he of spent 3 years doing said code.!!!11 I mean, WOW thats some slow coding , or over complicating.
While its common knowledge that im not any kind of Ub3r programmer, I know my way round a complier and thats just silly.

**DodgerDodger** · 06-29-2010, 07:26 AM

Hi - thanks for the replies!

He tried the call in - takeout/delivery some time back and got burned on about 30% of the orders. This is a college town and there was a lot of either prank or forgetful calls. The delivery guy get there and there's no one there. His competition are all delivering so he's being forced to try it again but this time he want the money up front.

So would google check out or PayPal be cheaper/easier than a gateway through his bank?

Thanks again!

**chrishirst** · 06-29-2010, 08:16 AM

Google checkout fees are similar to Paypal, merchant accounts costs can be cheaper in some case, but there is usually a monthly fee and a possibly a setup fee.