OsCommerce or Zen-Cart and other questions

I want to get into e-commerce. I plan on purchasing either an OsCommerce or a Zen-Cart template and using one of these services but I don't know which one to choose.

My number one priority is ease of use since I have zero background in any of this. The next best thing would be whichever service comes with the most easy-to-understand for a novice instruction manual, written in English, not computer-ese. I am willing to learn, as long as the instruction is not way over my head and written for folks with website development degrees.

One more question I have is what this means (it is required for use of the template): Hosting with PHP4x and MySQL4x; Apache only (on Unix/Freebsd/Linux/Windows); runs on most server specific configurations ranging from dedicated servers to shared servers that utilize different PHP configurations such as register_globals (should be ON) and safe_mode restrictions I have no clue what they're talking about and I hope someone can translate that to English please. The hosting has nothing to do with my PC, right - it means an online service I choose to host the site? What is MySQL4x and what is Apache? And what about server? Is that something on my end or my hosting service's end?

Thanks a lot for the help!

For ease of use you'll probably find OSC better than Zen although neither one would be my choice. Look into Cube Cart as well.

As to your second question, both of these carts have to run on an Apache server with a SQL database on a server that supports PHP coding. It will also run on a Windows server so you would be able to host the carts from your PC if you wanted to. Most shared or dedicated hosts support these carts and some even have programs such as Fantastico which will allow you to install them quite easily right from the server. I suggest you install them this way as all you have to do is answer a few simple questions and press a button and it will automatically install with default skins. Do this before buying a template so you can play with them. Since they are both free and have support forums, you can determine which one suites your needs before spending a dime.

zen is based on oscommerce....so oscommerce might be easier because there are less features and less to learn, but then you also have less features.

Zen just came our with a new manual to help users learn about all of the features.
http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=16

If you want to buy a template templatemonster.com and algozone.com are great places to try. we have see many memebers use their template services.

"I have zero background in any of this"
I would hire a programmer for the installation process, experienced one would do this in couple of hours.
Note: be careful to hire someone you can trust, otherwise he can insert harmful code

We've used both osCommerce and Zen Cart for client sites. In my humble opinion, Zen Cart is a great choice for small businesses -- if it already has every feature you think you'll need as your e-commerce site grows (and if you can find a designer or template* that's compatible with the latest version of Zen Cart).

There is only one manual available for Zen Cart (visit zencart.com for more information) -- and it's a must have. Zen Cart's admin area is easier on the eyes than osC's, with more bells and whistles out-of-the-box -- but there's nothing Zen-like about its counter-intuitive admin navigational structure. Without this guidebook (or help from Zen Cart's website), you can spend hours fishing around the admin area to configure features you *know* are there. Somewhere.

If you're planning to purchase a pre-fab website layout, there are many more osCommerce commercial-qualtity templates available than there currently are for Zen Cart (1.3.7). That said, Zen Cart comes pre-installed with most of the features -- gift voucher capabilities, WYSIWYG content management, PayPal Express Checkout, multiple product images, group pricing, online "showroom" and e-commerce catalog features, optional review system that can be easily turned on/off, header tags control (for browser title bars and keywords), and lot of other little trimmings you may want -- whereas you'll likely have to pay someone to install these if you were to go with osC.

Both Zen Cart and osC have a QuickBooks Import contribution/mod that must be installed by hand, both have an order editor mod you'll also want installed (so that you can update customer information and change orders as needed); cross-sell/upsell mods are also available, but not pre-installed, with both carts.

If the ability for customers to purchase without having to create an account is an absolute must, there's an osC contribution for that -- but not for Zen Cart yet. Same goes for a Wishlist feature. The default template that comes with either cart is "uglier than a mud fence," as my Southern grandmother would say. So purchasing a commercial template or, better yet, paying an experienced designer to create a unique, branded look for your site is a must.

Bottom line: I'd recommend Zen Cart for smaller businesses, if you've looked at the features and it already has everything you must have. For larger enterprises with the budget to pay for infinite site add-ons, I'd go with osCommerce because there are hundreds (if not thousands) of contributions/mods available so there's no need to pay someone to re-invent the wheel when you need additional capabilities.

As for hosting, most inexpensive service levels will come with everything you need (e.g. PHP with MySQL) to run osC or Zen Cart -- it doesn't matter if you use Windows or Mac on your computer.

Choosing the right cart is daunting, to say the least. Hope this helps.

Scott

*Caveat emptor: All commercially-available templates for osCommerce or Zen Cart are not necessarily compatible as-is with third-party modifications or "contributions," so make sure you find a template vendor who will help you sort out the occasional template glitch that may arise from any site add-ons you choose.

We Just Opened our store ,after testing many carts we ended up zencart,best overall options.but with all free or opensource ,consant changes and updates,idid not have aclue 6 mo. ago about website design. just read and listen close and you will find the right one for you ,zencart forums are great ,

All of the advice you have received is correct and great. Just to clarify one thing though: if you are that new to the "system", be sure to hire someone to do the programming for you - at least until you are comfortable with some of it on your own. This would include, but not limited to, installing the shopping cart, setup, template design, database management, etc.

Be careful when choosing a programmer. Anyone can say they are web programmers but have little experience in actually getting the job done correctly the first time.

Look hard at hosting companies that give you access to all your programming needs as well as the hosting. Many have packages that could suit your needs for now, but be sure to look at growth opportunities also before choosing.

I hope this helps