What would be the best solution for us?

My employer likes to e-commerce.. Having never done this before (besides a small paypal site) I like your oppinion:
I'm trying to find an affordable shopping cart, that can be completely re-designed (layout). Preferrable in a wysiwyg edit like DW for example.
This cart prob. is going to have an SQL database, but I have to connect this database with another SQL database so those 2 can synchronize (at least) 2 times a day with each other...
Further:
- clients should be able to register in the cart to save their information
- Like to have a gift certificate option in it
- Must be a secure checkout
- Must be able to have multiple options on a product and must have multiple steps in catagories.. Example: Brand (catagory) --> Style (sub-) --> collection (sub- sub-)

Also, what do you recommend for the credit card payments? Of cos needed for the shopping cart.
And (last one!) what about SSL? Do you recomment Verisign?

So far I ran into 2 carts that might work (I think): Uniwin and x-cart
Anyone any recommendations?

Thanks!

what products do you sell ? how much revenue you think you going to get ?

We sell area rugs (persian rugs etc..) not sure what revenue to exepect in this business.. I'm just the IT guy and have no idea about this product.

I think the tools you choose depends on how much revenue you expect to have, for example to take Verisign or others

Quote:

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Originally Posted by worldofrugs

Preferrable in a wysiwyg edit like DW for example.
This cart prob. is going to have an SQL database, but I have to connect this database with another SQL database so those 2 can synchronize (at least) 2 times a day with each other...

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Hm, mysql or MSSQL?

The only one that I can think of that will work with a WYSIWYG editor somewhat is Total E-Commerce. A shopping cart is usually written in a server side language so you might have a problem to one extent.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cometmall

I think the tools you choose depends on how much revenue you expect to have, for example to take Verisign or others

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Also, keep in mind that Verisign sells SSL certs - you can also get an SSL cert from Comodo at a cheaper price. Verisign also offers a few other things

Most carts will usually be capable of using an electronic payment gateway - i.e. LinkPoint, Authorize.net, Payflow, Cybersource, etc.

CandyPress is a fairly light cart that is easy to manage, along with Comersus. And a cart by metalinks is pretty easy but I don't think it has the gift cert. But if you are looking for a PHP solution, there are hundreds that are available.

Our company has been very happy with Volusion. Give them a call - their support people are very helpful.

Miva Merchant's database is not available in MySQL so you can perform custom coding to synchronize it w/ your company's SQL database.

You might want to checkout volusions shopping cart. It is the best one (off the top of my head) for what you are looking for.

Thanks all for your ideas and replies...
I'm very much leaning towards Uniwin, mostly because it's open source ASP, easy to modify and has great features..
For SSL, I think I will go with our hosting company Godaddy (yeah I know.. not my choice!)....
Only thing left I need your help a little with is the online CC payment process...
I'm not sure what to go for here... It of cos needs to accept all major CC's, but also needs to have the function I can process a card manually (via their site for example), in case a customer likes to make a phone order..
Any suggestions on this?
Thanks again all!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by worldofrugs

Thanks all for your ideas and replies...
I'm very much leaning towards Uniwin, mostly because it's open source ASP, easy to modify and has great features..
For SSL, I think I will go with our hosting company Godaddy (yeah I know.. not my choice!)....
Only thing left I need your help a little with is the online CC payment process...
I'm not sure what to go for here... It of cos needs to accept all major CC's, but also needs to have the function I can process a card manually (via their site for example), in case a customer likes to make a phone order..
Any suggestions on this?
Thanks again all!

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We currently use Verisign (owned by PayPal). It's expensive but it works well for us.

I like Zen Cart or CRE Loaded for free cart options. If you need a CMS, then Virtuemart is an interesting option as well....but if you like ASP then VPASP is a good cart to try.

Most of the gateways (LinkPoint, Payflow, Cybersource/Authorize.net, etc) will give you (the merchant) a virtual terminal to process credit cards as well via the gateway's website.