Hi everyone,

I'm looking to start a small online music store.
I would like to know what would be the best way to go about it?

I don't really want to create a different html page for each artist/cd etc.
I believe it can be done using databases but don't know how to do it.
Don't even know where to start...

I'm pretty good with the html required but it's the backend I'm going to struggle with...

The store/site is going to be aimed at a small niche genre of music so it won't be a huge site.
I'm just after some advice as to how best to go about creating this site.

Any assistance would be very much appreciated...thanks in advance...

i would suggest that you use a content management system that has a built in ecommerce module, or atleast an add on ofr one, or you could always just look up ecommerce software on google, there are lots of free ones, that allow you to set up paid downloads for files or any other thing that you want, well, good luck.

i'd suggest getting some more experence and credits be for
you go about something big like that. You must also be
aware of the legal issues, as you cant just go and sell other
peoples stuff. You will also have to fill out a lot of stuff.

cheers

Thanks for your input guys...

I should explain a bit more about what I'm after.
The way I'm setting up my store I won't have to worry about the legal stuff or a checkout system, ecmommerce etc...

What I'm after is how to setup the actual website.
Is the best way to create a mySQL database and use Perl to make the site dymanic?
If so, does anyone have any information on how best to do this?
I don't want to have to create a separate html file for each artist/album/dvd etc...This way just seems so inefficient...

Thanks again...

I think the best option for you could be use a predesigned module, like OsCommerce, which is free. I haven't used it but I'm sure that someone here has.

What do you mean that you don't have to worry about legal stuff? If it's a store, someone will have to pays, isn't it? Or the songs will be for free?

as narutorasengan17 suggested you could use a content management system.
don't know any free ones but for 25$ you can get EZYPal Shopping Cart Software. looks really cool and has a lot of features here's the link http://www.ezypal.com/ where you can test this. press the demo button and you can login and see almost all the features. But try some free ones first maybe they are as good as this or you don't need all the features that this one has.

As far as setup goes i don't know but usually these scripts have a help file in them.
But if it's anything like wordpress or other php scrips out there I think you'll just have to point to your mySQL database and insert the login data for your mySQL user in the config.php (or a variation of this name), if it is php, and you are set. make a folder for this first in your public_html folder.

Hope i helped.

This post has been edited by Ousk: Mar 31 2008, 11:42 PM