HONEST HELP, PLEASE! I want to create my own site w/o being taken for a ride

[Alskling]

For months now, I've been considering creating my own e-commerce site, but I'm terrified of all the hype, BS, crapola and general over-inflated promises I get from web host providers and every other snake-oil salesman out there. Trouble is, I'm a cyber-retard and easy prey. So rather than do something I might regret, I've done nothing and let eBay vampires suck blood out of me every month.
What is the EASIEST, CHEAPEST, most RELIABLE way FOR ME to put a site together using trusted, responsible vendors and get SEO? If you have something to sell, don't bother responding. I want objective, honest, straight-forward, simple, down-to-earth responses.
Thanks.

[DecorativeDishes]

Coming from eBay as I did you might like Shoppal. I sent you a PM. Good luck! Kim

[regic]

Trouble is, I'm a cyber-retard and easy prey.

How much of a cyber-retard are you?  ;D

If your knowledge of HTML, etc is very limited, or if time is a factor, you should probably go with a hosted solution like ShopPalStores, Presto Store, Volusion, or MonsterCommerce.

If you're willing to learn than a website using a free opensource cart like ZenCart or osCommerce would be better and much cheaper in the long run.

You'll have to pay for hosting and a domain name when you open a site but there are enough free resources available that you can build a site without spending a cent on "SEO Experts" (most of which aren't), Designers, etc.

[Alskling]

I know very little HTML, and I don't really want to know. This is not to say I couldn't learn, but I simply don't have time -- I work 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. most days as it is, just to keep what I have going. What are Shopalstores and all that stuff? Are they malls or something?

[regic]

What are Shopalstores and all that stuff?

They're easy to setup webstores/websites that come with all the shopping cart features you need, a selection of premade templates, etc.  They're not part of a mall.  You can be open for business within a couple of days compared to a month(s) if you went the web host/osCommerce route and installed your own cart.

I know very little HTML, and I don't really want to know. This is not to say I couldn't learn, but I simply don't have time

Hosted then.  The hosted carts aren't much harder to use than an eBay Store.  Look over the demos at their sites and the features they offer.  ShopPal and PrestoStore are the cheapest.  Volusion, 3DCart, Make-A-Store and MonsterCommerce have the most features

ShopPal has 3 plans $14.99 (500 items), $29.99 (2000 items), $49.99 (5000 items).  Cranky Hippy and Decorative Dishes use them.
http://www.shoppal.com/

PrestoStore $29.95 (unlimited items) is used by myfavorites4u.
http://www.prestostore.com/

MonsterCommerce $49 (300 items) and $99 (60,000 items) is used by Maggie
http://www.monstercommerce.com

Volusion plans from $57-$199 ($57 is 100 items, $99 is 1000, $199 is unlimited) is used by SneakyMagenta
http://www.volusion.com

3DCart $66 (7,000 items), $86 (9,000), $99 (15,000) is used by Angel.
http://www.3dcart.com/

ValleyGirl uses Make-A-Store.  It has the most features but is more expensive.  Plans range from $70-$775 not including add-ons and setup costs.
http://www.make-a-store.com/

ShopPal and Make-A-Store offer some integration with eBay checkout, listing items to eBay, etc.

[xppman]

waaaaaaaaaaaa another one falls prey of the HTML fear. :'(
Just kidding.  ;D

Yea like regic says above.... that may be the way to go for you.

I've never used any of the pre made things (till using oscmax)
Best bet is to find a solution that does NOT put you in their "mall"
or charge you crazy fees each month and a commission on your sales to boot.IMO

OK you guys who use these other pay services / programs chime in
here and let us know the details please.

Is there a program this person can buy or rent that will let her get it up fast and keep it going without paying high fees every month or being stuck at a server of "their" choosing charging her high rent as well?

[xppman]

Oh looks like regic has it all covered. Never mind.  :

[Alskling]

What do people here feel about just putting a site together that shows my items but links to my HiBidder or eBay store for the purchase? Is there any value in that, or would I be wasting my time?

[regic]

[quote author=Alskling link=topic=5485.msg27878#msg27878 date=1161035102]
What do people here feel about just putting a site together that shows my items but links to my HiBidder or eBay store for the purchase? Is there any value in that, or would I be wasting my time?
[/quote]

Wasting your time and money.  There is no final value fee or listing fee on your own site .  You should use your eBay and HiBidder stores as customer acquisition tools for your website.

EDIT: article by eBay's former #1 seller GlacierBayDVD (TT member rsmythe) on using eBay for customer acquisition for your website
http://community.tuliptools.com/index.ph...442.0.html

[Alskling]

Sorry, I looked at Shopal, not Shoppal. Anyway, I didn't see anything about registering a domain name. Would I have to do that somewhere else? What about SEO? What does Shoppal do that hasn't been done already by having the Google store using the integrator on my eBay listings? I'm so confused.