First Time E-Commerce Development

Forgive me if I have missed the right forum for this question. I couldn't find a particularly better option. Our company is building e-commerce sites for the first time. We don't have an in-house database person at this point, and we have to figure out how to incorporate e-commerce functionality into our designs. We understand vendors like Network Solution provide a cookie-cutter type solution, but we don't know how much control we have with that option, design-wise. Another vendor was asking for 6 weeks to build one site with catches like pushing their own hosting service and charging extra for their possible server glitches down the road. We are considering hiring a consultant as well, but for commercial services out there, what options would we have? Feedbacks would be appreciated.

there are a few options available for you.

1. do it yourself with php and mysql
2. use a programme already designed for the purpose (oscommerce,zencart,etc) there are many free solutions available.

you can customise all of the above the way you want them and most have good support forums.

hope this helps.

Oh god no, I'm a good PHP Developer but e-commerce is best left to using a pre-made CMS.

But sir, if you are using CMS, it's more on the design, but less on the functionality as an E-commerce website right?

If by that you mean that you can concentrate on the site's design more than it's functionality if you use a CMS then yes.
Otherwise I misunderstood your question.

So Sir, why don't you consider using php/mysql in building an e-commerce website? Despite the fact that functionality must consider first than the design. Any valuable reason...

If you are just talking about CMS, that will be easy to learn and do task! But in "e-commerce functionality" wise, you must have a lot of experience with that things!

P/S: Alex, since when you become Sir? LOL

If I setup an e-commerce site myself I will use PHP and MySQL but I won't develop the entire e-commerce CMS by myself, I'd use a pre-made e-commerce CMS.

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Sir, is very formal but you can call me it if you wish. Makes me feel important

Quote from wikipedia:
Right...!