Hi, I'd appreciate any tips on the best ecommerce platforms around just now.

I have an existing retail website, about 400 odd items but will be increasing to a couple of thousand. I want to keep the design of the site (created bespoke a few years back) but otherwise, switch over to as feature rich a platform as possible (belt and braces approach).

I have already had a few comments on another post, for which I thank all who responded. I had been leaning towards Actinic or Erol but having used their trials, find them a bit too difficult and cumbersome to use. Moreover I've not seen that many good looking sites created using them.

Volusion was another option but as well as the dodgy customer service I've heard about, the hosting (albeit Rackspace) would be in the US, and my site is solely intended for UK/Ireland customers, so has to do well on Google UK listings. Also as it's American I'm a bit concerned that it won't necessarily incorporate all the various accessibility / security standards that we have to comply with over here.

A couple of people suggested Magento - I'll admit this is one of my preferred choices. Problems I have with it are the lack of SEF URLs and again, the fact that it's not actually UK based. Also as it's OS software, I feel (perhaps being paranoid?) a bit concerned that others could easily infiltrate weaknesses given that bugs are likely to be posted on their forum (speaking of which, there seems to be a LOT of activity on their forum ie several people with tech problems each day; again this seems a bit disconcerting).

One question I do have if any of you can answer, is whether site owners using software like Magento can retrieve the site and all modifications via the live version or a general backup on the hosting - ie doesn't the fact that it's software on your computer leave you vulnerable to something happening to that hardware?

More generally, I'd appreciate any thoughts on which way to go. Ideally I'd go with an on-demand service rather than the downloadable software; however other than ekm (which I'm not overly impressed with) I can't really find any UK ones that seem to stick out as having a decent track record.

Thanks in advance!

Frances

Dear Frances,

I would stear clear of Atinic  - seen too many people have problems with the way it works.

We are a Magento partner based in the UK, with our own hosting solution, so we could offer you a UK based Magento solution if you are interested.  Taken you existing design and moving to Magento shoudl be possible - but would need to see the existing site in order to confirm.  Magento does have search engine friendly URLs and a very active release schdule, with bugs and issues being addressed quickly.

In answer to your question you can backup any install of Magento to gaurd against disaster.

I would also have a look at the e-Consultancy Ecommerce Buyers Guide if you haven't already!

Hope this helps,

Mark

www.gpmd.co.uk

Frances,

In regards to the Magento bugs, all the major issues have been addressed (in particular the speed) and there are regular resleases (currently on 1.1.6 released on the 17th September).

The heavy reliance on javascript does cause a problem with accessiblity and some issues with standards compliance, Whether this is a problem or not depends on your reasons for wanting to be standards compliant.   And the use of javascript does provide some advantages in terms of usability.

These issues could be addressed when developing a bespoke theme... and with the features that Magento offers out the box the positives out way the negatives (in my view) - there will be draw backs with any system you choose.

Budget wise it might be possible - would need to see the design of the site - however it would be at the high end...

I would be happy to discuss your concerns if you wish...

Thanks

Mark

www.gpmd.co.uk

Frances,

I agree that accessibility should be a given but unfortunately it is still an issue for a large number of websites.

In Magento's case the issue is with the themes (the frontend) not the the code.  The issue is that the checkout doesn't work without JavaScript, which is likely to casue a probelm for screen readers.  It would not be a problem for Search Engine Optimisation because all the content of the site is properly accessible.

As I said before the problem could be fixed with a custom theme, but this would require a lot of work.  If Magento release a theme that does not rely on JavaScript this would solve the problem - it is on the roadmap just no timescale as yet.

The legal issue is a grey area as the Act states you have to make a reasonable effort (see the rnib website), but does not say what reasonalbe is... it is of course best practice to be accessible.

Having looked at your design I suggest that a few tweaks would be advantageous so that you could make use of any features offered by what ever system you end up using.  In Magento's case an example would be layered navigation.

I hope this is of some help!

All the best,

Mark

www.gpmd.co.uk

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