Not sure if this is the right category - ecommerce ?'s

A friend of mine is thinking about building an e-commerce site and I didn't know where to tell him to start looking for info on how to do it...

Is there a particular tutorial or a better way than another to do or is there a specific type of host that you have to use?

Can the product info be stored in a regular access database and use a coldfusion site or is it better with mysql and php or access and asp or is there something else completely?

I'm looking for just basic information that I can pass on - but I would greatly appreciate as many opinions as possible because I think he said the catalog contains more than 7,000 items.

Thanks for your time and remember - your opinion counts! :D

>>>really really really hopes her friend doesn't want her to help him build this site cuz then CF will never get any rest! *chuckles* :p <<<

I'd recommend using either ASP or PHP instead of ColdFusion since it will be cheaper and easier to get hosting reducing overhead.

You can use whatever database you'd like, but I'd recommend either MySQL or MsSQL. You might want to go the MySQL route since its free and you could install it then on a local development system.

You don't need anything special per-se at most a SSL certificate for the website. As far as processing credit cards you have several options, you can use a 3rd party company which would be the easiest. Most let you integrate them into your site pretty well. You can also use PayPal, you might want to look on their site for information they have really well written documentation on their site for using their services.

thanks OG :)

I've been thinking of looking into mysql (yet another language to learn >ugh< :p )

I think he's already decided on PayPal

Where do I learn more about SSL certificates? >>Edit: scratch that - just did a google and first on the list was verisign - that was easy enough :) <<

Thanks again - always so very helpful :)

I've been thinking of looking into mysql (yet another language to learn >ugh< :p )

Not too much it uses SQL just like any other database system.

thanks again - I'll pass this info along and let him decide how he's going to proceed :)