Some initial advice needed please

[maxfox44]

Tweet

Hi Guys

I want to build a referral type site (ie not taking payments, handling goods or drop-shipping). I have a catalogue of about 400 items, spread over about 12 sections.

I like Word Press, but have also built a couple of sites in html/css before.

The products have been sent over in excel and apparently are subject to change quarterly or so.

Where would you start?

Apologies for the broad, open ended question.

[darrenb]

I used to make sites using html/css then moved over to wordpress as I found it much quicker and didn't need to bother with the site design side of things.

If I was you then I would use wordpress and you can then import the products from excel via CSV using one of the many wordpress plugins.

Just depends how you would get these onto a site with html. You may find it quicker if you have little prior knowledge of wordpress although it's fairly easy to pick up and learn, especially if you already know html and can pick up php, then you have the ability to tweek themes etc. until you are happy with them.

[maxfox44]

Darren

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated.
I'm looking also for a free (or good value) plugin for the products, but most seem to be linked to Amazon, Ebay or have actual checkouts. I just want to be able to manage the 400 items easily.

Any thoughts?

[darrenb]

I have not used any of these so cannot confirm if they are any good or not.

A quick search of the Wordpress plugin database:
CSV Importer
Easy CSV Importer 2
Import CSV: reviewed by Kirsty McCubbin (affiliate) although is a paid plugin

Others may be able to help that have experience with importing products into Wordpress.

[forexaffreviews]

I haven't tried it out but in theory it should be possible to automate this.

Create a folder in your public_html and upload CSV there. Make use of Yahoo pipes (CSV Fetch) to then convert it into a feed. You can then run it through wp-o-matic or any other rss scraper which will then post the csv data. You might have to use css in order to properly display on the page though.

[euraffiliates]

If your budget is over USD 600 you can go for PhP/MySQL custom built application on an theme / PSD template of your choice. The good point here you will have control on the site and you can upgrade the site as per your business logic. You do not know what new module need to be built or what logic need to be changed.

Wordpress and its plug-in are great for starting a website, but it is very hard to change the inside code logic or make a new module. The 3rd party plug-ins often has security holes and your programmer does not know about it. It may cost you a lot.

But if your plan is to start at low budget, wait and see, and rewrite the whole thing with business growth then it is fine.

[maxfox44]

Thanks for your advice so far. Never used csv files with wordpress.

[euraffiliates]

If it is custom one you will get interface to add/edit/upload product images or any part of the content of the website or any content images or even mail templates. So CSV is not of a problem.