php/mysql questions

[ChristopherB]

Hey,

I've just finished off designing and coding (xhtml/css) a new website and im ready to go ahead with the next step but this is where i am not to sure how to do it.

I have my website which will be based on wordpress, then i will have some php pages taking information from a database to display certain products, these pages will look part of the site (same design) but will display certain products.

Let's use beds for example, i want to display beds from Woolworths, Firebox, prezzybox and a couple of other merchants (only beds, so not gadgets / toys)

How do i go about putting these items from a csv file into a mysql database?

This is my idea, cut all the data i want from each csv file and restructure the items to fit into one csv file with, ID, Product, Size, Price, Link, Image, (alot of work but may be the way to do it...)

Would this be the best solution? (also how do i import csv files into a mysql database?)

PS. i have two php & mysql books im reading through right now but im confused on the above, how to get this result.

[Barry]

Have you thought about maybe using Content Widgets instead as they are far easier to maintain.

Ta

Baz

[ChristopherB]

Yes, i will be writing content for paticular pages and will want certain information from the database indexed which content widgets won't provide.

Once i get it all setup i believe it will be alot more flexible than content widgets as i will be able to order via size, price of all the products or a subset of the products such as kingsize beds by price.

the only aspect that will need to be maintained is the removal / updation/addition of products and prices but in the longrun i think from the database it is mroe flexible.

[ChristopherB]

Bump...

thought i'd bump incase any of the night dwellers had some input / experience.

[accelerator]

My advice would be to assess the "out of the box" tools first before attempting to "go it alone". The networks have been developing tools themselves and often they will do what you need and give you more time to get on with the marketing:

Affiliate Marketing Shopping Development Tools

Rgds