Should I use PayPal forms, JavaScript, or PHP/MySQL?

Each method seems to have downsides

[MichaelBluejay]

Time for me to add my first shopping cart to a site. I'm going to use PayPal as my processor to keep it simple, and because I expect low sales volume. But I haven't found a way to get a shopping system that doesn't spawn new windows, doesn't require JavaScript, and that I can implement myself without buying anything. Here are the problems I have with each method:

PayPal forms. PayPal's "Add to Cart" button spawns a new window, and I really, really don't want to subject my visitors to flying windows, especially when some of them might not be able to figure out how to get back to my site. Also, I don't like putting in a big form for each individual product, because that adds page weight and slows down loading time, plus it's hard for me to edit the page when I have to wade through so much code.

Create a local cart with JavaScript, and then pass the total to PayPal. This would solve my window-spawning problem, but it wouldn't work for users who have JavaScript disabled.

Create a PHP/MySQL or cgi-bin shopping cart, and pass the total to PayPal. My understanding is that to do this I have to set a cookie to keep track of each customer separately, and that setting the cookie requires JavaScript, which would again break my system for users with JavaScript turned off.

So my questions are:

1. Is my description of the above accurate? (Or, for example, can I set a cookie without JavaScript?)

2. For each method listed above, is there some way to overcome the associated problem I'm having with it?

3. Is there some other method for having a shopping system that could work and which I didn't list?

4. How the heck does Amazon do it? I turned off JavaScript but I'm still able to add items to my shopping cart on their site.

Thank you very much for your help, -MBJ-

[shasan]

I would stay away from a javascript shopping cart. The concept kinda scares me.

Go with the PHP/MySQL idea. You can either build it yourself, or you can see if you can find a pre-built one for free (OSCommerce comes to mind... I'm not sure about the paypal integration, but that shouldn't be tough to do).

furthermore, setting a cookie does not require javascript, you can do it with PHP.

HTH

[yowza]

A great solution would be mals ecommerce shopping cart. It is made only for low volume sales. You can integrate it with Paypal and easily add a gateway for a merchant account ,if necessary in the future.

h*ttp://www.mals-e.com

[tolachi]

search for shopping cart here [webmasterworld.com].

I think that your question has come up a few times. And I would avoid any javascript.