Mid-Tier E-Commerce / Cart Software

Looking for robust, customizable solution based on PHP and MySQL

[consultant]

I've have a couple of e-tail clients, one client has about 5,000 products does about 2,000 online sales a month (3 times that in December) and they are using a custom developed website based on Perl and mySQL. Recently I started developing my websites in PHP instead. The first clients website was developed over 3 years with lots of ad hoc improvements. I want to transition them to PHP version where I'll take the opportunity to add new features and clean up the code. I also have a new client that wants an e-tail site. I can see killing two birds with one stone here if I can find some robust e-commerce software that is based on PHP and mySQL that I can just customize. I'll list my main requirements below. It appears the two most popular solutions are X-Cart and OS Commerce although my budget would allow me to use some more expensive products if ones are available that can compete. I'd appreciate some feedback on which products people think fit the requirements best.

Requirements:

1. Based on PHP and MySQL (Runs on Linux/Apache)
2. Highly configurable with Robust HTML based administration
3. Source code easily modifiable for your average PHP/mySQL programmer. (I hear the OS Commerce code is difficult to understand? Is it commented well at least?)
4. Robust support available as an option (install, configure, modify - I hear X-Cart support is pretty good even though they are in Russia?) These are not Mom & Pop companies and I'm not some fly by night consultant doing this as a hobby. I need a solution that has a company behind it I can count on to be there for me if I need them.
5. Cost of $2,500 or less. Support $500 or less per year.

Nice to have features:

1. Affiliate module - ability to track and report on referral sales.
2. Gift Registry
3. Ability for customers to view order history

It seems like I am describing X-Cart to a tee. But are there better alternatives?

[yowza]

If you do your own PHP, why not a custom job? Once you have done one custom cart you can reuse the code on others.

Before you switch them to PHP, you should make sure that you are not going to mess up search engine rankings by changing url's.

[borzoid]

Hi, I'm relatively new to e-commerce and just recently switched to Zen Cart. Lots of features, relatively easy for the newbie to configure and the guys who know what they're doing are adding new contributions all the time.

Zen uses php and mysql. It's still growing and we're all waiting with baited breath for some great promised features in the next release. They also have a very proactive coding team and support forum. I don't see why it couldn't handle businesses of the size you are describing. I'm not sure if I can post the url here but if you search for Zen Cart you will find it.

Oh and by the way.....it's free.

Connie

[shrirch]

Just ordered X-cart pro with some of the modules and some custom work.

About to put them through some serious support questions... lets see how it works out. Sticky me if you want to exchange notes, we're using the affiliate, gift registry and advanced order management modules.

[Corey Bryant]

That could easily be done. I have seen shopping carts built with a very robust admin section for about $2,000. For what you are wanting to do - I would see no problem. Write out a scope of work - exactly what you want the shopping cart to do & go from there. Find a programmer who is comfortable with PHP & ask them how long it will take. $2500 is reasonable.

-Corey