osCommerce
osCommerce is an open source, PHP shopping cart that makes managing an online store easy. osCommerce allows you to run a web store without having to work with HTML (HTML knowledge required to make changes to the layout). The store has an online admin area where you can add/edit/delete products and print packing slips easily.
Cost: The script itself is free to download, and there are no monthly fees. If you plan on accepting credit cards directly through the shopping cart, you will want to purchase a secure certificate. (Go Daddy sells them for less than $30 per year).
Supported payment types: 2Checkout, Authorize.net, ChronoPay, iPayment, PayQuake, Trust Commerce, PayPal, C.O.D., checks, and money orders.
You can also set the cart to collect (not process) credit card information to process manually through your merchant account.
Supported shipping options: UPS, USPS, free shipping, flat rate, table rates.
My thoughts: I have installed and customized osCommerce for a few different clients (some who later switched to Zen Cart). Before discovering it’s close cousin ZenCart, it was one of my favorite free shopping cart systems. Like Zen Cart, osCommerce is very easy to use and manage once you have it set-up.
My biggest irk with osCommerce is that gift certificates/vouchers are not included with a standard install. I have yet to have a client NOT need this feature. It also lacks a text field option (for personalizing products), but does include check box, radio and drop-down options standard. Both vouchers and text fields can be added by installing a contribution but Zen Cart includes these built-in which makes life so much easier. Especially if you have limited scripting experience.
OsCommerce is easier (less files compared to Zen Cart) to install but more difficult to customize. If you run into trouble or need help customizing the design of the shopping cart, please contact me for a quote.
Where to download: Visit their website to download the script for free.
Since osCommerce is so popular, many web hosts (including HostGator, whom I use) now include it with their hosting plans. Just click on the script in your control panel (usually listed under Fantastico) and they install it for you.
osCommerce is still a good script, especially compared to some of the other free options out there. I still recommend osCommerce to someone who wants to set-up their store quickly and does not need gift certificate options or any personalizing of products. But if you have a choice, go with Zen Cart.
Free osCommerce Tutorials
How to install osCommerce at HostGator
Related tutorials that might interest you:
