45 replies to this topic

[compnoob88]

I'm planning to start a small business to sell my sewing (handicrafts like cosmetics cases, everyday bags, pencil cases, handphone cases, pouches etc.) I'm thinking of building a website/online store, to allow my business to appear in search listings, and help my sales.

The thing is, I don't know which programming language to learn, and would really like some advice:)

Some things I require from the website:
- I need to upload photographs of the items on sale. I'm thinking maybe a page showing all the thumbnails, and when you click on one the picture gets enlarged.
- I need to integrate Paypal, and credit card payment into the website.
- It needs to be aesthetically pleasing.
- Relatively small website.

I've done C and C++ in college, and I quite like programming. I just don't know which language I should learn for this purpose. I really don't mind any language, even if it is hard to learn, or very different from C and C++, or takes too long (I'll only be launching the website in about 12 months' time); as long as the end product is good. Also, I'm trying to cut costs, so it has to be free (or close to free) to learn it.

I don't know if this is a stupid question, but does the language used affect the speed of download? I don't want to lose views because of slow downloads...

Please advise me! Thanks!

[BlaineSch]

PHP I believe to be the most common language online. Do you know HTML already?

If its 12 months and this is the only site you are creating it might just be cheaper and faster to hire somebody to do this.

[WingedPanther]

I would start with HTML and CSS. Those are the languages that define how a page looks. Then I would add JavaScript and PHP to support things like online sales. You also may want to look into SQL for database support.

[compnoob88]

Hi, thanks for the replies!

BlaineSch:
Nope, I don't know HTML yet, just C and C++. Actually I'm really keen on doing this website, I've been thinking of learning web design for quite a while, even before I decided to set up this thing; I don't know if I will be designing any more in the future, but I'd love to add more languages to my repertoire, just for the heck of it:) But just out of curiosity, how much do you think something like this would normally cost?

WingedPanther:
Thanks, that was really detailed and helpful! I'll look into them soon...

Also, I just found out about content management systems; I read that you can get something like a template from Joomla or Drupal, and tinker with it until the website looks how you want it to. Is this a good idea, especially for the kind of website I'm building?

[BlaineSch]

Cost? Free if you want lol

If you want to spend some money you could get some books but if you want I could email you a few ebooks or something I have a few you might like.

Learning HTML isnt hard you just gotta know where to look. This site below has HTML, CSS, PHP, and MySQL tutorials and walk throughs. You can learn everything here.

W3Schools Online Web Tutorials


If you wanna learn more advanced PHP you can always visit their website:
PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor

If you do not have hosting you can get free PHP hosting you can just do some tests on.
Google


If your just testing HTML just save your files in .html on your computer and open them up with your default browser and you should be great!

[WingedPanther]

WAMPserver is a very useful tool for testing, as well. If you're on Windows, it will allow you to use PHP, MySQL, etc on a Windows box and do all testing locally.

[jwxie518]

I personally would suggest to go with XAMPP it's also for Windows and I use it myself.
I might try WAMPserver later. Either one is good.

Hmm since you have learned C and C++, PHP is a very popular choice today. Plus, PHP is influence by languages like Java, C++, C, Perl.
It's free too....

[relapse]

Sounds like you are trying to begin without having the needed tools. First learn HTML. Then CSS. Then you can pick a language like Ruby, PHP, or Perl. Then you'll probably want to expand out and learn a client-side web development language, JavaScript.

That is a lot on your plate. Have fun.

[GabryelFall]

All these comments great. But all you really need is HTML. CSS will help you make it prettier, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby will help you make it more user friendly. But none of that matters if you don't have a good base or skeleton. HTML is the most essential thing you need. Like BlaineSch suggested, go to W3Schools. Once you've got a good base branch out to CSS then PHP and/or JavaScript.

[Showstopper]

GabryelFall said:

All these comments great. But all you really need is HTML. CSS will help you make it prettier, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby will help you make it more user friendly. But none of that matters if you don't have a good base or skeleton. HTML is the most essential thing you need. Like BlaineSch suggested, go to W3Schools. Once you've got a good base branch out to CSS then PHP and/or JavaScript.

This guy is right on. Learn HTML first, you should probably know XHTML and CSS.

[jwxie518]

actually if you don't want to waste your time, either pay someone to finish the site for you in a fair pay (some $100 - 300) with any existing open source project. Or you could just select an open source project that fits your need.