I reside in the UK and I am a computer engineer by profession, I am able to build, configure, and upgrade computer systems to suit customers needs. I am thinking of opening an online computer store where as, customers place orders on my website for new/second hand computers and I supply, I would also like to sell computer accessories (etc) on the site.
I have been in contact with suppliers and can obtain computer parts at trade prices.

If anyone has experience in this field, please feel free to give advise.
Many thanks.

like Dell, Gateway, Alienware, etc.

It could work, but there is a lot of competition. I hope it works for you though.

Best of Luck

ukd001,

Looks like you're nearly all set as far as product preperation goes. All that is left is to focus on the business name, the store itself, and finance issues. oScommerce which is free ecommerce software has a free PC building mod you can add to your store that will fit your business model perfectly. You must consider how you plan to accept payments as well. Third Party payment processor or CC merchant account.

If you don't want to "do what everyone else is doing" and or you aren't familiar with web design and development you can always hire a custom web development freelancer or company to build your web presence. Or even cheaper hire one to do an oScommerce skin for you and install oScommerce on your hosting account.

Just a few ideas that come to mind.

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I am facing a similar problem, i have looked at both osCommerce and Cubecart, but because i have a content site based on php-fusion, i find it is not easy to integrate both packages together, as i would like the store to use the same header and menus as my main site for a similar look right through the site, all my attempts with cubecart though have ended in errors, that i dont know how to fix.

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Don't give up, i heard Alienware started up with $13K and they are now making Millions! Just some work and time :-D

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Really, Alienware has made an amazing impression, which i think can mostly be placed on the unique designs they offered, and i beleive somone else mentioned(when i was spaking about alienware at a product launch for a similar product) that alienware could supply a complete system in the same colour, eg keyboard, mouse, monitor and case all matching and not just in Black and Beige.

I beleive this is something you need to look at in the online market, You have to have somthing that is different which gets peoples attention. And more so something they dont see by going to the local computer shop somthing interesting that will get there attention and want to come back again.

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Joel Brown - Orion Networks
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