Which PDF Publishers sell direct from their Websites?

[ZombieButch]

I don't know ...

You know why you don't know?

It's because I'm a dumbass who doesn't know when to type "former" or "latter".

Either that, or I shouldn't post while I'm trying to fix my kid his lunch.

Mea culpa.

 

[Steve Conan Trustrum]

You know why you don't know?

It's because I'm a dumbass who doesn't know when to type "former" or "latter".

Either that, or I shouldn't post while I'm trying to fix my kid his lunch.

Mea culpa.

Okay, your point makes much more sense now

 

[HinterWelt]

I've been looking into direct sales for sometime and this thread answered a bunch of questions.

Bill, are you talking about something like a shared, independent site run by the members collectively or a frontend facade that links to and unifies the information directly from the members' own sites?

Initially, just thinking here, I would go with a unified co-op store front. Members would upload to a site then product listings (optimally) would be self managed. So, much along the lines of (mechanically) how RPGNow does it.

That said, remote access carries loads of issues. I am not sure that would be effective in a store environment. I have done it with EDI and XML remote interfaces and a slew of web service implementation but always more for data and document exchange rather than live data. Yeah, we could cache it on the site but then you get synch problems.

That said, I could see it as an option down the road.

Bill

 

[Paradigm]

PCI's storefront is under construction, but once up and running will include print and PDF products as well as Arcanis accessories such as T-Shirts.

 

[Urizen]

Cool! You should be getting the download link in your email shortly.

Thanks heaps!

Edit: Oh, and if anyone's curious... PayPal's commission for the transaction was 13%.

Can you somehow setup the system so it automatically sends a download link?

 

[HinterWelt]

Can you somehow setup the system so it automatically sends a download link?

That was what I was asking about linklock for. I have heard of some publishers using it as a link manager for sales. Using Paypal's IPN API you can have it return to a php page (or java ) and have it trigger the program after transaction confirmation. It is kind of complex. I have used it in four implementations to date an none of them went particularly smoothly.

So, anyone using linklock?

Bill

 

[Rasyr]

How difficult is this program to use for someone with no experience?

I would suggest spending a week or two getting to know the admin section of it. I had no experience when I used it to setup my own online store (not rpg related). You can view that at http://www.niknakgifts.net

Like I said before, Zen Cart is ready to go out of the box, and it has a LOT of features, including a built in ad manager, a sideblock manager (side blocks are already coded, you just pick & choose which ones you want), a sale manager, a coupon manager, and a gift certificate manager, and many many other nifty things. Most mods are extremely easy to install and they just plug right on in. The same applies for different skins (installing pretty much consists of uploading to your server, and then going into admin and telling it to use what you just uploaded).

To install Zen Cart, you don't need any experience in Web Programming - just a bit of basic common sense...

Roudi - check out http:www.hostdepartment.com -- I am currently using their "Unlimited Website" deal for my host ($4.95 a month, only because I don't pay annually), unlimited bandwidth, unlimited MB on server, up to 10 free sub-domains, etc... Lots of nice stuff...

Hinterwelt - you can actually use Zen Cart with your current paypal account (if you are not wanting to get set up with a gateway for taking CC online directly. Paypal takes CCs, and does not require the customer to be a paypal customer. With Paypal's IPN stuff, it will send the check out info directly back to Zen Cart and should at that point send the customer their email with PDF links in it. (and/or marked the purchase as paid, so you can send print products).

 

[HinterWelt]

Hinterwelt - you can actually use Zen Cart with your current paypal account (if you are not wanting to get set up with a gateway for taking CC online directly. Paypal takes CCs, and does not require the customer to be a paypal customer. With Paypal's IPN stuff, it will send the check out info directly back to Zen Cart and should at that point send the customer their email with PDF links in it. (and/or marked the purchase as paid, so you can send print products).

Definitely. I am mocking up a site right now. I have been working with it for a few days but still on a learnign curve. Let me stress to everyone, Zen Cart is worth it for the NOT having to deal with IPN.

Do you need to use their Web Pro service? The one that cost $20? I have always had issues with the way they describe their payment services...and I think it is mostly me.

Bill

 

[philreed]

I seriously need a Ronin Arts store and have determined that I cannot make it happen.

 

[HinterWelt]

I seriously need a Ronin Arts store and have determined that I cannot make it happen.

Phil,
I am always willing to lend a hand. Zen Cart does look like a solution that is both affordable and fairly easy to manage.

Let me know if I can make you life any easier.

Bill