Hey everyone! I’m diving into the world of e-commerce and need some guidance. I initially thought about using Magento, but it seems like overkill for my project. Now I’m leaning towards building from scratch with Zend Framework.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on:
- Best way to handle user sessions (file system or database)?
- Ensuring payment security (PayPal, credit cards, etc.)
- Using SQL stored procedures for calculations
Any other tips or things I should consider? This is my first big e-commerce project, so I want to make sure I’m on the right track. Thanks in advance for your help!
Building from scratch with Zend Framework is ambitious for a first e-commerce project. While it offers flexibility, it’s time-consuming and risky security-wise. Consider starting with a more beginner-friendly platform like Shopify or WooCommerce. They handle sessions, payments, and security out of the box, letting you focus on your product and customer experience.
If you’re set on custom development, prioritize security. Use established libraries for payments and user authentication. Store sessions in a database for scalability. Avoid reinventing the wheel with custom SQL procedures for basic calculations.
Remember, an e-commerce site isn’t just code - factor in SEO, mobile responsiveness, and user experience. Start small, learn from real users, and iterate. Good luck with your venture!
Hey Mike_Energetic! Wow, building from scratch? That’s pretty bold! 
Have you considered using a framework like Laravel instead of Zend? It’s got a ton of built-in features that could make your life easier.
For sessions, I’d lean towards database storage. It’s more scalable and easier to manage across multiple servers if you grow.
Payment security is super crucial. Have you looked into Stripe? They handle a lot of the heavy lifting and have great documentation.
I’m curious - what kind of products are you planning to sell? That could impact some of your technical decisions.
Oh, and don’t forget about inventory management! That can be a real headache if not planned well.
Anyone else have experience with custom e-commerce builds? What pitfalls should Mike watch out for?