How Do I Go About Setting Up This Type of Online Store? (Downloadable purchases)

@duderdude2Sep 30.2004

I apologize if I put this in the wrong forum, but it seemed to be the best suited.

Anyways, I want to start providing streaming videos that can be downloaded on a pay per play basis. However, I have no idea how to begin setting this up.

As an example of how it would be set up: A customer would select what video they would like to watch, pay the small fee, and then have the download begin automatically. Ideally, once they close their streaming player (such as RealPlayer), they would be unable to access the video without paying to watch it again.

Like I said, I have no idea how to begin setting this up in regards to either the e-commerce portion or the technicality portion. For instance, what would prevent a customer from simply bookmarking the url of the video and accessing it whenever they want (or sharing the url with friends) without paying each time?

Oh, and I’m well aware of PayPal (my website currently uses them), but I need a more professional looking and less cumbersome method of making transactions

If any advice could be provided, I’d be most appreciative. Thanks in advance.

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Full-stack Developer

8 Comments(s) _↴

@sciguyryanOct 02.2004 — #Well, I would suggest using PHP for this.

If you could use SQL have a look here: http://www.zend.com - in the developers section it tells you hoe tocreate a good PHP to PayPal interfact script.

This would be a big job for you but, it is doable.

RyanJ

@duderdude2authorOct 02.2004 — #[i]Originally posted by sciguyryan [/i]

[B]Well, I would suggest using PHP for this.

If you could use SQL have a look here: http://www.zend.com - in the developers section it tells you hoe tocreate a good PHP to PayPal interfact script.

This would be a big job for you but, it is doable.

RyanJ [/B][/QUOTE]

Thanks for the response, and the link, but I'm not too keen on using PayPal as it doesn't convey the level of professionalism I want. Are there any other options? I need the transactions to go as smoothly as possibile.

@MstrBobOct 03.2004 — #Hmm, if you want to avoid 3rd party you need to get yourself a nice secure server, you'll have to get some secure connections, and a programmer who knows what the hell he's doing. Once you start handling stuff like this, it gets very dicey. If you want it professional, then hire a professional developer. Because you're dealing with people's credit cards and personal info, not stuff they or you want accessed without authorization. And what you're looking for with the streaming video, well, I'd tell you not to attempt this on your own.

@duderdude2authorOct 03.2004 — #[i]Originally posted by MstrBob [/i]

[B]Hmm, if you want to avoid 3rd party you need to get yourself a nice secure server, you'll have to get some secure connections, and a programmer who knows what the hell he's doing. Once you start handling stuff like this, it gets very dicey. If you want it professional, then hire a professional developer. Because you're dealing with people's credit cards and personal info, not stuff they or you want accessed without authorization. And what you're looking for with the streaming video, well, I'd tell you not to attempt this on your own. [/B][/QUOTE]

Do you know where I can go for such services? I already have the website, I'd just need someone to set-up the store interface as I described.

@chrismartzOct 03.2004 — #checkout [URL=http://www.scriptencrypter.com/]http://www.scriptencrypter.com/[/URL] to encode your coding and transfers!

@duderdude2authorOct 03.2004 — #[i]Originally posted by sirhcchris3 [/i]

[B]checkout [URL=http://www.scriptencrypter.com/]http://www.scriptencrypter.com/[/URL] to encode your coding and transfers! [/B][/QUOTE]

I looked at that, but I don't think any of those options can really help me. Thanks anyway.

@GUIROct 07.2004 — #I tried to get a PayPal account for my site, but I couldn't because they are not operate in Sri Lanka.

However, try on www.kagi.com (No monthly fee or Setup fee)

Also, there are some web hosting companies providing Shopping Cart Facilities(sometimes free).

My site is hoste with [URL=http://www.name.com]www.name.com they give [b]OsCommerce[/b] for Shopping Carts.

[URL=http://www.netfirms.com]Netfirms[/URL] also proides similar but high Qual.

There may be many others.

If you really want to handle customers' credit card info, yourself other than third party, its not simple for an individual.But not impossible. You want secure servers, data encryptions, merchant bank accounts, and trusted professional. Try on that.

It may useful if u visit www.thesitewizard.com

I'm also interested on this and if u find any useful info, please PM me.

Regards

@daed17Oct 12.2004 — #You need a merchant account with a gateway for credit card purchases. For paypal you need to use ipn. You need a SSL certificate to make your site secure. Using php/mysql you can write the code so that once the transaction is successful then they can download the information.

If you need any assistance with this please let me know.

I am doing this for my site already... http://www.owltechnology.net

I have automated the process so that when a user makes a successful payment either by credit card or paypal then it will create their account and send an email with their information.

This same process can be used for downloading.

Otherwise you can set up a paypal store front and contact your merchant account provider for a store front also.