Hi. First, regarding the bid, your project limits to $500, but I have several options that range higher than $500, which are explained below.
I would propose building your website using a free shopping cart package called OSCommerce. I am in the process of rolling out my own website using it, and have have developed and integrated several very useful modifications. I can offer several levels of service: Level 1 ($800): Full implementation of OSCommerce including loading products, organizing products into as many categories as necessary, and customizing the look of the site. We can easily hook up the system to accept PayPal, Credit Cards or both. OSC has built in capability to easily add and modify products, and I will teach you what you need to do. I will also throw in my customized UPS shipping calculator, and set it up to be limited based on the shipping destination (more details upon request). Level 2 ($1500): Everything from Level 1, plus essential modifications and custom Windows applications that will integrate your back-end system or accounting package with the cart. This is ideal if you use Quickbooks, but we can integrate with some other systems as well. This includes a program to update quantities on hand so your store always shows accurate inventory, and an application that downloads orders and inserts them into your system. Essential modifications include the country/state selector, coupons, and an automatic thumbnail generator. Level 3 ($2000): Level 1 and 2, plus full setup and training of Quickbooks, as well as other integrated apps that assist with purchasing, and processing backorders. Note that the Cost of Quickbooks is not included in this price - Quickbooks Pro or Premeir is required. A La Carte: We can also offer several other modifications to OSC, including custom work, for which details and prices can be discussed upon acceptance. In addition to the above service, all packages, A La Carte items and customization come with three months of support - we won't abandon you, we'll make sure you can run your store properly.
I realize my bid is higher than all others on here for your project, but there is a reason for that. Don't discount the fact that setting up a successful e-commerce website is a large and substantial process and should not be taken lightly, nor should it be farmed out to the lowest bidder. I have experience with not only the website setup part, but the running of the business part as well. I have designed several applications and processes that will help you run both the online (updating, etc) and offline (order filling, customer service) portions of your business in an efficient, time and cost saving manner. If you accept my bid, you will get a quality website, and the foundation for a successful business.
Please feel free to contact me by PM if you would like further information.
Thanks for your consideration.