To Develop E-Commerce backend or to outsource

Okay, i have a problem. I in the works in developing a e-commerece site. Im looking in the backend software of it. Of course i want it out of php. But here is my question:

Would it be better to build it in house or to rely on a already established product?

Ive seen some nice open source e-commerece packages that i can use, but at the same time i want to develop my own. But the only thing that is keeping from doing it, is lack of experience. I sure can program, but programming a entire backend is beyond my skill.

I do want to see if can do it, but the business would rely on my my ability to come out with a successful program, if i dont we are kaput. Then comes my ego, i want to do it to see if i can.

What do you all think?

osCommerce [ URL ] is free, open source, and used on hundreds of sites. I recommend downloading the latest cvs snapshot.

No need to reinvent the wheel.

What about using phpshop?

THere about a couple of articles at: http://www.devshed.com/Server_Side/PHP

on it. I've had no experience with it, but I've heard it does the job well

Also consider who you are going to use as a merchant. Worldpay and Paypal are the two I've heard of. A worldpay account already comes with ecommerce.

Hmmm... I'm with the other two folks. Not to drag you down, but it sounds like you doubt your ability to do it. If that's the case, I wouldn't reccommend you try it. Pick up more experience elsewhere until you are actually comfortable tacklink that big of job. In the meantime, why risk your livelihood for ego satisfaction? You'll have plenty of other chances to prove your skills, just be patient

Yeah, I've got to agree, too. Test your skills on a smaller project that doesn't have so much riding on it.

---John Holmes...