What kinds of things would a site need to add a searchable catalog of items, with or without e-commerce capability?-gcti

[deckeda]

Apart from one or more data-entry minions, that is.

The example I'm thinking of would be a site for an independent music store. If you buy music locally you know that if they have a site at all, it's often sorta worthless with regard to all they offer.

Overall, I'm presuming it's the kind of thing more trouble than it's worth, particularly for a sort of inventory always in flux. Stores today usually generate buzz not with their site but with social media and often throw stuff up on eBay if they want people to know what they have. But what if that wasn't the case?

[Seacrest]

A database.
A way for real-time data to be passed from the stores' inventory-control systems to the database.
Someone to tie that all together.

Can it be done?
Yes.

Is it worth doing?
Doubtful.

[decay]

how about setting up an account on discogs.com for the store?

they could sell thru there; most of what they'd be selling is already cataloged. you can also see what's commanding more money, or less.

[deckeda]

Thought about that as well, and it makes sense for a small store that doesn't necessarily need a controlled, corporate face to it. I'll bet many of the small sellers around the world on Discogs are doing just that.