Would this be possible - multi site solution

[oorzaak]

Hi,

Would the following be possible using VirtueMart: we want to run several sites (up to 10) that each incorporate a webshop. The main goal of all webshops/sites will be dropshipping articles from the same wholesaler but each webshop/site would be dedicated to a different category of products. The sites will be more than just the webshop. In order to gain the interest of our target groups (and build search engins ranking) we will have additional content such as (Joomla core) articles and blogs. And they will have their own domain names.

Now the problem for us is: the wholesaler is taking quite a big fee just for being connected to them, so we are reluctant to have a new connection for each webshop (I think I'd better not mention their name here). So we are looking for a construction in which we can maintain multiple sites with their own shops while sharing one connection with this wholesaler. The sites will be on the same hosting and maybe we don't need to create more than one site at all, maybe we could just create one Joomla install and use multiple templates and some clever tricks so parts of the site will have their own domain names.

Or maybe there are other solutions somewhere in between these two options. We would like to hear if someone had this type of situation before and how they solved it - using VM.


Kind regards, Frits

[GJC Web Design]

while sharing one connection with this wholesaler

what does this mean?  A feed of products and prices or?

[oorzaak]

while sharing one connection with this wholesaler

what does this mean?  A feed of products and prices or?

The feed of products / prices / availabilty info (quantities, estimated delivery time) is one aspect of the connection, or should I say: one direction, from the wholesaler to the shop.
The other direction is when a customer purchases a product, then the order info will be sent to the wholesaler who, in this particular case, also provides the handling and shipping. Maybe 'distributor' would be a better term in this case.
And after a succesful shipment (or an unsuccesful shipment as well) there will be feedback from the wholesaler/distributor to the shop.

All of this is part of the connection. There are quite some shops out there already using this system. The difference in our case is that we are looking for some kind of multi site / shop solution.

Frits

[GJC Web Design]

just use the paid connection to one shop

link the other 9 to that one..

but surely at some stage the wholesaler will work out your distributing the feed ?

Must say weird business setup.. effectively pay to sell others goods..