which web servers, database servers to use?

What's your budget?

I definitely know how you can do that but I keep being told that it's not the most cost-effective way to do it.

The way I know though is to use SiteKreator to set up a site (they will give you a domain name with the business packages, too), and then use Paypal to set up a credit card.

I'm less sure about the "database back-end" part, but SiteKreator allows you to see site statistics, either built-in or via Google Analytics.

Hope that's helpful! I think there are other, better ways, but I decided not to click away after reading since I do know a way to do it.

Good luck...

(SiteKreator: www.sitekreator.com )

Thanks sozobe for your reply.

The way you suggested is definitely convenient.

I know there are some commercially available web solutions for doing this. But in the long run, I still want to be able to create and manage my own customer database. This is why I don't want to just use a package or platform like Yahoo!Stores.