I'm trying to start an on-line business (Customized Santa Letters). This form would probably be one of the most important pieces in getting my business to work efficiently.

I want to create a form that would collect information from the client (name, address) and all the customized pieces of the santa letter (good deeds, wish list, letter style options, stationary, etc) and then put all of that information together into a nice preview for the client...while at the same time acting as the order form. Here is a PERFECT example of what I want to do: PERFECT SANTA LETTER ORDER FORM

In fact, I want my form to work exactly like this one (MINUS step 7...and I would change the actual letter styles and stationary...the copyrighted stuff).

The complicated part for me (since I'm not familiar with coding) is how to pull all of the data together to create the sample previews and the final preview. And the BIG piece is being able to download all of this data (once it is completed and purchased by the customer) in a format that will allow me to print these letters.

I don't even know where to start...thoughts...pointers...help?!

Pointers only :

se a server-side script language if your web site allows it. Otherwise, you will have to use a client-side dependent "mailto:" action to get the form info sent to you.

Your current hosting package MUST allow SMTP ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Mail_Transfer_Protocol ) to work. Otherwise, no email can be sent.

Use any of the below sites to make the workable form you need:

For making forms:

These are really good online form makers. Just follow the instructions for making it and uploading file(s).

http://www.phpform.org/ (Best-est)
http://www.tele-pro.co.uk/scripts/contact_form/
http://jotform.com/ (WYSIWYG Form Maker)
http://www.thesitewizard.com/wizards/feedbackform.shtml
http://www.thepcmanwebsite.com/form_mail.shtml

http://emailmeform.com/
http://www.freecontactform.com/
http://www.reconn.us/content/view/12/34/ (Download - Contact Us Script)
http://formsmarts.com/
Freebie: Good looking Fluid Contact Form: http://www.flashuser.net/flash-components/...ntact-form.html

Payment Gateways:

6 Payment Gateways Reviewed: http://www.sitepoint.com/article/money-whe...se-is-gateways/
Ecommerce Payment Gateway Primer: http://www.websitepublisher.net/article/payment-gateway/
What You Should Ask A Payment Gateway Provider: http://michellenewman.wordpress.com/2007/0...teway-provider/

Free eCommerce:

Mal's e-commerce is a FREE Shopping Cart Service: http://www.mals-e.com/
Free Shopping Cart Software for Joomla! & Mambo: http://virtuemart.net/
Create your own Online Store for Free with Free Webstore: http://www.freewebstore.org/
eCRATER.com is both a free web store builder and a free online marketplace: http://www.ecrater.com/
Ubercart is an exciting open source e-commerce package that fully integrates your online store with Drupal: http://www.ubercart.org/
Free Shopping Cart Software: http://www.1freecart.com/

osCommerce Online Merchant is an Open Source online shop e-commerce solution that is available for free under the GNU General Public License: http://www.oscommerce.com/
Zen Cart™ truly is the art of e-commerce; free, user-friendly, open source shopping cart software: http://www.google.com/search?q=free+ecomme...lient=firefox-a

35 Free High-Quality E-Commerce Templates: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/01/25...erce-templates/

Hosting Info:

Web Hosting Jury: http://www.webhostingjury.com/
http://www.hosting-shopper.com/
http://www.rankpulse.com/www.siteground.com
http://www.siteground.com/
http://b2evolution.net/web-hosting/top-qua...-webhosting.php

Useful Tools/Info:

How to Register Your Own Domain Name: http://www.thesitewizard.com/archive/registerdomain.shtml
Web Design Tips: http://www.webweaver.nu/html-tips/
http://hapedit.free.fr/tools.php
Webmaster Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.thesitewizard.com/faqs/
Sitemap Generators: http://code.google.com/p/sitemap-generator...temapGenerators