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Most climbing stands are designed to allow you to climb the tree with a sit-down-stand-up motion and then sit in it to hunt. You get down by reversing the ratchet-like action.
Strap-on steps, climbing sticks, and screw-in steps are designed to be used with a hang-on type stand.
Best advice I can give is to get someone to demonstrate both for you. Preferably another hunter with experience with them or even a good salesperson. Practice with your chosen system in a controlled setting without gun, gear, heavy clothing, etc.
Three safety tips:
Always use a safety harness, especially while climbing up, down into or out of the stand. It only takes one fall to turn you into Christopher Reeves.
Use a rope to get your gear up to the stand after you're set and lower it down before you climb down. Make sure you don't have a round in the chamber while roping your gun.
Tell someone exactly where to find you and carry a cell-phone. I've heard of people falling and not being found for a while.
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