Ahhh... e-commerce....

You dream of this moment for a long time!  Your very own website...yourname.com!  and then you decide to go for it! 

You get your domain name registered.. GOOD FOR YOU!

You are dancing for joy... nothing can stop you now!  except.....

*cue dramatic music*

The evil internet wolf waiting around the corner for you!!!

The hungry wolf

He/she smells your enthusiasm and most of all... your money!

He/she tells you tales of how he can set you up from beginning to end with your very own shiny new shopping cart,

He/she shows you examples of other carts they've set up (some look like someone scotch taped a logo on the header)

and then finally he/she gives you a song and dance on how he normally does this for (example) $xxxx.xx but for you he is willing to do it for $xxx.xx cuz you seem like a nice person.

Truth of the matter is... most shopping cart software is FREE....  They take seconds to set up and minutes to personalize.  But because you did not know this fact... you just gave someone hundreds of your hard earned $$$ to a con artist who spent about half an hour (if they're new at it and unsure and slow) installing this for you.

Protect yourself

How do I know this?  I have been doing web design and setting up e-commerce businesses for over 10 years and lately I am appalled at the number of people I see offering these kinds of services for HUNDREDS of dollars when in fact they are FREE.

Just remember this... it takes half an hour (if you are slow) to install a shopping cart software module...  whatever someone charges... multiply this by 2 and ask yourself...  Are they worth this much hourly?

Shopping List

All you need to set up your e-commerce is:
 

1. Domain name registered (costs around $9/yr)
2. A solid hosting company

• Free ones come with advertisement and that just doesn't look like you take business seriously, Free hosting is good for personal websites.
• CPanel is a very handy tool (its usually loaded with tons of free scripts and software, like shopping carts)
• Shopping cart software (Like the free ones: Zen Cart, Agora Cart, Shop script, etc)
• Paypal account

Conclusion

When choosing an e-commerce plan, ask someone you know and trust.  And beware... There is always someone around the corner waiting to take your money if you let them. SO do you research. 

This will save you handing in money to someone for something that you could have gotten FREE.