Once you've decided which product your going to sell online, next most important decision you'll make is which shopping cart system to buy. It is perhaps most important single decision you'll make in your online marketing career. This is because:

* You're sort of stuck with decision for a long time.

* If you buy into a system that isn't adequate, it can cost you money. BIG money.

* There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of off-the-shelf alternative products out there vying for your money, time or both.

* Even if you decide you've made a mistake, switching shopping cart systems is really difficult.

I know. I learned hard way. When I started in this business I couldn't find a decent shopping cart program so I rolled my own. What a headache. In process of living with that monstrosity - - and shopping for a suitable replacement -- over last couple of years, I've come up with something I think you'll find useful.

Here are 21 questions you absolutely, unfailingly MUST ask anyone trying to sell you a shopping cart, custom or otherwise. If you don't hear good positive answers to vast majority of these questions, put your wallet back into your pocket and move to next choice. Don't get stuck with a crappy shopping cart. (If you want to know even more about this subject, you can download a free eBook "How to Pick a Shopping Cart System That Makes You Money," from my site at http://www.public-speaking.org/ebook.htm You can even redistribute that book to others if you want to share these insights!)

As a 'Netpreneur, world is your market; expenses are less.

That is true, everyone knows it. But too many people believe empty promises and schemes that are rampant on this new frontier; just like old gold rush days you read about. "There are no free lunches" still holds true. Advising you what business to get into on net is not intended here, that's a whole other subject we can get to later on. Let's assume for now that you have some venture ideas in mind. Actual profit is rarely immediate, but that is always possible.

While not impossible, usually those over night results we hear about took a very long time (maybe years) preparing for that particular night. This is certainly not meant to discourage any one. It is just meant as a help in making decisions about how much faith, risk and will power you'll invest in your ventures.

This simply means, if you can't have that much faith and will power for a business idea, or if you aren't ready to learn and take a little risk to test waters, you had better look for some thing you can feel more confident about. When our money is involved, no matter if it is only a small investment, those are decisions that do become much easier. In fact, I have found that it is better to have some money invested because it will keep us motivated and focused when there is some risk and our "eye is steadily on prize".

There's a valid point to holding off expense as long as you can.

Even when you are ready to "go live", it's usually quite a while before we see enough money made. Costs add up during that time, usually monthly, for websites, hosting & promotions. So that expense as well as any product investment needs to be recouped as a first goal. Set your goals like steps on a ladder to your ultimate goal at top. It's easier to go step by step in a systematic way. It is very exciting and keeps you going to reach each next step on that ladder.

To make money, you MUST make it easy for people to buy.

This means good clean website design and navigation. People want to see quickly what you're offering, if it will benefit them, how it will be delivered, how much it costs, and how you are going to back it up. Be sure your site loads fas. Never use any applets, cutesy decorations nor script that does not relate to one of those five factors. Every headline and sentence needs to make them want to know what is next. It must hold their attention until buying decision is made.

You MUST accept "Plastic Money" on internet.

I don't know if your product is tangible (shipped), an intangible (downloadable) or subscription (recurring billing). But whatever it is, buying needs to be easy, fast and securely done. Having a merchant account of your own is best way if you have a great deal of buyers. It can be very expensive to set up, even if some companies offer full service, including a shopping cart.