We decided to take a look at recent reports on Internet retail sales just to see if Net stock gloom was blunting steady expansion of online commerce. We found some softening in rate of growth, but we certainly didn't find any contraction in consumer behavior. The shrinking effect right now seems limited to number of dot coms rather then number of consumers. In fact, if you subtract bizarrely heightened expectations for Internet, its growth is coming along just fine. By any standards other than Net-boom mentality, Internet expansion continues to be fairly spectacular.

Net buyers hit ten quarters of continuous buying

Greenfield Online reported that for 10 consecutive quarters, 60 percent of U.S. Online consumers have made at least one purchase on Web within a 90-day period. And 28 percent of these shoppers have clicked on Internet ads while shopping. Not surprisingly, those with an annual income of $50,000 and above are more likely to purchase goods (81 percent) than those whose income is below $50,000 (64 percent). Women on Net buy at a slightly higher rate (74 percent) than men (71 percent). The top categories of goods continues to be books and CDs, followed by clothing, toys and computer software.

Rich buyers seek service basics online

Let's face it, very few entrepreneurs and small businesses can afford to spend hundreds of dollars to set up their dot-com presence without knowing how successful it will be! We've seen results of high expectations and over spending with demise of many well-known companies as reported in news recently.

It doesn't have to be this way!

Are you planning to sell products or services?

You do NOT necessarily need expensive shopping cart software or merchant accounts to sell your products or services. You can begin your online venture by setting up a few of your most popular items or services that can be purchased online. Once a customer has made a purchase, you can then follow up with details on how to purchase additional items.

There are low cost ecommerce solutions that can help you start conducting business online without breaking bank.

First, determine exactly how sophisticated your ordering process needs to be. Then decide which of following options best suits your business needs.

Option A - PayPal

Set up a Premier Account with PayPal. PayPal is a stable and secure company that has been around long enough to establish a credible reputation. I can personally vouch for them, I use them consistently.

Benefits:

Doing Business As: You have option of using a business name or your personal name, regardless of how your bank account is registered.

Low Cost: There are no monthly fees and no set up fees. That’s right - it’s free. A small fee is with-held each time a transaction (purchase) is processed.

Hassle Free They process all orders and notify you when payment is received.