So you're looking to start an online business and need an easy, inexpensive way to create an online store - but you're not sure where to start? This article has you covered! Here, you'll learn the three vital steps to establishing your own ecommerce web site.

1. Create your online business plan - You have to know what you want to do before you can start an online business. Fortunately, this doesn't have to be a long, drawn-out process. It also doesn't have to be anything official.

For starters, get a spiral notebook and jot down your plans for your website. What pages will you have? How many products do you want to sell? Where do you see your site in 3 months, 6 months or a year from now? What are your goals for this site and how will your store be different than your competitors?

2. Hire a web designer - There are lots of e-commerce web site design companies out there. To make sure you choose a reputable designer, look through their portfolio.

Check for testimonials and ask for references. Many good designers will offer a free web design quote. Take advantage of this and compare prices and features to get what you want.

3. Get a reliable shopping cart - There are about as many shopping cart solutions online as there are web designers, so finding a good one can be a challenge. You can always ask your designer or web developer what they recommend.

One package that I consistently recommend to my clients is Turn Key Web Tools' shopping cart - particularly for retail stores doing business online.

The shopping cart can be customized to blend in perfectly with your web design, and you have all the tools you need to manage, ship and stock products with ease. If you're on a tight budget, you might also want to try a Yahoo! Store, although your custom web design options are limited.

Overall, these three steps should get you started toward having your own ecommerce web site designed and online in a short time. Good luck in your business!