So you're looking to have an ecommerce web site created and need a fast, affordable way to start selling online - but you're not sure where to start?This article can help you get started!Here, you'll learn the three crucial steps to setting up your own ecommerce store.

1. Create your online business plan - You have to know what you want to do before you can start an online business.Fortunately it doesn't take much time to do this. It doesn't have to be anything official either. 

   For starters, get a spiral notebook and jot down your plans for your website.How many pages will you have? How many products will you sell? How far will your site be in 3 months, 6 months or a year?  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. 

   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 you can't always customize the design the way you want.

In the end, these three steps can get you up and running quickly with your own ecommerce web site.All the best for your online business! 

P.S. If you enjoyed reading this article, you can find even more web design tips at http://www.iElectrify.com