Starting an Online Business All-in-One For Dummies®, 3rd Edition

Realizing What You Can Have: Cost

Most storefront solutions claim that the sky is the limit on functionality and scalability. They're not far off. But, as you probably realize, your budget ultimately becomes either the enabler or the deterrent.

Figure out what you can afford. After you do that, you have to decide which elements you can't live without. As you consider what's most important, keep in mind the way that storefront solutions are typically priced:

• Monthly fee: Most often, you're provided a monthly price for using the service, which should include your monthly hosting cost, too. You can cancel most monthly agreements at any time, as long as you follow the store's termination procedures.
• Annual fee: You have the option of prepaying for a year or more of service. You usually receive a slight discount for paying annually rather than monthly.

  When you sign up for a storefront annual account, you're prepaying for a year of service in advance. You can always cancel your agreement before the 12 months end. But, in most cases, none of your money is refunded, so you lose the money that you prepaid for any remaining months.

• Tiered pricing: Storefronts typically use a tiered pricing structure to suit all levels of need. They group benefits and features into different types of pricing plans. For example, if you need less disk space or fewer features, choose a basic plan for a lower ...