Choosing a multi-vendors shopping cart or multiple storefront shopping cart might seem scary when you look at the costs involved. Shopping cart solutions: multiple storefronts pricing and costs take into account many factors that make it impossible to simply compare the base monthly fee of each product.

By the time you calculate everything included, you could fork out anywhere from about $60 to several hundred dollars each month for a multiple storefront shopping cart. While fees can vary based on factors like credit card processing and transaction fees, upgrades, hosting, server configurations, web design and integration and support and maintenance plans, this guide focuses on three specific areas that can directly impact overall and monthly fees you'll pay:

1. Charging extra for additional storefronts from a multi-store shopping cart vendor.

2. Paying more each month to sell more items from a shopping cart for multiple stores.

3. Avoiding monthly fees with a perpetual license for shopping cart -- multiple storefronts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know whether you'll pay extra for storefronts using multiple vendor storefront software

Some multiple store shopping cart software solutions don't charge for additional storefronts, while others do. Those that do charge a monthly fee for additional storefronts often charge a one-time additional store setup fee, too.

I recommend: To avoid paying extra for multiple vendor storefront software, click on the pricing tab to learn more about WebStore by Amazon. You pay about $60 a month and aren't charged extra for adding additional WebStores to your account. For more capability, though, you might decide it worthwhile to pay for additional storefronts. The tiered-pricing structure of multi-store shopping cart software from AmeriCommerce lets you choose the plan that works best for you. You'll pay about $50 a month for each additional storefront, unless you opt for their Platinum plan where you'll pay about $40 a month for each additional storefront.

Watch for limits on the number of products you can sell with multiple stores shopping cart software

While comparing the different options of shopping cart solutions: multiple storefronts, pay close attention to the maximum number of products you can sell. Some multiple stores shopping cart providers base a portion of their pricing on the number of items you sell, while others set no limits on quantity.

I recommend: SearchFit shopping cart multiple stores software plans range from roughly $10 to $50 a month for base pricing and accommodate 25 to 250 products depending on the package you choose. At IA Modules, shopping cart for multiples stores plans can handle 250 or 14,000 products respectively at the two lowest price points. Its enterprise and POS plans let you sell as many products as you want.

Enjoy the ease of a perpetual license for a multi vendor shopping cart

To avoid paying monthly fees that can vary widely, look for a shopping cart multi-vendor solution you can own with a one-time-payment for a perpetual license.

I recommend: Purchase iScripts Multicart, a multiple vendor shopping cart solution that doesn't require hours to decipher. You pay about $100 for a perpetual license that supports unlimited sellers and products, and then you only need to decide on your support and upgrade package, whether you want the software installed for you, graphic design service and copyright removal. If your budget permits, take a look at Interspire Shopping Cart Virtual Mall. At about $4,000, you can set up as many as 200 user or vendor accounts selling from one online storefront. Then you simply select a maintenance package and decide on professional installation, design and integration services.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Because a multi-store shopping cart can put a dent in your budget, definitely take advantage of free trials before purchasing software and make sure you have a solid grasp of different fees you may or may not pay when deciding if a particular multiple store shopping cart is right for your business.

Today more than ever, a multi store shopping cart solution is ideal for businesses with an online presence. You can use a shopping cart for multiple stores to combine the business presence of several small businesses, or it can be used to join diverse online stores for a business with products in a number of difference niches. The good news is that you can implement this kind of product without a high degree of technical expertise or having to hire an expensive consultant.

There are a few ways to set up a multiple vendor shopping cart:

1. Purchase a multiple store shopping cart software package.

2. Use multiple vendor shopping cart solutions from your web store hosting provider.

3. Hire a freelance designer to assist with customizing your multi vendor shopping cart.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Install shopping cart software that includes a multiple vendor shopping cart

Many e-commerce shopping cart packages have built-in support for a multiple store shopping cart. If you use one of these software packages, you can simply follow the software vendor's instructions about how to best use the software in a multi-store environment.

I recommend: AmeriCommerce shopping cart software is designed specifically with multiple storefronts in mind. SmartWin Technology also features an online shopping cart package with an option for a shopping cart for multiple stores.

Rely on your web store hosting provider for multiple vendor shopping carts

Many hosting providers offer shopping cart solutions as an added value to their customers. These applications may be part of a hosting package, or they may be an extra feature that you can purchase to go along with your online store hosting.

I recommend: GoDaddy.com offers an online shopping cart with options for multiple storefronts. Network Solutions features a package that includes multiple vendor storefront software as well.

Hire a designer for your multi vendor shopping cart to save money and guarantee customization

Many professional web designers can create shopping cart solutions: Multiple storefronts are just one of many challenges these professionals face regularly. Finding a freelance worker is a great way to get this sort of programming done in a customizable and economical way. Freelance web sites are a wonderful resource for this. At these sites, providers bid against one another for your business.

I recommend: ScriptLance is one website where you can find web designers willing to create and program your multiple cart solution. Elance also has programmers for hire. Each of the sites has its own policies as it pertains to hiring programmers, so make sure you know the rules before going in.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Test your multiple storefront shopping cart thoroughly before you release it to the public. You need to make certain that you have the features and functionality you want and that the software accurately performs transactions.