Despite the sometimes-dismal headlines, e-commerce is expected to balloon to $1.3 trillion by 2003, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA). So if you've been shying away from setting up an online storefront because of the shaky e-commerce climate, you might want to reconsider. If you think it's time for your business to begin taking orders, where do you start?

The key ingredient in an online store is a catalog. You can establish a catalog in-house with a software package if you have the technical expertise to implement and maintain it, as well as access to a secure server. But your best bet is to save creating a catalog in-house until the sales start rolling in. Outsource for now - it could save you money, and it probably will save you a huge headache.

Hosting services like Yahoo! Store, Earthlink Biz, Bigstep.com, Microsoft bCentral, and Verio have catalog hosting services especially designed for smaller businesses, for those that already have a Web site as well as those that are going online for the first time.

One advantage of working with a site like Yahoo! Store or Microsoft bCentral is their potential ability to deliver more visitors. Both sites generate a lot of traffic that they can funnel to your store. Such marketing exposure isn't possible with a standalone service like Verio.

The big draw of these hosting services is their affordability, but there's a reason why they have the right price tag. You are responsible for a big chunk of the work when it comes to getting your site up and running.

It's not as scary as it sounds. Although it will be up to you to build your site, these services have user-friendly software templates that help you design your storefront. And step-by-step instructions will let you upload your inventory and create product codes (SKUs) easily. Even if you don't have a domain name or a merchant account yet, these services will either have ways to set them up or give you tips on establishing them.

You'll be charged a monthly fee, which usually depends on the number of items in your inventory. If the service is going to host your site, look into their package deals to see if you can save on monthly fees. Some services also charge a one-time setup fee, a domain name fee, and transaction fees. Depending on the extras that come with your package, such as in-depth analysis of site traffic, you can pay anywhere from $25 for basic services to $500 for higher-end services.

Don't be afraid to seek out a service that can meet your specific needs. If you have Web design experience, look into a service that allows you to be more hands-on when it comes to the design of your site.

Although it may seem like a big step, with the options available to small businesses, if you want to try selling online you shouldn't be intimidated. My philosophy at this point is if you've got something to sell - go for it!