Ecommerce Software

I've had it happen again and again. A friend or acquaintance is thinking about starting a little Internet business (whether for fun or profit) and they ask what kind of investment they might expect. The same question comes up over and over, "what kind of ecommerce software should I use?" My answer often shocks them. "Do you really want to--or really need to--buy ecommerce software to get going?" The intent is to get them thinking ...