The easiest way to start a network of websites or you fist website is with a self hosted version of Word Press (Blog). The word press blog installation is simple an easy, and the virtual smorgasbord of free themes and free plugins.
That being said, we all run websites for the money. That’s why we are here. I came across a super cool plugin for wordpress that allows you to install your own shopping cart store. Yes you can sell directly now via your WP blog instead of attempting to shuffle the traffic off to a money page.
The plugin is called PhPurchase. It allows you to set up a word press store. It will track your orders, allow you to offer discounts, you can sell digital products or set up shipping options. The checkout process allows for customization as well as the store itself. It integrates will payment gateways like PayPal Website Payments Pro, PayPal Express Checkout, PayPal Website Payments Standard, eProcessing Network, Quantum Gateway, Authorize.net and any other payment gateway that supports the Authorize.net payment gateway API.
Now with all these features this is not a Free Plugin. But the license fee is a steal. Just $49.00 and you can have your shopping cart installed on your Wp Blog. The support staff is available and helpful for any problems, and they even have an affiliate program if you want to promote this cool cheap wordpress plugin.
This plug in isn’t free like some of the really buggy e-commerce plugins for wordpress, but it’s a fair value for sure.
http://www.phpurchase.com/
If you want to affialte with them
http://www.phpurchase.com/phpoet/affiliates/