"For the purchasing agents, it's all about relationships, consistency, quality and reliability," said John-Gabriel Henry, a Jupiter analyst.

Jupiter analysts attributed the reduced expectations to the economic slowdown and the slow starts of online subscription services.

"Part of the problem here is that these raise social issues," said Rob Leathern, a Jupiter analyst.

"The tricky business is going to be getting people to pay for services rather than just using them for free," said Billy Pidgeon, a Jupiter analyst.

"Europ@Web would have been a massive force if it came along three years ago," said Mr. Beauvillain, the Jupiter analyst.

"This looks like a pretty good business," said David Card, a Jupiter analyst.

Despite such hurdles, Mr. Card, the Jupiter analyst, said the new companies had some advantages.

Another obstacle that could stand in the way of comparison-shopping sites, said Mr. Cassar, the Jupiter analyst, is credibility.

"Retailers have been treating their online and off-line businesses as separate entities, but that's not what consumers want," said David Daniels, a Jupiter analyst.

Mark Mooradian, a Jupiter analyst, said, "File sharing is once again on the rapid rise."