Streamlining checkout process

Hi everybody,

I have been setting up drupal, using eC, on a job search and job posting website. It has gone along pretty well, and I have gotten under the hood far enough to adapt themes, make a little custom module that alters some forms ... basic things, but nothing fancy (yet).

Here is my question: we are using the ec cart module for purchasers to process transactions. But it seems there are multiple pages of steps, where there could be (in this case) many fewer. some of this is due to the flexibility of the ec and cart modules (for example, purchasers on this site would only be getting one item at a time- but there is still options to purchase many). Or, for example, after making a purchase selection, the user goes to the /cart/view page,then a /cart/checkout (select payment method- maybe that is because I still have two options there)page, then to a /cart/review/ (place your order). Plus there can be one further step for the user to login, if they aren't already.

So question today is what is the easiest way to simplify and shorten the checkout process?