Look at the format options while you shop for self-help books online. Only a few retailers offer the direct download of audio books, so check the "frequently asked questions" of the website to find out if the store even offers this format.
Double check the secure status of an online purchase before you enter any of your personal information, even if it's a website that you often use. If you are buying self-help books directly from the publisher's or author's website, look to see if the transaction is guaranteed to be private.
Investigate the file type and bit rate of any audio file that you're going to download. If it isn't a common format like MP3 or WAV, then be sure you have an application on your computer that can handle the audio.
Find out if there are re-download options or write-protection limitations on your audio self-help books. For example, you should be able to download the file a second time for backup purposes and burn it to CDs or DVDs so that you can listen to it away from the computer. See if you can use the files on your favorite digital media player or if you'll be required to convert them to a different audio format.
Purchase the files and download them to your computer. If you're using a dial-up Internet connection, take steps to prevent your network connection from being interrupted during the transfer. Check your bank account balance online to see that you weren't charged multiple times for your order.