Hesitating Starter

Every time I start my car it hesitates.
And I have to leve it running every time I go some where for a little while. Like when I'm in a store I have to look up my car while I'm in the store and its costing me in gas. So help me out, I don't think I need a new starter but I don't know that much about cars. I think its something about my battery casue when I'm on a hill it hesitates a liittle, but not as much when I'm on level ground. So there is a problem with the battery getting power to the starter. I've got an 88 Ford Escort GT.

try a new starter, with a warranty from Autozone or equivilant ...the escorts (particularly later models) go through a lot of starters and are known for it. They will develop dead spots within the unit. I'm on my 4th but only paid for the first one!