Self Publishing Your
Own Ebooks
Part 7 Accept Credit Cards / Payments
Once you've taken the necessary steps to protect your
ebook, your next step will be to set up an online payment system to enable
you to accept credit cards through your web site.
Don't let this process intimidate you, as it is much easier than you may
think. There are many professional companies on the Internet that will assist
you. If you'd like to get your own merchant account, you can do so right
online. If you'd rather not have your own merchant account, there are companies
online that will process your credit card orders for you.
Merchant Accounts
If you decide to get your own merchant account, you will
also need access to a secure server and a shopping cart system. A secure
server will protect your customers information. A shopping cart system will
provide your customer with a running total of what they have ordered and
the total cost.
The following websites can provide you with a merchant account so that you
can accept credit cards:
Total Merchant Services (TMS)
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/web/jump.cgi?ID=2332
This outstanding company comes highly recommended by Derek Gehl - author
of the #1 selling online marketing course, "Insider Secrets to Marketing
Your Business on the Internet."
The TMS Merchant account, for Internet transactions, will enable you to accept
Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. They offer two merchant
processing software packages to choose from. The first package is the TotalPay
powered by Authorize.Net™ Virtual Terminal. This package will enable
you to authorize, process, and manage credit card transactions from any computer
with an Internet connection and a Web browser. This package ordinarily runs
$995, but for a limited time is being offered for only $397. The second package
is the TotalPay powered by Authorize.Net™ Virtual Terminal that includes
the Total Merchant Manager Shopping Cart. This package includes everything
the first package includes, plus all of the following:
- Customizable Shopping Cart System
- UPS Shipping Module
- Links to Virtual Terminal
- Free Initial Installation
Their discount rate is 2.4% and $0.35 per transaction fee. Monthly fees include
a $10 monthly statement fee and a $10 gateway fee that includes secure, online,
real-time credit card and e-cheque processing and only applies to merchants
processing transactions through their Internet payment gateway.
Third Party Credit Card Processors
If you'd rather not have your own merchant account, you
can still accept credit card payments by using a third party credit card
processor that will process your credit card orders for you. There are usually
no monthly fees. They charge a "per transaction" fee and send you payment
for all of your orders processed, minus their fee and a reserve fee. A reserve
fee is withheld to cover any charge backs you may have. If you have no charge
backs within a period of time, your reserve will be refunded to you. Each
company has their own guidelines in regard to reserves.
The following websites will process credit card orders
for you:
=> PayPal
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/t.cgi?l=pp
PayPal will enable any business or consumer with an email address to securely
send and receive payments online. You can also accept Visa, MasterCard, American
Express, Discover and electronic checks. You can sell with PayPal through
an online auction, on your own website, or as part of an online marketplace.
They also offer recurring billing. There are no setup fees. They charge 2.9%
+ 30¢ per transaction. Services available for US and non-US merchants.
=> ClickBank
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/t.cgi?l=cb
ClickBank will enable you to accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover,
Eurocard, Visa-Debit, MasterCard-Debit, Novus cards and electronic checks.
They charge a one-time $49.95 activation fee, and a $1 + 7.5% fee per sale.
There are no monthly fees. The great thing about this company is that they'll
enable you to run an affiliate program. Services available for US and non-US
merchants.
=> 2Checkout.com
http://www.2checkout.com/
2Checkout.com enables you to accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and
Discover. They also offer recurring billing and a free shopping cart. There
is a $49 set up fee. There are no monthly fees. They charge 5.5% + $0.45
fee per sale. Services available for US and non-US merchants.
If you're just starting out, you may want to use one of the third party credit
card processors, as this is the easiest route. Each company provides you
with step by step instructions to assist you in getting your web site set
up to accept credit cards. The great thing about third party credit card
processors is that they handle everything for you. You don't have to hassle
with processing your credit card payments or charge backs, as all of this
is taken care of for you.
In order to successfully sell your ebooks on the Internet, you must accept
credit cards. In addition, you must make the ordering process as simple as
possible. With today's technology, even the smallest home-based business
can now accept credit credits almost instantly. Visit one of the web sites
mentioned above and get your web site set up today. Your success depends
on it.
In part 8 of this series, we will focus on setting up your own affiliate
program.
Copyright © Shelley Lowery
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design course, Web Design
Mastery.
http://www.webdesignmastery.com
And, Ebook Starter - Give Your Ebooks the look and feel of a REAL book.
http://www.ebookstarter.com
Visit Web-Source.net to sign up for a complimentary subscription to Etips
and receive a copy of the acclaimed ebook, "Killer Internet Marketing
Strategies."
http://www.web-source.net
You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print,
in your ebook or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author
bylines are included.
Part Six
Part Eight
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