The Birth of a Successful
Internet Business
Part seven of ten -- Accepting Credit Card Payments through Your Web
Site
Accepting credit
card payments through your website is an absolute essential part of doing
business on the Internet. If you're not accepting online credit card payments
and processing orders online, you're losing a massive amount of business.
Studies have shown, you can increase your online sales up to 400% simply
by accepting credit cards. In addition, by offering a combination of payment
options, you can increase your sales even further.
With today's advanced technology, you can start accepting credit card payments
through your website almost instantly (depending on the service you select).
Preparing your website to process orders online can be as simple as pasting
some HTML code within your web page.
Accepting Credit Cards
There are many professional companies online that will enable you to accept
credit card payments through your website without a merchant account. These
companies are known as third party payment processing companies and provide
an invaluable service for homebased businesses.
Most companies will enable you to accept all major credit cards and electronic
checks. Some companies will also provide telephone billing and recurring
billing for paid subscription and membership sites. There may or may not
be a set up fee and there are usually no monthly fees. Some companies charge
a "percentage" and a "per transaction" fee. While others simply charge a
set percentage fee per transaction. They will process your orders and send
you payment for all your orders processed, minus their fee and a reserve
fee.
Credit Card 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.
Credit Card HTML Code
Once you've applied
with a company and/or have been approved and paid the setup fees, you can
immediately begin accepting payment. You will then be provided with special
coding to place within the HTML of your order page. When your customer clicks
on your order link or image, they will be taken to the processor's secure
server to process their purchase. Once their order has been processed, they
will then be directed back to a page on your website that you specify. This
page may be a download page, or even a "complete your purchase" page that
you can use to collect your customers' name and email address and then direct
them to your download page.
Once your customer places an order, you will instantly receive an email
notification letting you know that you've made a sale. Your account will
be instantly credited, minus the company fee, and you will be paid according
to the company's payment schedule.
Third Party Credit Card Companies
Third party processing companies are great for startup businesses, as if
you don't make any sales, you won't be charged a fee. You are only charged
a fee when and if you make a sale.
The following third party processing companies will enable you to accept
credit card payments through your website:
=> PayPal
http://www.paypal.com
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 credit cards 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.clickbank.com
ClickBank will enable you to accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover,
Eurocard, Visa-Debit, MasterCard-Debit, Novus credit 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 credit cards. 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.
Accepting credit card payments through your website is an essential part
of your online success. Don't put it off another day. Take your time and
select a company that will best suit your needs. It will be well worth your
effort.
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
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