eCommerce in Iowa

As an eCommerce provider, we have to help businesses/organizations make the best decision for their online payment needs.  Throught the years things have changes from one type of Merchant Account to another.  We align with several great providers that include Authorize.Net, PayPal, Google Checkout, and a couple of other options.

Throughout these trials, uses, and experience I have accumulated a bevy of knowledge that help propel clients into making the best decision for their needs.  I don’t want you to get something setup, just because “the other guy is doing it”.   Everyone has a different need, and some needs are just slightly different.

Regardless, I want to lay out some helpful information to help you determine the best FREE merchant/payment solution.  Although both Google Checkout and PayPal provide great services respectively, one solution works better for some companies while the other fits more succinctly.  So here are my tidbits of thought:

GOOGLE CHECKOUT vs. PAYPAL WEBSITE PAYMENTS

 Cost of Setup for both: FREE

Processing fees:
Google Checkout = 2.2% + .20 per transaction
Google processing is FREE if you spend equal or less than 10 times  your Adwords spending.  E.g. if you spend $1,000 in Adwords, then your first $10,000 in processing fees are FREE!

PayPal Payments = 1.9-2.9% +.30 per transaction
Paypal has a sales-volume base for the percentage.  So the more volume that you take in, the better the discount rate (percentage).

The security of both applications are unsurpassed, and are just as trustworthy (if not more PCI compliant) than paid solutions.

Now these are just some points on integrating one of the solutions for your ecommerce store checkout process.  There are many other options you can utilize from these providers as well.

You can invoice from either provider through email invoices.  Easily bill your client.

I have to admit that for your small business, PayPal can be the most advantageous of the two.  There are many other services that you can leverage from PayPal, including gaining control over your funds a lot faster. 

Google Checkout is integrated into your bank account.  As soon as GC processes a payment, the funds take 3-4 business days to automatically transfer into your bank account.  In the meantime, you do not have access to those funds.

Paypal however provides instant access to your funds via the PayPal Account.  You can send money as soon as 30 seconds after the transaction completes.  You can also transfer funds into your bank account (again 3-4 business days).  OR - sign up for the FREE PayPal debit card!  PayPal does provide a FREE debit card (Mastercard).  The card allows you access to your funds IMMEDIATELY.  I would suggest using the card as a credit card, because you will get 1% cash-back on every purchase that you ’sign’ for!  Thereby reducing your transaction fee by 1%…

PayPal provides recurring payment solutions, Google does not have this functionality as of yet.  PayPal is accepted as a form of payment on many merchant websites, whereas Google is simply a ‘checkout’ process.

You decide what works best for you.  Google Checkout is simple, especially handy if you utilize Adwords.  PayPal is a lot more flexible and can help manage funds/billing a little better.

If you have any questions about these or other solutions, give me a call - I am here to help you succeed.  I support small business, and I hope that you do as well!

To forward thinking…
- Christian