Exploring Your Checkout Options

When setting up an e-commerce site, an integral part of your design is deciding on how your customers will actually purchase products from you. In most online stores, customers are given the option to pay using credit cards via a secure card processing portal, or they can make payment from their Paypal account. In addition, there are also other payment gateway options through Google Checkout or Yahoo Store. In order to help you decide on which option is the best for your e-commerce site, here are a few things to consider.

What Type of E-Commerce Store Do You Have?

The advantage of having an e-commerce site is that with little overhead you can have a global presence. Customers from all over the world can browse your site and select products to purchase. However, if you plan to ship to an international market then you need to know if it is a feasible option for you. Keep in mind that in many developing countries, there is widespread corruption. Customers requesting that products get sent to a remote address may not receive them and then they'll want a refund. Also not all courier or delivery companies have an international network. When starting out, it is probably a good idea to stick to a local market. That way you can build relationships with local suppliers and establish a level of credibility with your customers.

The checkout solution you choose will also depend on if you are selling a physical product that needs to be shipped or a product that can be downloaded off the Web once the transaction is complete. It is also a good idea to research more about the most popular checkout options. Customers who are used to shopping online will be familiar with Paypal, Google Checkout, Yahoo Store or secure credit card purchasing services. Make sure that the checkout option you choose is one that will attract customers to your website.

The Different Checkout Options

If you have an existing credit card merchant account, speak to your card processing company to find out about their e-commerce solutions. Quite often, they will have systems that will easily integrate with your existing back office software. In this way, you will not need to go through the admin of signing up for an additional merchant account; instead, you can streamline the whole set-up process. Find out about their shopping cart and checkout facilities, and see if they fit with your e-commerce requirements. Often a quick call to your merchant's support desk can provide you with a wealth of valuable information. Customer service agents can help explain the checkout process and options available. When setting up your website, make sure you clearly display what forms of payment you accept.

A widely used payment mechanism for online transactions is Paypal. Paypal is a worldwide money transfer organization that allows you to pay and receive money into your credit card or checking account. It is represented in most countries worldwide and has a good reputation for being a safe and secure payment mechanism. Many online shoppers have a Paypal account and use it to make their online purchases. When setting up your e-commerce site, it would be wise to include a Paypal payment option as it is a widely used payment mechanism.

Google Checkout allows customers to make payments on a secure platform. For secure payment processing online, their track record shows an impressive 98 percent. In addition, the Google Checkout buttons have a number of features that can help you grow your business. The checkout process is easy to use and facilitates a speedy checkout. This means that even new customers can have a hassle-free shopping experience. In terms of helping you grow your business, Google statistics show that 10 percent more customers click on advertisements that are displayed with the checkout button. In this way, you can be increasing your repeat and referral sales.

Yahoo has always had a strong online presence and they offer customized e-commerce solutions that can help put your business on the map. Their checkout and merchant services are just two aspects of their e-commerce solutions. The advantage of using their product is that you have access to a wealth of knowledge through their customer support center. They provide you with tracking statistics so you can see which products are selling best and how much customers are spending on average. They also have software that interfaces with existing merchant accounts.