Accepting Credit Cards

[Silverado4x4]

I know there are many threads about this, but I don't just want to accept credit cards.

On a site we own, we sell candles. Each order is unique, and so we would need a credit card processing company who can provide us with a shopping cart.

Any ideas?

[RKuhle]

I think your question could be answered with much better detail and experience in the e-Commerce Forum. There are quite a few members there who have used similar systems, including integrated shopping carts.

[Silverado4x4]

D'oh! I even looked around to see which would be the best forum. heh!

[beley]

Moved to e-commerce...

Well, "credit card processing" is a little vague. On the Internet you need more than just a "credit card processing" company.

There are companies out there that will do everything for you, even the shopping cart. See www.kagi.com for details. There are others, but I don't usually deal with them so can't be of much help. Kagi is pretty big though; a lot of software companies use them.

If you're not going to use one of those "all in one" services (which cost a lot of money), you'll need three things.
[list=1][*]Shopping Cart - There are a lot of free carts at www.hotscripts.com or check out www.shopsite.com - I really like it[*]Credit card processor - like Verisign (www.verisign.com) - they actually handle the credit card number on the Internet[*]Merchant Account - this is with your bank... this tells the processor if the funds are available in the customer's account and where to deposit the money (your account)[/list=1]
All these things are neccessary if you're not using the "all in 1" services. It can get pretty expensive but is well worth it... as most people won't buy if they can't use a credit card. They rarely ever send a check or other form of payment because they want it NOW!

Let me know if you need any more help... and good luck!

[Silverado4x4]

Thanks,

I've been look at www.ccnow.com. Are they reputable?

[Silverado4x4]

Whoa, nevermind. Looks like I've never been to this forum before!

Please ignore this thread!

[jconley2]

Depending on your location if you're leaning towards a 3rd Party Processor I'd suggest http://www.2checkout.com , http://www.revecom.com , http://www.propay.com (good for both real-time and manual processing). A service I just came upon the other day http://www.orderbutton.net offers an interesting setup, don't know much on them though. But of them all would personally recommend 2CheckOut.

CCNow is good, but I think their percentage cut is a bit steep, if I remember correctly. So is I-Bill's.

To your success,

Jim Conley II
Your Payment Acceptance Expert

[Silverado4x4]

Thanks Jim! 2checkout looks very promising.

[jaiem]

Personally, I don't like sites that link out to other url's for the shopping cart. It doesn't look reputable IMO.

If your business is doing well IMO it's better to spend some time to put a shopping cart system on your server rather then use a third party.

[jconley2]

2CheckOut allows for the shopping cart to be on your site. Their Perl-Shopping cart option has you install in on your server, it's not on 2CheckOuts like many 3rd Party companies have it.

Personally, I don't like 3rd Party companies, because after a certain point getting a real merchant account actually does save you money -- if you get in with the right company. But for those on a low budget and just wanting to test a business idea out then using a 3rd Party service is a wise decision at the beginning.

Nice part with merchant accounts is you can change to another provider (if service is bad or rates go up) without too many hassles and without incurring a cancelation fee, if you do it right.

To your success,

Jim Conley II
Your Payment Acceptance Expert