Google's 1-1/2 year Checkout Experiment

Great product, or a solution looking for a problem?

[jwolthuis]

Since Google Checkout was introduced in June 2006, it's gathered a lot of attention; from both merchants who love it as well as those who don't see the point of it. Some view it as the 'PayPal Killer', while others say the battle has been lost.

Now that the free introductory period comes to an end (all sales were processed free of charge until Feb 1st), are you planning on continuing to offer Google Checkout on your site?

What impact has it made on your sales? Is Google Checkout the solution to merchant trust on the web, or is it a solution looking for a problem?

[DryFire]

From Google’s perspective I think it makes sense. They get to make a percentage off of each order that goes through their system, while collecting purchasing data from everyone who uses their system. This would allow Google to serve ads to customers from companies that the customers had previously purchased from. People are more likely to purchase again from a company that they have previously purchased from… and companies are more likely buy adsense ads if they convert…

[Reflections]

Yes, this experiment really helpful from business point of view.

[SEOnewb]

Google has done and is doing so many things right and so many things wrong with Google Checkout...

Consumer Side Positives:
*Google Checkout is easy, quick and convenient, once you set it up, it's ABC-123.
*Trust - I think even novice internet shoppers with a higher-then-average level of timidity regarding ecommerce safety would be easily convinced of trust from the Google Checkout Logo.
*Allows customers avoid unwanted emails via confidential purchases. (Although, this I don't understand too much - If you don't trust an ecommerce site enough to not spam you without opting-in to their email program, why the heck are you doing business with them in the first place...must be that Google trust thing?)

Consumer Side Negatives:
*Lack of flow from website checkout pattern.
*Lengthy checkout process for initial purchase.
*Yet another company holding all your CC info.

Merchant Side Positives:
*Big 'Google Checkout' Banner on Adwords - Yay! - Seriously, I suspect CTR increases dramatically with this bonus graphic.
*Free processing per amount spent on Adwords.
*Fraud Protection
*Another option for customer payment (I consider this a positive, as I believe customers are more likely turned away by a lack of payment options - I do not believe customers get too confused by additional payment options)
*Directly deposits to bank account - does not need seperate withdraw ala PayPal.

Merchant Side Negatives:
*Very limited integration 1 - Thanks Google, you truly show your open minds with this one. (Yahoo Stores can only integrate Google Checkout by violating either Yahoo's or Google's TOS - Yahoo's TOS requiring checkout processing is understandably unchangeable due to billing standards - This is Google's problem.)
*Very limited integration 2 - Thanks again Google - break that smooth checkout flow?!?!?
*Very limited integration 3 - Yes maam, may I have another - Backend accounting complications - Thanks.
*Anonymous customer email option - What? - Seriously, Google...What?

Google - Change your TOS and make integration easier!

[CernyM]

Seriously, I suspect CTR increases dramatically with this bonus graphic.

Not so much. At least, not for us.

The integration with shipping systems is definitely troublesome.

[lorax]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld SEOnewb!

[privatebox]

My company operates in a Risky industry whereby we have a high proportion of charge-backs 2-5%.

We have chosen to steer clear of Pay Pal because they tend to lock accounts that receive charge-backs. What is google's stance on charge-backs?
For us chargebacks are a part of life, but I'm wondering if Google is as forgiving as our current merchant facilities.

[Reflections]

This is a good question. I am also searching the answer.