Handling Credit Cards

Paypal, Merc. Acct, or both?

[mep00]

My clients/associates (they're both) and I are setting up an site which will sell books and other products, offer articles and a newletter for free, and for paid members a expanded version of the nl, and a type of councling (for an additional fee). In 3-5 months after launch, we're expecting/hoping to be doing several hundred dollars gross a month (at least). The planned clientel are English speakers world wide. We are very optimistic because, while our main competitors are multi billion dollar corperations, we're exploiting and untouched niche.

The question is how best to hanlde e-transactions. Opinions are PayPal, Merc. Account w/ seamless proccessing, or both. If it matters, we are based in Israel, two of us have joint US and Israeli citizenship, and the third has South African and Israeli citizenship. We also currently have access to a personal bank account in the US as well as US mailing address (NY and VA). We expect the main markets to be US, Canada, S.A., and Australia.

I could also use some advise on setting up a merc. acct., if not for this venture, then for some other clients I have lined up.

Any technical issues are not of concern, as I have all the skills needed (including the ablity to quickly learn what I don't know). Hence, I need to know the process (most of which I think I already know), relivent legal details, and how customers will react to the various payment options.

Thanks

[jbinbpt]

For what it's worth, a lot of people think you affiliated with eBay when you say Paypal. I'm not suggesting that it is a bad system, I just want you to appreciate the perception.

As long as you already have a US bank, see about setting up a merchant account with them. It might not be the cheapest, but might be the easiest. However, I am not certain, but you might need to incorporate in the US to do this.

Good luck,
jb

[Sunshyn]

To my knowledge, any type of business is allowed to have a merchant account. Incorporation is certainly not a requirement unless, maybe, by the individual bank. However, banks do tend to empathize duration of having been in business, a factor which will likely hurt your chances there.

[John_Shaw]

My business is unincorporated and operated from my home, selling downloadable products. At one time a merchant account would not even be possible. There are several options now.

I use Verisign's Payflow Link system (they also have Payflow Pro for the pro types). I signed up with the acquiring bank (Total Merchant Services) through Verisign. There were also other options through Verisign. I have been very satisfied.

[fivaxis]

Paypal is good if you are on a budget but if you can afford it definitely go with a real shopping cart/merchant account.

Paypal sometimes makes customers go through a verification process that can take several days. I know if I ran into that I'd start looking somewhere else.

[Christi]

We've used CardServices International since our inception (6 years ago) for Visa/MasterCard, and direct with American Express. No complaints. You definitely need decent e-commerce software app though. If you want, sticky me for CardServices contact info.

Christi

[Jenstar]

Even if you don't end up using PayPal, it is a good idea that you set up an account anyway. There are people who don't want to give out their credit card number on the internet, but will happily use their PayPal account to pay.

[Essex_boy]

I get around 2% of my orders via paypal, get a credit card system set up on your site.

[Christi]

Y'know, we've been thinking of taking PayPal too. How does one set it up?