Other options almost as cheap as Paypal?

Paypal Credit Card Processing Payment

[humandesigner]

Hello,

As I've read on this forum that proposing only Paypal on your website isn't a good idea and since I've noticed that I got not even a single order from oversea, I'm planning to integrate more payment systems on my website.

I just had a look to WorldPay, and I found them too expensive compared to Paypal. What are the other affordable options then?

Thanks for helping! :)

[humandesigner]

BTW, I'm not based in the US.

[grobe]

I think you need to state specifically where you are based to get useful responses--many of the options are geographically limited. I think the people who talk about the very good rates they get are doing a substantial volume--something I don't think applies to you. But there are threads about this quite regularly, I suggest you browse the old posts.

[humandesigner]

Hello Grobe and thanks for your input :)

Well, I'm based in France and I've read several old posts on the subject. So far, the websites I've visited propose either a monthly fee or services limited to the US. I've failed to find one similar to paypal which won't take my money even when I don't sell anything.

But the more I think of it, the more I'm starting to doubt that Paypal is the reason why foreign orders are so scarce on my website. Here in France, customers trust Paypal so I don't see why it would be different elsewhere.

[gazza]

Only accepting paypal will severely limit your customer base. A lot of people love them and a lot hate them.

You need something else that allows you to take cards w/o memberships or restrictions.

What to use? I am still looking myself...

[Lofty]

Search-incentive covers all fees for transactions done through it's engine.

[webtress]

I don't think its a question of customers trusting paypal at least in the US, but more of letting people know that no account is required (US merchants only their looking to expanding this). This is something that paypal needs to market to the public. Even though I have it clearly stated 95-98% of sales still come through 2checkout. (no monthly mims or fees)

[gogoflorist]

I run a website selling flowers and gifts in Thailand. I have been using PayPal and iKobo for some time. I saw in this forum that there is a way to set my PP account so that buyers outside the US dont have to set up a verification and account to make a payment. I have yet to find out how to do this. Someone from PP on this forum told me that 80% of buyers (even outside of USA) dont have to pass any verification checks to set up a PP account (to make a payment less than $200 i think he said?)
I am now looking at 2checkout.com but their customer service seems nearly as bad as iKobo's. I am trying to find out if I can parse extended delivery information though their system, for instance its no good having the shipping address for the products the same as the billing address (sending flowers to other people) and i need a section so that they can include a greeting card message. I cant do this with iKobo so i prompt customers to send this info to me after they make a purchase but customers dont like doing this.
I would be grateful if someone could have a look at my payment pages and let me know if it is possible with 2chackout- perhaps a 2checkout rep lurking here?
A Payment page: [gogoflorist.com...]

You see i can do this with PP. Does 2 checkout work in a similar way.

Also do 2checkout have verification checks for their buyers? If so what? How long does it take?

Thanks!

[Shannon]

I use and recommend 2checkout. They don't have the best customer service imo, but they do have a help ticket system, there are no monthly fee's, and the pages flow with your header and footer, so the user experience is congruent with your site... generally speaking.

I have never had a problem with the payment routine, nor have my customers. I have never had a customer complain about it or say that it didn't work for them.

I believe it goes something like...
-1 time $50 sign up.
-International merchants accepted.
-.45c and 5.5% discount rate, but there are no other fees at all... no fees if you make no sales.

Regarding your need for a gift card text area, I don't know how the details might work, but you could tell 2checkout to pass the buyer to a page on your site after the purchase, where the buyer fills out the gift card. So the experience flows for the buyer and you just need to associate the order with the gift card form submission on your side. I'm very sure it could be even more practical, as 2checkout supports passback routines (I'm not much of a web scripter at this time, so you might know more than me about that kind of thing)

Cheers.