Accepting Credit Cards

[freesoft_2000]

Hi everyone,

I going to build a website but i need to add a shopping cart and a way of processing credit card (and cheques if possible) for the items that the user decides to buy. The thing is i do not know how to add a shopping cart or add a way to process credit cards.

Is there a free program that i can use to add a shopping cart?? if there is such a thing could someone post a link for me if it is of no inconvinience.

As for the credit card processing the company i am working for has a bank account in Hong Kong. Is there any services that are no so expensive that i could use so that what ever the user purchases the cash is deposited in the bank account in Hong Kong. The server that has the web page is in South Africa. I can use paypal but i am not sure if they add their service to a server in South Africa.

I am not sure where to start and any pointers would really be great.

Thank You

Yours Sincerely

Richard West

[cscgal]

I would begin by checking out script resources such as: http://www.hotscripts.com/PHP/Scripts_and_Programs/E-Commerce/Shopping_Carts/index.html

HotScripts is usually pretty decent. Also be sure to check out open source projects at www.sourceforge.net (do a search for "shopping cart")

[ElementalDistor]

Accepting credit cards cost money... monthly usually. Unless you have paypal... they just take a percentage. To some consumers, paypal is a bit of a turn off, but at the same time its a decent learning tool. If you're not sure how to add a shopping cart, they have pretty good tutorials. Also, www.oscommerce.com has decent and FREE shopping cart software, but i've found quite a few glitches as far as accepting credit cards goes.

I wish I had more info for you, but this is a problem I'm currently trying to fix myself, so once I figure out something, I'll be sure to post my solution! :) Good luck, and please let me know if you have any luck with anything else. I'd like to know.

[Corey Bryant]

You might check out www.2checkout.com for some information on credit cards. Also check with your bank to see what they might offer since you are not in the United States. For United States residents, you can sometime get a discount rate as low as 1.99% at times when companies run a special. Of course you also have an electronic payment gateway as well to deal with.

[raven2424]

oscommerce with paypal and then u have a shop that can accept paypal payments like credit cards and also many other payment methods!

[jewboy]

To accept credit cards online you typically need the following 3 components:

1. A merchant account: The two largest in the US are First Data/Paymentech and Nova. There are thousands upon thousands of resellers. You should not pay more than 2% of the transaction + about a quarter per transaction + a monthly fee - usually around $20. You will need to pass a credit check, as well as provide the processing bank with proof of financials. AMEX and Discover do not use resellers - you must apply directly. Their rates are about 1% or so higher than Visa/MC.

2. Payment Gateway: The largest is Verisign, then Authorize.net. The gateway acts as a virtual terminal. Your shopping cart will parse data through the gateway to charge or credit the card, or you can do so manually. The gateway also allows implementation of fraud protection features, such as AVS (address vertification system).

3. A shopping cart: There are thousands available. Many resellers of Visa/MC merchant accounts provide free basic carts. Make sure the cart you choose supports your payment gateway. It's more professional and less expensive to host your own shopping cart, rather than run it on a third party server. I recommend choosing a shopping cart that is SEO friendly - as you want the spiders to pick up the content stored in the cart.

I can write a whole book on the topic of accepting credit cards online. Above are the basics you should know to get started.

[mddv]

Use paypal checkout it is basic but powerful.

[skatewhale]

I would recommand Zencart for shopping cart program! It is based on Oscommerce but better! Check it out at www.zencart.com

[BenDover420]

freesoft2000 wrote:
"As for the credit card processing the company i am working for has a bank account in Hong Kong. Is there any services that are no so expensive that i could use so that what ever the user purchases the cash is deposited in the bank account in Hong Kong."

PayPal is rather unweildy for many buyers. Banks are behind the curve in online purchasing so charge outrageous fees.
Try the card processor and gateway offered here- http://www.micro-fx.com/ecommerce.htm

There is a link on that page to an extensive list of compatable shoppingcart solutions that are already set up for this application.

Ben

[wilson2]

chronopay might be most accurate solution for E Europe.

[mddv]

2checkout is also a great payment gatway that i have only begun to use. I have found that it is a great tool but there is a downside to them is that they will send you a check for your payments on your request. If they had a bank transfer option it would be more better in that regard. But no doubt they provide a great service and the fees arent all that bad.

[Sperbonzo]

To accept credit cards online you typically need the following 3 components:

1. A merchant account: The two largest in the US are First Data/Paymentech and Nova. There are thousands upon thousands of resellers. You should not pay more than 2% of the transaction + about a quarter per transaction + a monthly fee - usually around $20. You will need to pass a credit check, as well as provide the processing bank with proof of financials. AMEX and Discover do not use resellers - you must apply directly. Their rates are about 1% or so higher than Visa/MC. 2. Payment Gateway: The largest is Verisign, then Authorize.net. The gateway acts as a virtual terminal. Your shopping cart will parse data through the gateway to charge or credit the card, or you can do so manually. The gateway also allows implementation of fraud protection features, such as AVS (address vertification system). 3. A shopping cart: There are thousands available. Many resellers of Visa/MC merchant accounts provide free basic carts. Make sure the cart you choose supports your payment gateway. It's more professional and less expensive to host your own shopping cart, rather than run it on a third party server. I recommend choosing a shopping cart that is SEO friendly - as you want the spiders to pick up the content stored in the cart. I can write a whole book on the topic of accepting credit cards online. Above are the basics you should know to get started.

Very good post Avi, and all quite accurate. I would add to it, however, that a lot of the providers, systems and costs quoted by you only apply to US based businesses. Visa's cross-border acquiring regulations make it impossible for a business entitiy not incorporated in the US to have an acquiring account in the US, and most ACH (online check) providers will not deal with offshore companies either.

Basically, when a company is located outside the US there is an entirely new set of circumstances that apply. There are still plenty of merchant banks that deal with online processing in each VISA determined region, but the costs are quite different. There are a few ACH providers that will deal with offshore companies, but again, the rates are often higher, etc... (....and I could also go on to write a book here. :) ).

[Corey Bryant]

I would add to it, however, that a lot of the providers, systems and costs quoted by you only apply to US based businesses. Visa's cross-border acquiring regulations make it impossible for a business entitiy not incorporated in the US to have an acquiring account in the US, and most ACH (online check) providers will not deal with offshore companies either.

Cardservice will actually support international merchant with a 4% discount rate and a monthly limit of $10,000.

[Sperbonzo]

Cardservice will actually support international merchant with a 4% discount rate and a monthly limit of $10,000.

ah HA! That is True! Thanks Corey, I forgot about that! :)

[rickross]

i need a visa and master credit card and billing with the cvv

[Sperbonzo]

i need a visa and master credit card and billing with the cvv

Please feel free to contact me. I would be glad to help.

.

[abhicho]

i think paypal is a good option to accept money. it is safe and also you have instant access to your account.

[johnedwin]

Since the advent of the Internet, the dynamics of business have changed. Today's companies put forth as much effort to create websites that facilitate business as they do to run the company itself. If your business isn't online, you are at a disadvantage.Having a website enables you to reach a wider audience and far more potential customers.
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johnedwin

[ronbarkin]

http://accept-credit-cards-online.com set my website up to accept credit cards. I was approved the next day. My funds are in my bank account in 2 days. They had no set up fees and I was not put under and sort of contract. $15 a month. Well worth it. Lowest rates I could find also.

[tokmik]

Have you checked out http://www.merchantaccountsllc.com . They offer low rate transactions. Well check it out.