Member Avatar for 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

  • 18 Contributors
  • 21 Replies
  • 437 Views
  • 4 Years Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by PerfectMOney

Dani AI

Generated

Quick practical primer for Richard West and anyone finding this thread later. There are two realistic routes to accept cards from a site hosted abroad while settling to a Hong Kong account: a hosted third‑party checkout (fast to deploy, minimal paperwork) or a full merchant‑account + gateway integration (more control and usually lower long‑term fees but more setup and compliance). Several members raised those tradeoffs — and pushed shopping‑cart options, while and highlighted merchant/gateway and cross‑border constraints.

A compact, actionable checklist:

  • Decide business and settlement needs (which currencies, where funds must land) and ask the Hong Kong bank what acquiring or settlement options they support and what KYC documents they require.
  • Pick checkout model: hosted (outsourced pages, reduced PCI scope) or integrated (cart on own server, gateway API/tokenization). Match the choice to the server tech and desired customer experience.
  • Verify gateway compatibility with the chosen cart and that the gateway can settle to a Hong Kong account. Confirm settlement timing, reconciliation reports, supported card brands and chargeback rules.
  • Secure the site: TLS, strong cipher suites, keep server libraries up to date. Use tokenization or hosted fields to reduce PCI exposure.
  • Use the gateway sandbox and exercise the full flow (payment, webhook/notification, refund, chargeback) before going live. Reconcile test vs live data.

Common pitfalls and troubleshooting notes:

  • Declines caused by country/currency mismatches, 3D Secure, AVS/CVV rules, or BIN restrictions — test with cards that simulate these scenarios.
  • Integration failures often come from firewall/egress rules, wrong API keys, incorrect return/webhook URLs, or TLS version mismatches — add detailed logging and replay tests.
  • Expect chargebacks and plan documentation and evidence retention for disputes and reconciliations.

Clarifying note: this thread is dated and vendors, fees and regulatory details change. For a quick market test, a hosted checkout gets a store live fast; for scaling and margins, migrate later to a merchant account plus gateway that explicitly supports Hong Kong settlement.

Recommended Answers

All 21 Replies

Member Avatar for 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.

Member Avatar for 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.

Member Avatar for raven2424

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

Member Avatar for 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.

Member Avatar for mddv

Use paypal checkout it is basic but powerful.

Member Avatar for skatewhale

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

Member Avatar for 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-

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

Ben

Member Avatar for wilson2

chronopay might be most accurate solution for E Europe.

Member Avatar for 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.

Member Avatar for 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. :) ).

Member Avatar for 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.

Member Avatar for 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! :)

Member Avatar for rickross

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

Member Avatar for 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.


.

Member Avatar for abhicho

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

Member Avatar for 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.
--------------------------------
johnedwin

Member Avatar for ronbarkin

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.

Member Avatar for Jen0608

goodluck in finding a good script for your shopping cart.
if its for free.., your lucky. if not.., i think it will cost you.

Member Avatar for PerfectMOney

and if you like to have a merchant account that accept multi payment system from paypal.credit card,and western union without you have to build the system with your own hand you can try plimus merchant service.Hit the keywords at Google to find the detail

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.