If you want to sell products and services online, you will need to be able to accept credit cards.

There are two main options you may use to accept charge card payments on your website.

1- Internet Merchant Account:

This is the most professional method for accepting credit cards online. A merchant account is an account with a bank (sometimes arranged through an authorized agent) which allows you to accept charge cards as payment for products and services. The account is set up in your business name and approved based on your
business credit standing.

For many small businesses, especially businesses that operate on the Internet only, obtaining a merchant account is cost prohibitive and sometimes difficult or impossible. Many banks don't like to work with small businesses,

2-Third party processor: (Payment Gateway)

A third party processor offers you the ability to accept charge cards for payment on your website without requiring a full merchant account. They do this by allowing you to "share" a merchant account with numerous other businesses.

Because charge cards normally don't allow sharing of merchant accounts, a special arrangement must be made. Typically the processor sets itself up as the legal "merchant" and signs your business on as a "contractor" for purposes of "fulfillment" of a sale. Technically, they are the merchant making the sale, you are a middleman who delivers the orders on behalf of the merchant.

In reality, you sell your own products and services from your own website just as you would with a full merchant account. The only difference is the actual transaction must occur on the third party's own website. This is done by having your website transfer the sale information to the third party where credit card information is obtained and the sale approved. The customer is then returned back to your website.

2Checkout:

http://www.2checkout.com

Checkout.com allows vendors to sell tangible merchandise, subscriptions and downloads. They charge a one time set up fee of $49, and a per transaction fee of 5.5% plus $0.45. Vendors are paid twice a month. 2checkout.com allows your customers to pay with online checks or by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American
Express, Diners, JCB and debit cards with the Visa, Mastercard logo. Customers must use 2checkout.com's online shopping cart.

Clickbank:

http://www.clickbank.com

Clickbank is a third party processor that sells digital products only. Clickbank charges vendors a one time fee of $49.95 and a per transaction fee of $1 + 7.5%. Clickbank customers can pay by online check, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Eurocard, Bravo, Visa Debit, Mastercard Debit, or Novus.

Paybyweb:

http://www.paybyweb.com

paybyweb is a Fast, Easy, and Secure method of accepting credit card and check payments for your customers. In business since 1992, paybyweb.com also provides instant build your own websites, online checks, EFT's, live bank verification and more.

More Payment Systems:

Third party processors are not the only way to accept credit cards without a merchant account. There are other ways to do so. There are many companies that enable the small business owner to accept credit cards without a merchant account. Here is a brief look at what they have to offer.

PayPal

PayPal is a simple way of accepting credit cards payments for products and services sold over the Internet. As long as your buyers have an email address and bank account, they can transfer money to you through their PayPal account.

To initially setup this account, money must be transferred from the customer's bank account to the new paypal account. In addition, a credit card can be used to replenish the paypal account. When a transaction is made, paypal will transfer the funds accordingly. With that, you can reuse money in your paypal account or deposit into
your regular bank account.

Aside from simplicity, paypal is a low cost solution. There are no setup fees, no monthly fees, no contracts and no hidden charges. PayPal does charge a standard fee of 30 cents plus 2.9% per transaction. Paypal has been online for many years and is the easiest and cheapest plan to use without having to use a credit
card merchant account.

PayPal is an excellent starting point for businesses that don't want to go through the hassle of applying for a credit card merchant account however, it is often prohibitive to making online sales because your customers must have a PayPal account to pay using their system. Consumers wishing to make a quick purchase may often bypass your site to a competitor that offers normal credit card acceptance.

How to use PayPal:

That's it! It's that easy. You are up and running. You can create as many buttons as you want for your products. There are also lots of other solutions available so you can send invoices for your products or services, and even have a shopping cart with a 'View Cart' button.

eGold

e-gold is an electronic currency, issued by e-gold Ltd., a Nevis corporation, 100% backed at all times by gold bullion in allocated storage.

e-gold payments clear instantaneously (with no chargeback risk), no matter how large the payment, no matter how far apart the Spender and Recipient.

StormBay:

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Increase your sales by accepting payments through StormPay.com. StormPay allows you to accept all major credit cards, E-Check, Money Orders, Bank Wires, and more! No need for your own merchant account. Payment buttons for your website are automatically generated!

AlertBay:

AlertPay.com offers an internet payment system enabling any business or consumer with email to send and receive internet payments securely, quickly and cost-effectively. AlertPay is available to users all around
world.