Is it worth the hassle? Right now Ive been doing okay with just PayPal payment processing.

I'm not sure what hassle you mean. You can get a Merchant Account from CDGCommerce.com and after a fax and a couple of days be up and running taking credit cards on your own site, controlling all the aspects of the order.

In addition, it's generally not a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket. While PayPal may work great for you, there are a few horror stories where accounts have been frozen. You should always have a backup method to continue to take orders...

I don't think it's a hassle. Will expand your business. A lot of people still don't use paypal. If anything I'd say using paypal is more of a hassle for the customer then getting real credit card processing would be for you. Not to mention you should always want to put the customer first.

If you are going for the local market, CC processing is a MUST HAVE. Paypal works great if you are going for teenage clients, and stay-at-home moms that do website hobbies, but if you want to market to businesses, and tap into the higher-paying market, then CC Processing is the way to go.

Thanks for the kind words, TVI. :)

I think that under most circumstances, it is well worth getting credit card processing setup if you intend to be routinely taking sales and/or you are wanting to grow your business.

If it is a hobby-type situation or a business with only sporadic, once in a blue moon-type sales, then a 3PP solution like PayPal or 2CO might be suitable.

I couldn't agree more, with your own merchant account you can have much more control over billing than what paypal provides. It also looks mor profesional in my opinion.

it is not a hassel if you want to grow your company, many small-large sized corporations pay using credit card for tax purposes and among a list of other things. depending on your client volume and expected volume i would recommend you do accept credit cards... ofcourse there are downfalls such as charge backs etc, etc.... but in the end you are the winner with a large happy customer base.

If you are in the U.S. and your volume is more than $1,000 a month I have seen that it is easier on me and better to have a merchant account. I have mine from http://www.merchantaccounts4less.com and have referred a few dozen e-commerce clients over to them. They helped me to understand the differences between Paypal, 2CheckOut, and a merchant account.

I think it just looks more professional for the my client to see my business name on his / her credit card statement and they do not have to go to another site to pay me.

At what level volume would you suggest getting a CC processor?

I'd get one right away, that is if your serious about making any money with your business.

When the time comes that you wished you had a Merchant Account, it's already too late. It is a major headache to migrate all your users over to a new system.

Originally posted by Utaria-Aaron
If you are going for the local market, CC processing is a MUST HAVE. Paypal works great if you are going for teenage clients, and stay-at-home moms that do website hobbies, but if you want to market to businesses, and tap into the higher-paying market, then CC Processing is the way to go.


I totally agree with this statement. Local business wants nothing to do with PayPal. :)

Thanks for the recommendation John. And you are right, being in the US usually $1,000 a month is a pretty good start.

A merchant account and Paypal is always a good thing to consider depending on your customers

Weigh the options as far as how much more business do you think offering payment by Credit Cards will bring in.

Aaron and Shara

*NOTE* I am not affiliated with cdgcommerce in any way

Heck, I'm not even a customer.

But seeing how he handles himself on these forums, and most importantly how they responded to my inquiries when I was looking, that would be a great place to at least start collecting information and as a potential merchant account provider.

Paypal now offers a service that is basically the same as a true merchant account. You can take orders on your own site, in person or by phone. No paypal account needed.

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_wp-pro-overview-outside

After using 2CO for the past couple of years, a real CC processor feels like... I just upgraded my old worn down New Balance sneakers to a pair of new Nike Shox ;)

Now that is a cool comparison :). I am waiting for my processor to finish setting up and I am really looking forward to it. Hopefully within a few more days!

Originally posted by zopiwebhosting
Now that is a cool comparison :). I am waiting for my processor to finish setting up and I am really looking forward to it. Hopefully within a few more days!

I think that was the hardest part, the wait. Amex and Disc took about a week to get everything set up. Visa and MC was just a couple of days.

Originally posted by CakvalaSC
Is it worth the hassle? Right now Ive been doing okay with just PayPal payment processing.

Yes it is 100% worth it. The more ways you have for customers to pay the more chances you have customers to sign up. You would be amazed how many people pay with Credit Cards.

Torith is absolutely right. It is 100% worth it. ...And once you get up and running with you CC billing, think about getting an 800 number. It helps too.

Having your own merchant account is always a plus. Some people might not be able to afford it but the more options that you have to accept payment, means the more customers you can have. We accept credit cards, virtual checks, and Payapl. I have my merchant account from Merchants Accounts 4 Less (http://www.merchantaccounts4less.com) and I got and 800 number from Freedom Voice (http://www.loud800.com)

Having your own merchant account is always a plus. Some people might not be able to afford it but the more options that you have to accept payment, means the more customers you can have. We accept credit cards, virtual checks, and Payapl. I have my merchant account from Merchants Accounts 4 Less (http://www.merchantaccounts4less.com) and I got and 800 number from Freedom Voice (http://www.loud800.com)