Where to go for information on online payment services?

[laurena]

Because it seems like so many people here have their own online business, I thought I'd post on behalf of a friend who is thinking of adding this type of option to her business.

Where do you go to obtain information on online payment services? PayPal and Verisign are two that we've seen on other sites, but do sources exist that talk about all of them? Or do you find out about these things through word-of-mouth/trial-and-error?

Thank you to anyone who is able to provide a book/website/other ideas!

Lauren

[ribbit1019]

If she already has a merchant services account then she should be able to add online payment option to that. If not then there are a ton of companys that can set it up for her. From what I understand paypal/verisign do not require you to have a merchant services account. I am choosing to set up a merchant services account for my company. I am still sifting through the rates and such for my state, but it differs per merchant services vendor and state, so she should contact M/C, Visa, Disc, AMEX, to see who can set up a merchant service account for her.

Visa has a list you can just look up http://tinyurl.com/dxf76
M/C has an application form you fill out http://tinyurl.com/8ma2v

From there I am going to use a cart service, there are a lot out there. Here are several I found on diaperdecisions.com:

Mal's E-Commerce - free!
OsCommerce - free!
Zen Cart - free!
Cube Cart - free!
Agora Cart - free!
Easy Store Creator - free!
eMartCart - free!
WAHM Shoppes
Click Cart Pro
Pie Cart Pro
Doodle Cart
VeryShop
Watersweb Shops
MomGeek.com
1 & 1 Web Host
Simple Host

I don't recommend any of these, it is just a list I found. Usually you can hire a webdesigner to help with all these details, carts and such. I am going with doodlebabies.com.

Hope I didn't confuse you too much...

Christy
"My Mommy" to Maddy born 06/09/04
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and soon to Little Man due 03/02/06
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Join the BBB Preggo Pals!!
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[laurena]

Thanks so much for this great information. Neither of knew there was so much on the market.