Our Shopping Cart and
eCommerce Services
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Thinking of Adding eCommerce and a
Shopping Cart to Your Business Model?

In a basic definition, a shopping cart
is a collection of software scripts that keep track of items a visitor decides to buy from your site
until they proceed to the "checkout".
A popular misconception about shopping carts is that they handle the whole
financial transaction, from beginning to end. However, in actual fact, they are really only a front-end which
passes information via a secure connection (another service that is required) to an eCommerce payment
gateway - which is a separate service altogether.
The eCommerce payment gateway service then channels the requests and transfers
throughout relevant financial networks, including the Internet Merchant Account with your
bank.
It then sends confirmation or denial back to the shopping cart
software.
As you can see, there are really
THREE critical links in th eCommerce chain:
1. The shopping cart on your Web site.
2. An eCommerce Payment Gateway.
3. A Merchant Account with your bank.
There are literally hundreds of shopping cart packages available, but the shopping
carts that we use and recommend are indeed the best in their respective classes.
If you are thinking about adopting a shopping cart solution for your
business, we suggest
that you ease yourself into the process,
so that there will be no surprises along the way.
That is why we strongly suggest that every business test the waters first by using
the Paypal free
ecommerce solution. This service can handle
subscriptions, hard goods and has some limited software delivery capabilities. It's the cheapest way to accept
payments online, and it is indeed true, as Paypal claim: Ecommerce has never been easier!
Accept Credit Card Payments through your Web site. There are no setup fees, and no
monthly maintenance fees!
Why set up 5 or 10 of your top-selling products using the Paypal system and give
it a 6-month trial before going for a more professional solution. You'll learn much along the way, and it will not
cost you an arm and a leg, guaranteed!
The Paypal system integrates basic shopping cart functions with a payment gateway
and merchant account - funds are paid to you via check or through direct deposit.
The only drawback, and it is only a small one, with using Paypal as an ecommerce
solution is that your customers must be Paypal account holders - but they become account holders by purchasing from
you - the sign-up process is integrated into the checkout process, and is quick and easy to
complete. And
membership for your customer is free.
Paypal is an excellent way to begin in ecommerce and is very widely
accepted around the world.
You only pay a small percentage of each sale and there are no monthly fees or
setup costs, plus you receive free fraud protection - no chargeback fees to worry about.
Compared to other shopping cart solutions, PayPal does have a higher
per transaction cost, but they don't charge a setup or monthly maintenance fee, so you only really
pay when you receive payment which can be a great way to get started on a minumum budget.
PayPal allows payments both from those without existing PayPal accounts (using
credit card) or payments directly from existing PayPal accounts.
But, all in all, if you're new to ecommerce, and looking for a quick, and easy way
to accept payments online, then definetely check out PayPal.
Why not join up now for free and check out the Paypal shopping cart.
They also have an excellent 13-part demo available for you to see how easy the
wholeoperation is.
Contact us here for more
information on this simple solution.
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Learn More About
Paypal ...
1. See how OO.com.au
Uses PayPal ...
Check out this Australian online business, OO.com.au, which has used Paypal exclusively
since day one of their operation:
http://www.OO.com.au
2. Learn more about Paypal with the Following
Educational Videos ...
Paypal Australia also has an excellent set of freely available
educational videos that helps you understand how Paypal can help your business:
1. Getting the most from your PayPal account
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6S7XPl3i5I
2. How OO.com.au uses Paypal.com.au
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU6Fr87hixo
3. Busting the PayPal Myths with Angela Catterns
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rWy8bgZ-qjM&feature=user
4. Signing Up for a PayPal Account
http://youtube.com/watch?v=p86iKFZAMI4&feature=user
5. Setup an online store in 6 steps
http://youtube.com/watch?v=E3CwQJ8tBh4&feature=user
6. Online Payment Basics with Angela Catterns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmrpOpiGbgY&feature=user
7. Interview with Paypal president Scott Thompson
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tJgh9Rpk3MU&feature=related
8. Shopping Online with OO.com.au
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VYiSRIaZwkA&feature=related
To request more
information about eCommerce,
shopping carts, especially the Paypal shopping
cart, please click on the button below ...
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