Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I was wondering if anyone here has a payment gateway company they recommend for new stores.  I am currently using Authorize.net (as recommended by my hosting company) but the fees are outrageous for my small eCommerce store.  There has to be something cheaper - at least while I`m just starting out.  Any recommendations or tips?

Well, PayPal is good for no fees/month just a % of the sale.

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I know PayPal is a good option, but I didnt want that to be my only payment option, especially for customers who dont have PayPal accounts.  I get the feeling they prefer the option of whipping out a card to make a purchase and not having to sign up something like PP.  

Actually, you do not need a PayPal account. PayPal can function as a merchant account.

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So the customer does not have to leave your site to complete the transaction?  That would be great - Ill look into it. 

Almost.  I have been using PayPal for years and never a problem.  Yes, their per-transaction fees are higher, but not much, than a traditional merchant account, but there`s absolutely NO recurring fees.  Most of my business is by check, but sometimes a client wants to pay by Credit Card.  PayPal is the perfect solution for me because I could have months of no CC transactions and it chafes me to pay a fee for nothing.

Yes, your customer goes offsite to complete the transaction, but then is redirected back to your thank-you for the purchase page.  Depending on how good you or your website developer are, you can make the side trip to PayPal look like they never left your site.



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Google checkout is another (PayPal-like) alternative.

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I tried to get a paypal pro account and i hated the service they offered everytime i got a email it was from a robot and i never, not once, got a reply from the same person that i emailed. For this reasons i didnt go to pay pal.

Im working with Chase right now but havent been approved yet. Not sure how i like things so far but we will see.

Clearent is also a good from what i hear, my friends using them and has had no problems.

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You could also try FastSpring. They are very good.

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