Accepting Payment Through Your Web Site

Once you've completed your eBook, your next step will be to set up an online payment system.

Don't let this process intimidate you, as it is much easier than you may think. There are many professional companies on the Internet that will assist you. If you'd like to get your own merchant account, you can do so right online. If you'd rather not have your own merchant account, there are companies online that will process your orders for you.


Merchant Accounts

If you decide to get your own merchant account, you will also need access to a secure server and a shopping cart system. A secure server will protect your customers' information. A shopping cart system will provide your customer with a running total of what they have ordered and the total cost. Visit your PayPal or your bank for assistance in setting up a merchant account. 

Third Party Credit Card Processors

If you'd rather not have your own merchant account, third party credit card processors will process your credit card orders for you. There are usually no monthly fees. They charge a "per transaction" fee and send you payment for all of your orders processed, minus their fee and a reserve fee. A reserve fee is withheld to cover and charge backs you may have. If you have no charge backs within a period of time, your reserve will be refunded to you. Each company has their own guidelines in regard to reserves.

The following websites will process credit card orders for you:

PayPal

Another outstanding company that enables any business or consumer with an email address to securely, conveniently, and cost-effectively send and receive payments online. No merchant account is required and you can almost instantly begin accepting credit cards and electronic checks through your web site. You can sell with PayPal through an online auction, on your own web site, or as part of an online marketplace. There are no setup or monthly fees.

ClickBank

ClickBank is another outstanding company that will enable you to accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Eurocard, Visa-Debit, MasterCard-Debit, Novus cards and electronic checks. No merchant account is required and there are no monthly fees.

The great thing about this company is that over 100,000 affiliates can choose to sell your products for you. ClickBank enables any web seller to automatically pay sales commissions to affiliates. They will bill your customers, pay you, and pay your affiliates a commission. In other words, they'll run your entire affiliate program for you. In addition, their services are available for non-US merchants.

ClickBank is intended to be used for electronic merchandise only. If you ship a physical product, you may want to consider using iBill to process your orders.

If you're just starting out, you may want to use one of the third party credit card processors, as this is the easiest route. Each company provides you with step by step instructions to assist you in getting your web site set up to accept credit cards. The great thing about third party credit card processors is that they handle everything for you. You don't have to hassle with processing your credit card payments or charge backs, as all of this is taken care of for you.

In order to successfully sell your eBooks on the Internet, you must accept credit cards. In addition, you must make the ordering process as simple as possible. With today's technology, even the smallest home-based business can now accept credit credits almost instantly. Visit one of the web sites mentioned above and get your web site set up today. Your success depends on it.