Paypal

[bobmac]

Ok, you computer experts.
I will be selling something quite soon from my website and I am trying to find the easiest and safest way people can buy it.
Do I have to set up an e-shop with cart, check-out and all that stuff or is there a more simple way?
Thanks in anticipation

 

[viscount17]

for those of us who know you, even if only virtually, simple would probably do it.

if you're aiming for a wider customer base, as I think you are, then if I were approaching a strange site blind (and you'll be a new buy site in a 'street' full of dodgy dealers) then I would want to see the safeguards in place; things like secure shopping/shopsafe accreditation, site security, paypal (which I think protects seller and buyer(?) and with whom a lot of your customer base will already have accounts).

 

[Fore]

As a regular internet shopper, i always prefer the sites that have Paypal as a payment option.

 

[bobmac]

Thanks.
Just joined Paypal.
It looks like I put a 'Buy now' button on my page and if someone wants to buy, they click that.
They are then taken to the Paypal site where they fill in all the details and click 'confirm' and it's done. My account is then credited with the sum, minus a bit of their commission. Is that right?

 

[Fore]

Yes Bobmac.

I have only ever purchased through Paypal but not sold anything, but what you have said sounds good. As a purchaser you elect to pay Paypal with whatever card or bank account you like. Also, as a purchaser, if goods do not arrive Paypal get your money back for you through their dispute facility.

Their site is a bit bewildering at first, but i got used to it eventually.

 

[bobmac]

Thanks Richard, seems pretty straight forward....I think

 

[Sneds]

Paypal is probably the best bet for UK sales, because of their use on eBay they're quite reputable and people aren't too scared to use it.

Some alternatives would be moneybookers and neteller (predominatly American) but paypal should be fine. x

 

[SS2]

Paypal should do the trick to begin with, it all depends on the volume and value of transactions.

We've used SagePay (formerly called ProtX) for online transactions for a few years and they are pretty reasonable and relatively straightforward to setup/integrate. There are fixed monthly costs involved in doing this.

 

[confuciussaid]

do paypal take much commission from such transactions?

 

[MikeB]

+1 for Sagepay, it's more hassle than PP as you need an aquiring bank account such as Streamline aswell but the fees are way lower than PP & IMO websites that only accept PP look a bit suspect as anyone can set one up in minutes.

 

[Sneds]

do paypal take much commission from such transactions?

Probably wouldnt be a very good company if they didn't

 

[Ken_A]

+1 for Sagepay, it's more hassle than PP as you need an aquiring bank account such as Streamline aswell but the fees are way lower than PP & IMO websites that only accept PP look a bit suspect as anyone can set one up in minutes.

I always think paypal sites are a bit wrong, anyone with an account can have one - I dont like that idea - dont know why it just rings alarm bells.