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Ecommerce:  You want to sell goods and/or services on your web site and you've
heard about "ecommerce" being the thing you need, but the more
you search the web for answers the more confused and conflicted
you get. Here are some fundamentals to go buy.
There are 2 basic ways to perform commerce transactions on the
web:
1. Real time
Which usually means: a customer types in their credit card info
into a web-based form, hits submit and then via web scripting
and third party partnerships it is authorized as a legitimate
card and then money is deposited roughly within 48 hours into
the web site owner's account.
Pluses: once it's in place it's a pretty seemless, hands-off delivery
of monies for goods and services.
Minuses: Getting it in place
2. The other kind of ecommerce is everything else. This ranges from capturing credit card info with a web-based form
and manually entering the info into a terminal or over the phone,
to "print out the order form and send a check or money order to..."
to, "please call our 800 number to order..." (in which case you
still need a way to enter the credit card info with the cc companies).
Pluses: easier to start, less expensive, quicker to get running
Minuses: slower to transact, more hands on, God forbid you should ever
get really busy.
Start from here: If you have an established business relationship
with a bank and/or a merchant account with them go talk to your
rep and see what they know. Most banks were reluctant and skeptical
at first about this "ecommerce web thing" but more and more the
dollar signs and hype are making them get knowledge. If you do
not have a business account or a merchant account, you need to
establish both first.
Next: Decide what your budget is (it's probably a good idea not
to include the millions you think you'll get from web orders). Real time is about $1-2,000 up front
and a minimum of $25-50 a month plus monthly transaction fees
and percentages thereafter. The other options vary, from "your
time and effort" to that plus one-time fees and percentages of each transaction.
Besides your bank, here are some additional rersources: |
Click on Screen Shots to Go to Web Site
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| First Must Have: Merchant Account |
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Comprehensive site for finding all things ecommerce, including
a good list of merchant account providers. They also provide links
to shopping cart programs, auction software, and ecommerce discussion
areas. |
| Real Time |
"Everyone recognizes that Internet commerce is the next big opportunity
- for businesses, for financial institutions, and for consumers.
But doing business on the Net means finding a secure, cost-effective,
and reliable way to collect payment and process transactions.
Authorize.Net fills that need with a server-based transaction
processing system that enables businesses to authorize, process,
and manage credit card and electronic check transactions in a
real-time, online environment from any computer with an Internet
connection and a Web browser." |
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"CyberCash is recognized as the world's leading provider of Secure
Electronic Commerce Payment Solutions. CyberCash is the pioneer
of the major electronic commerce payment advances on the Internet.
With our wide range of products and services, CyberCash is unique
in enabling merchants around the globe to accept multiple forms
of payment around-the-clock including Secure Payment/SET™ and
PayNow™ electronic check. CyberCash solutions securely and conveniently
link thousands of merchants and their customers to leading financial
institutions and payment processing networks, making it as safe
and easy to transact business." |
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| "Total Merchant Services specializes in helping companies like
yours establish payment solutions for virtual storefronts by getting
set up to securely accept credit cards and checks on the world
wide web. We do not just solve one problem... we'll provide a
total solution to your payment acceptance." |
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"Our credit card processing service enables your site with real-time
credit card authorization and settlement, allowing your customers
to safely pay with a credit card without specialized software.
We provide a simple but secure customer interface that is incorporated
into your existing web site by the addition of a few lines of
code. It in effect creates a 24 hour storefront with rock solid
performance, while requiring no major changes to your site." |
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| Providers of Security for Real Time Transactions |
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"Thawte is a global provider of digital certificate products, services
and solutions. We are the second largest Internet Certificate
Authority worldwide, with 40% of the Internet's SSL Web server
market. We offer certificates that are trusted by all major browser
and mail applications along with outstanding local service and
support. "
We like what they do, less expensive ($125 yearly) but their application
process is like working a rubik's cube. |
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"VeriSign, Inc., (NASDAQ: VRSN) is headquartered in Mountain View,
CA and is the leading provider of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
and digital certificate solutions used by enterprises, Web sites,
and consumers to conduct secure communications and transactions
over the Internet and private networks.
VeriSign’s integrated PKI platform--VeriSIgn OnSite--is available
through VeriSign regional account representatives, resellers,
and global affiliates or directly through the Web site. Secure
Server IDs and Personal Digital IDs are available directly through
the Web site. " |
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| Other Ecommerce Solutions (non realtime) |
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"The TeleCharge Service provides point-of-sale bankcard processing
for small office, mobile services, home-based businesses, and
direct marketing businesses. TeleCharge agents simply fill out
a sales receipt, process a charge against the customer's bankcard
through the toll free telephone authorization line, and send the
sales slip in for verification. TeleCharge then deposits the
proceeds directly into the agent's checking account.."
Back in the early 1920's of the web we actually used this service
and it worked darn good, as long as you don't mind punching in
all the numbers on the phone. |
