Having a really hard time choosing a payment provider -- please help

This has been hanging me up for over a month now & is beyond frustrating.

I just don't know what to do/who to chose when it comes to a payment processor & module.

Is there something that installs very easy & is an easy setup process for getting approved for the portal?

I've tried Chase Paymenttech but their application is so in depth I don't think I'd ever get through with it & they aren't even sure of the Zencart payment module.

I have an account with Intuit & have been trying to get setup with them as a portal, but the application with them almost requires a developer.

I am looking for a payment module that is easy to install & link up with a portal processor that is easy to get signed up & approved with.

What are my options? This will be for a supplement website, so not sure if that helps pick a portal or not.

Thank you.

Any processor that can use or with minor modification can use the AuthorizeNet method/module will ease your integration

PayPal.

It's generally all that most merchants will need. The Payment gateways are geared more towards the high $end seller market.

Just my 2cents worth.

Cheers
Rod

I agree with RodG. Use Paypal, especially for a new store that won't be doing a lot of business right away. Don't get caught up in the morass of comparing transaction costs, either. Many of the processors aren't exactly upfront about all their fees and my research shows that most end up costing about the same.

Doesn't your own bank have an agreement with a credit-card processing service?
The commission may be lower (I pay 0.5%) and you at least have your bank to berate them on your behalf when they screw up.

stevesh:

I agree with RodG. Use Paypal, especially for a new store that won't be doing a lot of business right away. Don't get caught up in the morass of comparing transaction costs, either. Many of the processors aren't exactly upfront about all their fees and my research shows that most end up costing about the same.

Yep, in agreeance with both of you. Been through that exercise myself a few months ago and decided to stay with PayPal (would need to increase online turnover dramatically to justify an alternative).

torvista:

Doesn't your own bank have an agreement with a credit-card processing service?
The commission may be lower (I pay 0.5%) and you at least have your bank to berate them on your behalf when they screw up.

The commission depends a bit on your country. In Oz the banks are still raking it in big time despite the recent GFC (that's why we have done well with all the bank shares we ever owned)

PayPal for me....

stevesh:

I agree with RodG. Use Paypal, especially for a new store that won't be doing a lot of business right away. Don't get caught up in the morass of comparing transaction costs, either. Many of the processors aren't exactly upfront about all their fees and my research shows that most end up costing about the same.

I must differ in opinion, though there are exceptions to everything depending upon your particular business and average monthly volumes must also be considered. There are quite a few shoppers who absolutely refuse or will use once and never return to shop with sites who require checkout to be funneled through PayPal; whether it be a payment funded by a PP account or credit card processed via PP.

3 years ago, the percentage was quite high and now it is approaching 50/50 for us.

Using Authorize.net as a gateway is a relatively painless implementation. One thing to watch is credit card processors who 'resell' Auth.net gateway services. If/when you ever change processor, you will be forced to acquire a new Auth.net account. You will be much better off obtaining your Auth.net independently from your processor. GatewayOnly.com is one of a few. Most processors provide the setup instructions specifically tailored to Auth.net setup.

frank18:

Yep, in agreeance with both of you. Been through that exercise myself a few months ago and decided to stay with PayPal (would need to increase online turnover dramatically to justify an alternative).

The commission depends a bit on your country. In Oz the banks are still raking it in big time despite the recent GFC (that's why we have done well with all the bank shares we ever owned)

PayPal for me....

Yes, the rates can vary significantly and many processors have several bags of smoke and mirror tricks that are used. We have been using "Interchange Plus" accounts for years and that eliminates much of the smoke and mirror tricks. Those accounts are available through most processors but are not offered unless requested because it minimizes the available trickery.

I have yet to see a monthly average all fees inclusive, for internet processed, card not present transactions less than 2%. Merchant accounts obtained through local banks are generally the most expensive route that can be taken. That is just my experience based upon US processors.

RixStix:

There are quite a few shoppers who absolutely refuse or will use once and never return to shop with sites who require checkout to be funneled through PayPal; whether it be a payment funded by a PP account or credit card processed via PP.

3 years ago, the percentage was quite high and now it is approaching 50/50 for us.

It sounds like you're saying that 50% of your current customers use Paypal and 50% use Authorize.net ? I'd be interested in how you know that the visitors who used authorize.net wouldn't have bought from you if you only offered Paypal.

There is a long-standing Internet meme, especially prevalent among the self-described tech-savvy, that involves disparaging Paypal (also known as Slashdot Syndrome). I don't believe such an attitude is common among ordinary online shoppers.

stevesh:

It sounds like you're saying that 50% of your current customers use Paypal and 50% use Authorize.net ? I'd be interested in how you know that the visitors who used authorize.net wouldn't have bought from you if you only offered Paypal.

There is a long-standing Internet meme, especially prevalent among the self-described tech-savvy, that involves disparaging Paypal (also known as Slashdot Syndrome). I don't believe such an attitude is common among ordinary online shoppers.

I don't think anyone can answer that question definitively. I do know that 3 years ago the split was 5%/95% PP/CC and that number has changed to nearly 50/50 today for our online store which indicates that things are changing.

I do know that during that same timeframe one of our vendors which is a Warren Buffet/Berkshire Hathaway company was having a significant issue with abandoned carts. In attempt to find out why, they spent between $150,000 and $200,000 on a survey to address the issue. The overwhelming response was that being taken offsite for payment, whether PP or CC via PP site, was the reason for abandoned carts. There were business reasons for the initial implementation of PP only but after the survey, they quickly made changes to the business model and the results were significant and quick.

I can also say that I personally prefer to stay onsite when making payment for an online purchase. If I am taken offsite, I will probably complete the purchase but I find a different source for future purchases.

A similar analogy is used between shoppers using a MC/VS or an Amex card. Every Amex cardholder also has a MC/VS but they prefer to use the Amex card and will manytimes find a different merchant that will accept the Amex card for future purposes. Amex purchasers generally have higher ticket averages over MC/VS.

Does the survey apply to me? I don't know. I can't say definitively but given all of that, I like to make it easy for customers to spend money. Offering onsite CC acceptance costs about the same as accepting PayPal and in some months, the percentage is less than charged by PP considering all monthly costs to process the CC. PCI compliance is just a matter of scheduling a quarterly scan, though I have the scans performed monthly so that if there ever is a problem, I have 2 months before the current scan expires. We pay no monthly, quarterly or annual compliance fee and our host usually has any issues corrected and approved before we even know they exist.

Fair enough. I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, but the OP is just starting his store and it sounds like yours is busy and successful. I recommend Paypal Express for new Zenners mainly because there is no ongoing monthly fee regardless of sales.

To be honest, I'm surprised as many as 50% of your customers use Paypal, given an on-site option. May be that there are more people without credit cards than I would have expected.

I look for the option to use PayPal as I know I will have a better chance of a resolution to any problem I encounter.

dbltoe:

I look for the option to use PayPal as I know I will have a better chance of a resolution to any problem I encounter.

+1 on this from my side! I had a couple of disputes in 7 years of running my main store and all was quickly solved to the full satisfaction of all concerned.

Also +1 on stevesh' comment as far as monthly fees are concerned: there are none with PayPal. On the other hand most other providers are charging a monthly fee, and if they don't charge it then their commission percentage is .... you know what.

Again, if store turnover exceeds a certain level in the future then it may be necessary to make a move away from PayPal. For start-up store PP is still the way to go.

Thanks to all for the replies.

I should state that Paypal is NOT an option.

So I'm just going to go with Authorize.net I guess.

But I guess I'm confused, so they are only the portal allowing secure access to the processor? And I still need to find a payment processor like Chase Payment tech or can Authorize.net also process the payments themselves?

Isn't Authorize.net's application process really long & in depth?

JohnnyScience:

I should state that Paypal is NOT an option.

Some would argue that this is akin to saying 'Success is not an option'

Am I one of those 'some'? Some days I am. Some days I'm not.

At the end of the day, as long as it is 'safe' and cost effective, the more payment options made available, the more chance of landing the sale. As long as Visa/MC/Amex are catered for in one way or another then that is the most important thing for e-Commerce. The Payment Gateways (including PayPal) are of secondary concern.

Cheers
Rod.

ps. I've been badly 'burned' by PayPal in the past (eventually resolved to everyones satisfaction). I stayed well clear of them for a looong time... until I realised that I was 'cutting of my nose to spite my face'. I've read posts from many others that have also been 'burned' in years gone past that are still holding a bit of a grudge, which is fine, until they (needlessly) start discouraging others from using them too. I'm not suggesting that this is the case here, but what I am saying is that PayPal these days aren't the same PayPal they were a few years ago.

JohnnyScience:

But I guess I'm confused, so they are only the portal allowing secure access to the processor? And I still need to find a payment processor like Chase Payment tech or can Authorize.net also process the payments themselves?

Isn't Authorize.net's application process really long & in depth?

I don't think they are the only secure portal, but probably one of the easiest to implement. I wouldn't say that the process is long or deep. From application to confirmed account with setup instructions took less than a day for me. In a previous post, I mentioned gatewayonly.com . Another is GatewaySetup.com, which is who I used at the recommendation of our processor. Approval depends upon how easily the data supplied in your application can be confirmed.

I would be surprised if most, if not all, online payment processors cannot process via Auth.net. That is a question to ask before making a decision on the processor. After that, telling the processor that you already have an Auth.net account and do not desire an Auth.net account that they resell. Your processor should provide the Auth.net setup instructions.

RodG:

At the end of the day, as long as it is 'safe' and cost effective, the more payment options made available, the more chance of landing the sale.

... but what I am saying is that PayPal these days aren't the same PayPal they were a few years ago.

+1

frank18:

Also +1 on stevesh' comment as far as monthly fees are concerned: there are none with PayPal. On the other hand most other providers are charging a monthly fee, and if they don't charge it then their commission percentage is .... you know what.
The OP didn't ask for a PP vs CC debate but when you figure all the monthly costs and divide by the amount processed within the month, I think you will be surprised that the percentage for PayPal and percentage for processing via a merchant account will be nearly identical. PP higher rate structure offsets the fixed monthly costs associated with offering an onsite payment method. There is also the option of using PP gateway instead of Auth.net gateway but the OP indicates that is not an option for their particular business need. That is also a wash when compared to PayPal WPP.

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