How do I add support for Credit/debit cards?

I want to start accepting CC's on my website (frontporchromance.com) - I already take Paypal but we are hoping by accepting CCs our sales will boost some.
So I have to buy the SSL and then the Dedicated IP which is not a problem but my questions are this-

1. which module do I need to have the CC system activated, if any. I know I go through the Configurations and change each individual card (Visa, MC/ AmEx, Disover) as active.

2. Do I still need to pay for a merchant processing company to assist with taking my payments? Or does the SSL and Dedicated IP handle that aspect?

Each credit card processor needs a module tailored to it. Many exist in Plugins and probably elsewhere, so check and make sure there is a module available before contracting with a payment processor.

You will have to pay a processor to have a merchant account; their fees may total more or less than Paypal's depending on your circumstances.

So Paypal offers such a thing where if the customers go to our website to buy an item they can use a credit card instead of Paypal actually?

dawneprochilo:

So Paypal offers such a thing where if the customers go to our website to buy an item they can use a credit card instead of Paypal actually?

Yes. They can do that directly on the PayPal page -- they don't need a PayPal account to just use their credit card.

But you can also sign up for PayPal Payments Pro for a monthly fee, and let them pay directly on your site, and they won't know you're using PayPal to process their card.

DrByte:

Yes. They can do that directly on the PayPal page -- they don't need a PayPal account to just use their credit card.

But you can also sign up for PayPal Payments Pro for a monthly fee, and let them pay directly on your site, and they won't know you're using PayPal to process their card.

Really? Great. Then I still need to have the SSL and the Dedicated IP and just contact paypal and be done with having to get a processing payment center's help?

DrByte:

Yes. They can do that directly on the PayPal page -- they don't need a PayPal account to just use their credit card.

But you can also sign up for PayPal Payments Pro for a monthly fee, and let them pay directly on your site, and they won't know you're using PayPal to process their card.

DrByte... where on my admin home page do I go to set that up? Under configurations?

See https://www.zen-cart.com/getpaypal
And your Admin->Modules->Payment