Some thoughts on the use of Paypal

[Dizzydiza]

I have a paypal account that I use to pay for some items on the internet. For a while now hubby has been nipping my ear about accepting payment on my stuff on the website. My argument to this is that I dont keep a stock as I always make to order. During my busy months I worried that this would prove too difficult for me to cope with. But at this time of year (well for the last 2 years) I have a Christmas Gift section. The stuff on the page are one offs although copies could be requested. If I had a paypal button or paypal by email I think it might be a little more successful. My dilemma is if I choose paypal by email, from what I understand the customer has to create a paypal account to make purchase whereas if I incorporate the button on the website they can pay with out creating an account. I am not sure if I am ready to incorporate a payment system on my website or sure of how it will work. So here is what I am looking for your thoughts on....
If you didnt have a paypal account and wanted to buy something from my gift section would it put you off buying it if you had to create an account? Or should I just go ahead with the payment by email to see if I like this idea myself and if successful would I then be able to upgrade to the website button?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice
Diana

[Brian McIntosh]

HI Diana,

On my new website, I decided not to go with Paypal, or any ecommerce payment facility at all. I found that most people who wanted to buy a picture would call first or send an email, maybe to check that everything was legit. What I decided to do is have a purchase button that sends an email to me and I contact the customer to arrange payment. This may be a bit long winded but it lets me interact with my customers which I think is important. In these days of internet and telephone banking, money transfers can be done just about instantly. I suppose it depends on how many orders you think you'll take over the Xmas period. Stu, on here, built my site so if you need any info i'm sure he could point you in the right direction.

[stugster]

I used to be a fan of PayPal until they started completely ignoring the seller's comments/opinions when a dispute arises, and almost always just favour the customer.

I now use Google Checkout, it's much easier, it's much faster, and it's much cheaper!

As a business, Google take 1.5% off me for every transaction, plus 15p (I think). If you use ad-words, then I think the 1.5% transaction charge just gets deposited in your ad-words account instead.

Can't complain!

[stugster]

I got it round the wrong way:

Free transaction processing.
All AdWords customers receive 10 times their monthly spend in free processing, all other transactions are processed at a low rate of 1.5% + £0.15 per transaction

[barryhynd]

Hi Diana,

I dont see the issue with having a Paypal button on the site and it was something I looked for when I visited your site earlier. There surely must be a way where you can add a Paypal button only to products you have in stock and it would certainly speed things up for you.

Brian does however make a great point. Maybe having that little bit more interaction with the customer would be better for you in terms of repeat business. I think this works for Brian given the spend is a little higher and it's more of a considered purchase. I guess the only way to really find out is to test them both and that way you can make up your own mind.

[Dizzydiza]

Ok thanks guys for your thoughts. I think I am more unsure now of what I want to do. I thought paypal because I already have an account with them but google looks as though it works the same and I also have things like google analytic and picasso and various other stuff with google. Plus I don't think google is as well known as paypal. Or could I manage both?.....yikes think I am getting a headache. Off to do do something therapeutic....I have some wire wrapped jewellery to create!

[frockery]

In my experience PayPal can be a nightmare with failed transactions and frustrated customers. Although I now have WorldPay on my site (which works every time), I have left PayPal as a payment option as customers recognise it and many still seem to want to use it.

Just my two pennies as you deliberate further, Diana.

[Dizzydiza]

Ok just to let you know that I have decided just to go ahead and use Paypal but I am waiting on Paypal verifying my account. I believe payments can be made using a credit card without having to register with paypal. But I dont intend to install a pay it now button ..instead I will do it through email so that I can still have the interaction with my customers so that items bought can be fully customised for them.

[barryhynd]

Hi Diana,

I think that is a great place to start and it might be that balance is just right for you.

Let us know how it all goes

[Lady K]

Hi Diana,

I, too, had a bit of a struggle on thinking how to incorporate online payment with my greetings cards. I thought about Google Checkout as I already had a gmail email account but discovered I couldn't sell with in multiples or other options without paying for a third party shopping cart - something, at the moment, I don't want to possibly waste money on if it all falls flat. However, you've already got paying customers so I doubt that would happen to you.

I then found out that Paypal do a 'free' simple shopping cart but for more commission. I already had a paypal account and since I am just starting out I didn't have anything to lose. I did it all myself with little to no knowledge but fairly competent computer skills and determination. I finally got it working with different size choices, multiple and personalised options. I did have a fair bit of trouble, it has to be said, but I think it might have been a bit of a Mac conflict. And to give them their due, the Paypal technical monkeys on the online discussion board help thingy were very good. Oh and, people don't need to have a paypal account and can also just use a credit card.

My cards are individually made but can be simply personalised so I set it up to do so. However, I do give the buyer the option of filling in my contact form if there are specific requests and have advised them to do so first before ordering. You can also select the option for "Ask further instructions to seller" box, (or something like that) I think it comes up on the final payment page.

I have heard lots of scare stories about Paypal not paying up etc. but until I make my first million I'm gonna risk it before I shell out for a fancy shopping cart. Benefits of going through something like Google Checkout or Paypal rather than straight email invoicing is you don't need to worry about sharing bank details, waiting for cheques, cheques bouncing etc. and it gives people options of how to pay. I buy stuff online quite a lot (especially since I'm out in the sticks) and personally if I see a website without an online payment option I don't bother - too much hassle. That's why I decided to take the plunge.

I have seen though, on some people's sites they use Google Checkout and send an email invoice later with a Buy it Now button when everything is added up which maybe more what you're looking for. It does take longer of course but it still gives that instant access a lot of online shoppers look for and the interaction you're looking for.

That all said though, I haven't actually had any online sales as yet but it's early days and I'm working on a bit of promotion so here's hoping.

I told you I can waffle!!
Good luck with it all.
Jen.