Know-How Exchange : E-Marketing

Network Solutions (https://ecommerce.networksolutions.com/). Great system and reasonable cost. They can arrange credit card as well.

You can also use Google to collect money.

I am not sure the extent of your question. I provide shopping carts and store front sites. If you need help let me know. If you are asking just for merchant services, the cheapest do a google search. But the set up cost from the merchant service provider, software, creating the payment gateway and site integration are also things to consider. So your entry cost may be higher with one but the long term cost higher with another.

The banks are usually the most expensive but the fastest to clear into your bank account. Even Sams Club provides a more reasonable cost than the banks. Factors to consider are size of the transaction, because of load the cost by ticket or charge from different clearing houses vary. Others charge less for the ticket but a higher % of the transaction. Some have high maintenance rates. The average ticket cost and number of transactions should determine the "best" for you.

Understand that Visa, MC, Discover, and AE are set for all. the large transaction folks like Amazon and United airlines can extract a better rate but otherwise the aggregator or clearing house works the margin. So the variance is never going to be great at the lower levels, but the value added resellers like the banks and hosting providers can be substantially higher.

But note that although many hosting services provide merchant services they buy at wholesale and sell to you at retail plus a modest override. So it is cheaper to get your own than use a host provider in most all cases. But, there is always a but, your volume and ticket size is the issue. Also many have term contracts and minimum fees, transactions and hidden fees, (hosting service providers are usually more expensive than direct here also.)

Paypal and that ilk is really good for very infrequent transactions and no contract minimums. This is a rwal plus for Ebay typr selling. But Paypal and similar overhead per transaction is the highest. So when you do very few transactions, as I do, like one every quarter, it is way cheaper than having full blown merchant services. And I am willing to pay the heavy load.

So the answer is "It depends" on your needs. speed to your account, use the bank, rare and international pay then Paypal or more complex funds transfer like moneybookers, and if modest then Sams or a similar private processor, and if large volume you can really negotiate with a third party.

It depends, there is no simple answer, it's like asking what's the best computer or car.

google for 'compare credit card processing" or 'compare merchant services' and expect to spend two days to find the right one for you.

SS

Hi - as a Virtual Assistant I have many clients who use 1shoppingcart or it's many variations, this is a great program, however, it can be $$$ and I have found one that is not so well known but is easy to learn and very inexpensive: E-Junkie https://www.e-junkie.com/?r=22017

It will integrate with your PayPal (you will need to keep a payment processor) and it is a great little program for around $6 a month - no long term commitments.

Good luck.

Kate LaFrance
Marketers' VA