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When you first begin the process of providing
products or services online, it can be quite overwhelming.
However, with a basic understanding of the way things work
and a managed solutions provider like WebIntellects, your
online transition will be quick and easy.
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The Basics |
- A customer is surfing the Internet for products and/or services.
- They come across your web site. To make this web site visible on the Internet you need to host it with a hosting company (WebIntellects, for example).
- As the customer adds services and/or products that they
wish to purchase, they are placed into a shopping cart.
(Miva
Merchant or Miva Order, for example). Once they
have finished shopping on your web site they will "Check
Out". They now fill out the credit card information on a
secure page (SSL) on your web site to pay for their purchases.
- Once the credit card information fields are completely
filled out, the customer will hit "Submit". This information
is then transmitted to a Credit Card Transaction Provider
for authorization (VeriSign
and LinkPoint,
for example). The order is then either declined or accepted.
This process takes about three seconds.
- If the transaction is approved, the information is then
transmitted to a merchant account (Card
Service International, for example). There it will
stay for about 24 to 72 hours.
- The money that is in your merchant account will then be placed into your business account.
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Online Store Operation Methods |
- Simple Check Receipt Method - This is the cheapest and easiest way to run
your online store. When an order is placed, an e-mail will be sent to you telling
you what the order was for. Your customer will then need to send you a check
in the mail for payment of products or services before they receive them. This
method is not recommended, as the reason for shopping online is convenience.
However, in certain instances this might be the way you will need to run your
online store.
Pros:
(1) Simple.
(2) Cost effective.
(3) No chance for credit card charge backs.
Cons:
(1) Not convenient for your shoppers.
(2) Takes too long to receive payment.
(3) Higher rate of canceled orders.
Required to operate store:
(1) WebIntellects E-Commerce
Package
- Simple Credit Card Validation - This is the most popular method for those
needing an affordable way to operate an online store. This is also the best
choice if you just want to test the E-Commerce waters. Once an order is placed
on your store, you will be sent an e-mail telling you what the order was for
and your customer will be sent an e-mail telling them the order was received
and is being processed. You will then need to log on to your store, view the
order, and take the credit card information from the order. At your physical
store or home, you will then use a credit card swipe/punch machine to run the
credit card transaction manually. Once the credit card is approved, you can
then send your customer the product or service they ordered.
Pros:
(1) Simple.
(2) Cost effective - you do not need an online merchant bank and payment portal.
(3) Quick and easy to set up.
Cons:
(1) Transaction is not instant. Your customers must wait on you.
(2) You must be available to manually charge credit to complete the order.
(3) If you receive a large number of orders, it becomes time-consuming.
Required to operate store:
(1) WebIntellects E-Commerce
Package
(2) Credit Card swipe/punch machine from your bank.
- Real-time Credit Card Transaction - This is the way all the larger online
stores do it. With this method, the credit card transaction becomes part of
the ordering process. An online shopper decides to purchase from your store.
They will use your shopping cart to purchase items and, when ready, "Check
Out". During the "Check Out" phase they will enter their credit
card information securely and submit it. Within three seconds, they will be
told if their credit card was declined or accepted. Once accepted, they will
receive order confirmation and a receipt. When the order has been placed and
after the credit card is approved, you will be sent an e-mail with all the
details. The money is automatically deducted from your customer's credit card
and deposited into your business account.
Pros:
(1) Convenient for you and your shoppers.
(2) Instant credit card transactions.
(3) Professional - all large E-Commerce sites operate their stores this way.
Cons:
(1) Cost - Requires an online merchant account and payment portal.
Required to operate store:
(1) WebIntellects E-Commerce
Package
(2) An online merchant bank.
(3) An online payment portal for real time credit card transactions.
- VeriSign
- If you currently have an
online merchant account.
- LinkPoint
- Included with Card Service
International Service.
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The Steps To Get Started |
- The first step is to get approval on a merchant account. We refer people
to Card Service International. They accept about 99% of all applications and
have no contracts. All merchant accounts are month to month. If you already
have an online merchant account, you will not need another one. Make sure not
to confuse a business merchant account with an online merchant account. Most
banks provide merchant accounts, but only a few support online transactions.
- The next step is to find a web hosting provider that offers E-Commerce hosting.
An E-Commerce hosting package should have some sort of shopping cart support
for you to organize your products and make buying easy for your customer. WebIntellects
offers numerous solutions to meet this need.
- Once you receive your merchant number and you have decided on a hosting
provider and shopping cart, you then need to decide on a transaction provider.
A transaction provider (or payment gateway) will tell your customers if their
credit card was declined or accepted within a few seconds. If you do not
want to take real-time credit card transactions, you will not need this.
You can always use a credit card swipe machine at your home or business to
avoid the fees associated with payment gateways.
- VeriSign
- If you currently have an online Merchant Account.
- LinkPoint
- If you need an online Merchant Account. (Included
with CSI Merchant Account.)
- The final step is to integrate the merchant account, shopping cart and
the transaction provider together. All of WebIntellects' services work seamlessly
with each other. In many cases you need only check a box to set up.
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