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ACCEPTING PAYMENT ONLINE > Payment Gateways | SSL Certificates

There are 2 main ways you can securely accept credit card payments online.

Checkout
The first is using a secure online "checkout" service. PayPal is a fairly well known example, where the customer is taken off your website to a secure transaction page. The liability rests with PayPal so they charge fees accordingly for each "secure" transaction. Visit their website for their latest fee information. Setting up an account with PayPal is free. It's easy, secure and lots of people have a PayPal account already set up because of EBay. It does however take a couple of days for the money from any transactions to become available. PayPal is not the only gateway option available. See a list of compatible gateway providers >

All you have to do for PayPal to be integrated with your online shop is open a PayPal Express Check account and send us the associated email address. We'll plug it into your website in the setup process. PayPal also offer Payflow Gateway as there merchant account option.

Merchant
The second way of accepting online payment is an online "merchant account" and to plug a "payment gateway" directly into your website software so you can accept online credit card payments directly into your bank account and without the customer leaving your website. An SSL Certificate is also required.

A gateway can take a little time to set up and your bank is going to want to see your shop online and in action. That's why we set PayPal up as the default method of accepting online credit card payments with your software. If your online shop is open for business you need to be able to accept immediate credit card payment, the currency of the internet, otherwise that sale is going to someone who can.

The fees involved with setting up a "merchant account" include OnClick Design $88 setup + your gateway provider's fees (see guide below) + your banks fees + an SSL Certificate

Gateway provider's fees are fairly standard. These are the most significant:

Setup fees: These fees are charged when you first establish your gateway (before it's built), and are generally non-refundable.

Monthly fees: As with most merchant account services, gateway providers charge a monthly fee for their service. This fee is usually independent of monthly processing volume.

Transaction fees: Most providers charge for every transaction they process, regardless of whether the transaction has been approved or declined.

Additional Features: Generally, gateways charge for any additional features you might decide to use. Charges may include set-up fees, monthly fees, and transaction fees that are separate from the standard charges above.

See a list of compatible gateway providers >