eCommerce - Payment Processing
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How to get paid - The Options
A Traditional Method
Possibly the least complicated method of processing a payment is by hand. You can ask people to pay by cheque or you can ask them to leave their credit card details on a secure server so that you can access and process them by hand later. Obviously you need a credit card machine to do this and this should be a cost that is taken into consideration.
Online Payment Gateway
Many high street banks provide payment gateways that will clear credit card transactions for you. These have to be integrated into your web site by a professional web developer but it is possibly the most cost effective and worry free method in the long run. Banks charge for this service and require assurances against loss but should your business plan meet with their approval this is really he best way to go.
Alternative
Paypal offer an alternative method of collecting payment via credit card. This system isn't as user friendly as a bank's payment gateway and Paypal take a higher rate of commission per transaction. If you have no other choice however, this option does give you a way to collect credit card funds without the permission of your bank.
More details about this service on request.
