E-Commerce
Many of our customers consider adding a simple method to buy an item or to make a donation through their website, while selling is not their main business. This article is aimed at them.However, if you want to build an online shop where sales is your main business then please get in touch to find out how we can help you. In general it will be down to you to buy the e-commerce software, while we will design your website's template, and offer advice as needed.
Integrating online payments into your existing website is easy to arrange. We will explain to you how to sign up to an appropriate Payment Service Provider, or PSP. (We cannot do this for you, as it requires access to bank details as well as security questions such as mother's maiden name.) Once you are signed up we can integrate the processing facility into your website.
If you do not know how well your product will sell, I recommend beginning with a PSP from the "Getting Started" section and, if all goes well, progressing to one for "Regular Sales" at a later date.
Getting Started
These PSPs provide a service with no setup or recurring charge, so that you can create an account and it won't matter how many sales you make. They are a good way to test the water and see how effectively your website is selling.They work as if they are a bank account; that is the money is transferred from a sale into your "holding" account with the provider. To get at the money, you need to withdraw it from them into your own bank account.
Recommended: Paypal
Setup is free and there are no recurring charges. Receiving payment (in UKP) is charged at 3.4% of each transaction plus £0,20. Transferral of funds into your own bank account is free for more than £50, or costs £0.25 for withdrawals below this amount.
Alternative PSPs include: NoChex, FastPay
Regular Sales
These PSPs offer a service with a setup charge and a recurring charge. They are ideal if you know you will meet a minimum number of online sales and so will be cost-effective. They have the benefit of providing an Internet Merchant Account which you need to receive payments directly.The money is transferred directly from the sale into your bank account with no middle "holding" account.
Recommended: Worldpay
Setup costs £200 and there is a monthly charge of £30. Payments are charged at 4.5% (credit card) or £0.50 (debit card).
Alternative PSPs include: NetBanx, CyberSource
Charities / Donations
These PSPs are just for charities and offer a service to accept donations online. Some have setup charges but many are free so it doesn't matter how long the account is active or how many donations you take.They can also handle Gift Aid for UK taxpayers.
Recommended: Give With Us
There is no setup charge but an annual fee based on the size of your organisation (£75 to £250). Payments are charged at 3.3% (credit cards) or 1.8% plus £0.25 (debit cards). Gift aid option is explained and offered to the donor.
Alternative PSPs include: Committed Giving, Just Giving
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[Hackney Family Backup]
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