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SEO, Security and Payment Processing |
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Checkout - After deciding on items to purchase, the customer is normally taken to a secure checkout page where their order can be reviewed and card details can be entered. At this stage, if you are planning to accept credit card details directly, the Web Site should switch to the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) mode. SSL is a widely used encryption technology which means that the information passed back and forth between the checkout page and the server is encrypted thus helping to prevent the credit card information from being stolen. For customers using Internet Explorer a padlock symbol will appear on their browser to show that the page is secure. To offer an SSL secure site you must have an SSL secure server and gain a digital certificate from one of the issuing authorities.
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Authorisation - The store owner must now obtain authorisation in order to charge the credit card for the goods ordered. In most cases, authorisation, is simply a check to see if the card as been reported stolen and that there are sufficient funds available. This is done through a card processing company, at which the store owner will require an account. There are two ways to obtain authorisation:
- Manually: The store owner downloads the order details and card information from the web server hosting their online store. The store owner then requests authorisation using their normal method such as a point of sale (POS) terminal or PC program.
- Automatically: The web server hosting their online store communicates directly with the credit card processing company server and authorisation is arranged automatically. This is the preferred method for most online traders.
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We recommend Protx for online credit card processing of payments from osCommerce online shops. But don't forget you will also need an Online Merchant Account.
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Capture - Once authorisation is achieved, the credit card is debited. This can happen automatically at the same time as authorisation if the store owner guarantees that the order will be delivered within a certain fixed time. If this is not the case, capture should take place when the order is ready for delivery. This will require a manual capture process.
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Online Merchant Account - An online merchant account is required in order to accept card payments once 'captured'. A 'merchant account' will allow you to accept and hold payments from credit card transactions. An 'online merchant account' is very similar to the merchant accounts used for mail order because the card is not present in both cases. Most high street banks in the UK offer online merchant accounts but can be quite selective, sometimes preferring store owners to have a proven track record of two years trading. There are also specialist companies offering merchant accounts.
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Alternative Payment Systems: An often simpler option for those new to online trading is to use one of the alternative payment systems below for accepting credit card payments.
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- WorldPay is part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group and provides a very popular all-in-one package for payment processing by offering a merchant account with integral card processing and checkout. This means that when your customers reach the check-out page at your site, they are seemlesly transferred to WorldPay's secure payment server, where they enter their card details. WorldPay servers are linked to the banking networks, so that card details can be transferred directly for immediate authorisation. Once completed, the customer is transferred back to your site to complete the checkout process. This service may cost a little more than the conventional payment method described above but offers other advantages, such as simplicity, multi-currency payments, repeat billing and a sophisticated anti-fraud system.
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- NOCHEX is an online payment system that enables you to accept instant, guaranteed, low cost payments from debit cards in issue in the UK. At check-out, your customers are transferred to the NOCHEX site, their debit card details and email address are taken and they are transferred back to your site on completion of the authorisation procedure. As NOCHEX payments are guaranteed, unlike credit card payments, you have no need to worry about "fraudulent" transactions or 'chargebacks' being claimed back from you.
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PayPal enables any business or consumer with an email address to securely, conveniently, and cost-effectively send and receive payments online. The PayPal network builds on the existing financial infrastructure of bank accounts and credit cards to create a global, real-time payment solution. PayPal is the popular choice of those currently underserved by traditional payment mechanisms. As with WorldPay, at check-out your customers are transferred to the PayPal site where payment details are processed before the customer is returned to your site. PayPal is widely used across the worldwide internet community and has strong links with ebay, the online auction house.
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eShopFitters Online Shops are fully compatible with Protx, WorldPay, NOCHEX and PayPal. There are also many other payment systems available (too many to list). If your preferred system is not discussed here, then please contact us to check availability.
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Traditional payment methods - As some customers are unwilling to submit their details over the internet you may wish to accept orders via fax or telephone. The store owner then requests authorisation using their normal method such as a point of sale (POS) terminal or PC program. You may also wish to accept payment via cheque/postal order or invoice.
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eShopFitters Online Shops are fully compatible with all of these methods.
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Do you need more information like this?
Subscribe Now! to our FREE newsletter. Each newsletter contains useful information relevant to online trading in the UK. It is absolutely FREE and you can unsubscribe at anytime. |
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Notice of Liability
The payment processing accounts described are totally separate to the eShopFitters service and should therefore be arranged directly with the account providers. These providers will usually charge a fee for their services. The information in this guide is supplied on an 'as is' basis, without warranty. While every precaution as been taken in the preparation of the guide, eNorth Limited shall have no liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by instructions contained in this guide or by the products described in it. The information in this guide does not constitute a recommendation of any of the products described.
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