Is it Possible - Ecommerce on a Tiny Shoestring Budget?

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Nov 22, 2003

What is the least expensive way to make a tiny new website business capable of receiving credit cards? The goal is to be able to receive credit card payments directly without using Paypal and the like.

The website - not ecommerce enabled at this time - is presently hosted with ipowerweb and must stay there for at least nine more months. Are a merchant account and payment gateway absolutely necessary in this situation?

What are the three largest and most reputable payment gateways used for processing online credit card payments? Are these gateways even desirable in this situation.

This case involves a new, financially struggling, one person (specifically one mother) business trying to make some much needed extra income. Therefore, the associated expense of making the website capable of receiving credit card payments must be kept as low as possible - otherwise, it will simply not be affordable for this individual.

It is a tall order - I know - but I want to help her. Your wise and experienced counsel would be greatly appreciated.

Ambassador
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Well depending on where she is, start with Paypal. Open up another bank account specifically for Paypal for this. And then you can start doing others. You can consider a third party processor as well - these usually costs less than $100 in set-up but their discount rates & tranaction rates are usually higher.