5 replies to this topic

[Websolutions]

Hi,

Is there a beginners guide to payments in oscommerce stores?

I have built a number of shops for clients using oscommerce, all of which so far utilise Paypal modules. These have been relatively straight forward to setup.

I have been asked by a local shop owner if we can setup credit/debit card orders from within the site, but not being a shop keeper myself, i don't really know how it all works.

So that i am better prepared to answer these questions in future, what payment modules can be installed to accept direct payments, and what needs to be in place THEIR end to facilitate this?

For example, Worldpay and Sagepay seem popular, but i suspect the shop owner would need a merchant account with said companies first?

What if the shop owner had a business bank account with Barclays, or Lloyds TSB for example... What module would they want on their website?

Thank you very much in advance, i'm sure this will help lots of people who are designers and have no clue about taking card transactions online.

[DunWeb]

Stephen,

PayPal, Sagepay and Worldpay do NOT require merchant accounts and all can accept Debit/ Credit cards on behalf of your client. With those payment modules, your clients site does not need to be PCI DSS compliant. However, some banks offer their own credit card modules that you would install on the clients site. Those modules DO require you to be PCI DSS compliant.

In all cases, the setup is pretty straight forward.



Chris

[Websolutions]

Chris,

Wow, thanks for the speedy reply!

So which of the 2 is better/ most recommended, what are the charges and what info would i need from the shop owners to setup and test the payment modules?

Thank you ever so much

[DunWeb]

Stephen,

As I don't represent any of the aforementioned payment processing providers, you would have to do some research to find out what the fee's are. As for testing, you would first need to choose one, sign up with them for an account and then install the module into osCommerce and put the module in 'sandbox' mode for testing.



Chris

[Websolutions]

Ok, thanks Chris,

Looking at the Sagepay and Worldpay links from within oscommerce, i can see you HAVE to have an internrt merchant account to trade online.

I guess the best thing to do is send the shop owners an email with links to both official pages and let them decide which platform to use.

I read somewhe else that new businesses are more-or-less restricted to Paypal when first starting out, as you need to have serious credentials before the other merchants would take you on....

Cheers

[DunWeb]

Stephen,

I know PayPal has restrictions for unverified accounts. Verifying the account requires an attached credit card and/or verified bank account. Either option only takes days to complete but the account can still be used while it is being verified.



Chris