Payment Processing and Online Support Services

Accepting Payments for Your Internet Business

If you sell products on the Internet, you may want a Merchant Account that allows you to accept credit cards on your website. Another popular option is using PayPal to accept payments, including credit cards, and it costs you much less.

If your products are downloadable, often considered Information Products, there are alternatives. You can use an affiliate bank for hosting your files and accepting payments. They also make it easy to have others promote your products for a commission.

Merchant Payment Processing as an Internet Business

You may also want to be a service provider, or agent for Payment Processing services. To get customers, you would need to partner with the gateways and provide setup services. Plus you would need to build your customers yourself (Marketing again), and provide your own support for them.

My son once asked me to look into an offer he heard over the radio. It was supposed to be "proven, turnkey, business opportunity" to receive "residual-passive income" on the Internet.

I reviewed the catchy website name he gave me. The website did NOT even state what the business was, but it had a slew of testimonials about how good it was and the great profits others had reaped. It cost $37 dollars to have a kit containing 5 CD's and a paperback sent with the details. I did it (for research ;-)

I reviewed the program (below) and decided it was not right for me, or my son. Then I called for the "full refund" promised. The operator told me this: Rather than send the kit back, I could opt for a single $19.95 charge on my credit card and avoid the hassle of returning the materials.

"That was my inspiration for this website"! I still have these materials, and am now adding my review of The Berman Differential, a Merchant Bankcard Services business. While, this opportunity might be just what you are looking for, it's not for me.

Like most estore owners, I had a Merchant Payment Processing Account and there ARE regular fees, meaning somebody makes money - regularly. Maybe it sounds interesting to you.

BUT, here was the genius part of that plan to my way of thinking. They got my $19.95, even though I didn't want to pursue it any further! Great marketing exposure and a good plan to get at least $19.95 from most everyone, even if they are expecting a complete money-back refund. Sending the kit back is a hassle in itself.

Here was another lesson: The strong advertising campaign introducing the system did not even say what the business was. I hate that. Overall, it left a bad taste in my mouth. But, I am SURE they made money on just "advertising" their system due to the need to purchase the initial package, and the "deal" to keep it for $19.95.

Much of the information and "testimonials" I found on-line about Internet Business offers include high-pressure sales tactics. While I don't like them, THEY DO WORK! Yeah, it's true!

This simply means there is good money to be made in Internet sales. Some people can get people to purchase "a dream of becoming rich the easy way". Hey, don't believe it! There ain't no "easy way"! You MUST learn Internet Marketing!

Other Internet Services and Support

For the most part, these are not home-based business options. Most services supporting Internet Marketing are provided by full-service technical companies with several servers and a large technical staff for support, and development of more and better programs.

There are opportunities to provide technical software, games and such for programmers. Usually they work for the "big guys", but I know I have seen several small timers out there with good products, training manuals, and programming support sites, kind of like this one.

That said, I've seen many useful sites that might be setup by enterprising individuals or small teams. There are public forums about various niches that sell ad space. There are linking tools, keyword tools, banner ads and graphic services, copyrighting and article writing services, and the like. Some of these CAN be developed cheaply (outsourcing is an option) and managed by a small business at home and can bring in a good buck!