"Honey, I Can Now Take Credit Card Payments without Applying for a Merchant Account!"

Obtaining an internet merchant account to be used for accepting online payments is more difficult than obtaining a 'regular' merchant account because the card is not present nor is a signature obtained.

Also, a merchant account is expensive and most of the times you have to pay a monthly fee even though your business is extremely slow in a particular month. Only medium to large volume online businesses would benefit from their own merchant accounts.

Fortunately there are several reliable third-party credit card processing companies who will take payments on your behalf and send the money to you. Here we recommend several of them to you.

• PayPal - A Personal Account allows you to receive and send money using your email address without paying a fee. However, you can apply for a Business Account that allows you to accept online credit card payments or even check payments (for US account holders). The starting service charge is only 1.9% + $ 0.30 for receiving funds. Free to use its Shopping Cart for one-time payments. Receiving recurring payments or donations are also possible. Free to open a Business Account. More info...
  
  
• StormPay - It is similar to PayPal to send/receive funds with a registered email account. It is free to send funds from StormPay balance but 3% processing fee will be applied if the funds have to be coming from credit card or bank account registered. 3% instant rebate is available for e-check deposits. They charge 6.9% + $0.69 for receiving funds from others. Free auction listings. More info...
  
  
• 2Checkout - The service charge is 5.5% + $0.45 for each transaction. Money can be sent to you by check or deposited directly into your account (no fees for ACH deposits to US or participating Canadian bank accounts). Free Shopping Cart. Accept both recurring and one-time payments. One-time $49 setup fee. More info...
  
  
• ClickBank - This company charges a slightly higher service fee, $1 + 7.5%, because it has a built-in affiliate program. Their hop link referral system allows virtually all members in their network to be your potential affiliates. No Shopping Cart and one-time $49.95 fee applies. Not a good choice for sale of physical goods or recurring billing. More info...

• If You Do Need a Merchant Account - check this one offered by MegiWeb.com first. Beside standard US merchant account, international account is also available.
  
  
• Protect Your Digital Product's Download URL if You Sell Using PayPal - learn the most secure way to process PayPal payments over the internet without worrying about internet thieves stealing your products.
  
  
• Assessing Criticism of PayPal - by e-commerce consultant Ralph Wilson, also known as the Dr. eBiz.
  
  
• The Shopping Cart Report: E-Commerce Software and Store-Building Applications - also by Dr. Ralph Wilson, helps you decide which shopping cart program is best for your particular application.
  
  
• A Merchant's Guide to E-Commerce Payment Gateways - If you just don't know where to start with a merchant account and payment gateway -- know if your really need either -- you need to read this Merchant's Guide.
  
  
• Interview with Corey Rudl on the Secrets of an Internet Millionaire - Corey reveals how he grew his business from a one-man show in his parents' basement to four online businesses that attract over 1.8 million visitors per month and generated over $7.6 million in online sales last year.
  
  
• A New Easy Way to Create Income Streams through CBMall with a ClickBank Account - 15 ways of making money with CBMall are introduced.
  
  
• Lock It Up If You Are Selling Your Own Digital Product Such as eBook - Hiding its download link alone is not enough. You need to lock up your ebook. Click Locker allows you to instantly terminate illegally distributed copies of your products and revoke access to it if someone asks for a refund.