How does Credit Card Processing Work?

[Guest]

Hi. I am a web page designer considering using OsCommerce. I am trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together for myself as I try to understand ecommerce. I have a client who wants to start an ecommerce website. What I understand so far is that I have a website being hosting, and I can use OsCommerce on it if I choose. What I don't really understand is how credit cards and other payments get processed. Specifically...

 

 

How does this work?

Do I need some kind of "middleman"/"gateway" to process credit cards?

Any additional insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Pat

[Jack_mcs]

It depends a little on the payment type. If you want to use paypal, just create a business account (free) with paypal,enable the module in admin and you are all set. If you want to use one of the other methods (authorize.net,paypal_pro, linkpoint, etc), you have to set up an account with them. They usually require more information than paypal and may not even allow you to sign up if your monthly gross sales is too low.

 

Jack

[Guest]

It depends a little on the payment type. If you want to use paypal, just create a business account (free) with paypal,enable the module in admin and you are all set. If you want to use one of the other methods (authorize.net,paypal_pro, linkpoint, etc), you have to set up an account with them. They usually require more information than paypal and may not even allow you to sign up if your monthly gross sales is too low.

 

Jack

 

Thanks for the response, Jack. So if I want to use credit cards, I need to go thru a gateway, right?

[Jack_mcs]

There is a credit card module in your admin section that allows you to collect all of the information yourself. Then you will need a way to process the credit cards.

 

Jack