OpenCart Community

I'm setting up a new OpenCart shop and am wondering if customers expect multiple payment methods, or if PayPal Express Checkout is sufficient. I've had an Authorize.net account for about 10 years but most customers seem to choose the PayPal Express.

Opinions welcomed. Thanks in advance!
Merry

A feel the need to quote the line from the matrix here but I shall not unless you really insist

Personally I think paypal and a credit/debit card option is ideal. But there is no 'one size fits all'. The two options give the user enough to feel they have a choice and they know exactly what they will expect with what they choose.

+ People like choice
+ People like the normal (know what is coming)
- People do not like the unexpected

I think you only really need more here when you are dealing with a customer base that may not have either of the above available to them. Research your target customers and see what competitors in that field of sale also have as there options. There is normally a reason.

BitCoin for example - That fits in on novel websites that are aimed at the 'I like anonymous' payments. If you are selling to the anonymous then its a no brainer.

Thanks William for the thoughtful reply!

I'm hoping to hear from some PayPal "haters" too... that would definitely clinch the need for multiple methods.

Merry

I think it really depends on the type of products you sell and your target customers. Younger customers are very used to Paypal and no problem. But I find my older customers do not have a clue what Paypal is or how to use it and would rather use a credit card. So covering all the basis (I use Paypal standard and pro for credit cards) is I think the perfect solution, though stressing that Paypal express can process cards with or without a paypal account works too. You just need to make sure this is very evident during your checkout.

Hi Labeshops,

Thanks and I think you are right about that. Do you have worldwide sales or mostly in the USA? I'm wondering how popular PayPal is around the world, or whether people abandon the sale when they see it.

Merry

I do worldwide sales, mostly US, UK, and Australia though have sold to many other countries as well thru europe and south america.

Does anybody have experience with Moneybookers for worldwide payments? I opened an account with them years ago. I wonder if they are more popular than PayPal in some areas.

Merry

I think the only places Moneybookers is more popular is where PayPal doesn't accept payments. I'd stick with PayPal if you're going to choose between the two.

Just keep it simple. Don't overwhelm your customers with too many choices. At MOST , you want no more than two. Use Pay Pal. If only doing business in the USA then you could consider Authorize.net as well.

Warning about Authorize.net: Don't expect an easy ride in being able to process AMEX with A.net, for they do "not" offer it. It will be in your best interest to use Pay Pal since they already have it loaded in. It will cost you a pretty penny because you will need to set it up with your "own" merchant bank.

If you have any other questions about Pay Pal payment gateways or API's just let me know, it's a large part of what I focus on lately.