Understanding Your Merchant & Gateway Accounts
June 30, 2008
Sample:
If you did 5 transactions per month at $100 each, your monthly bill would be:
Gateway: $15
Merchant: $10 + (5 x .30) + (5 x $2.30) = $26.45 TOTAL: $41.45
If you did 50 transactions per month at $100 each, your monthly bill would be:
Gateway: $15
Merchant: $10 + (50 x .30) + (50 x $2.30) = $140 TOTAL $155
As you see, the Merchant/Gateway bills will fluctuate based on your monthly sales.
Setting Up Your Shopping Cart System
June 30, 2008
If you’re at the point of “I know I need a shopping cart, but I have no idea how to pick one”, this article is for you.
I walk you through 12 key items you want in a shopping cart. Sounds like a lot… but as you’ll see, I just touch lightly on each one- but more importantly- reviewing this list will also help shape your picture of exactly how the shopping cart fits into your online business.
And to avoid the suspense, the choice I recommend is Web Marketing Magic Pro. It is a 1shoppingcart compatible system, and not only it the fucos of this site, it’s what I use myself.
This video will explain why I’m confident it’s the one for you also. Read more
PayPal- What Is It, Do I Need It, How Do I Get It
June 30, 2008
If you don’t already have a PayPal account, it’s time you did.
There are over 100 million people across the world who use this ver simple and very secure method of making online payments. While it might not be your biggest source of customer payment, there are some people who not only prefer using PayPal over credit cards, some will not pay any other way.
The setup is simple and FREE, and within a few minutes you’ll be able to integrate your account with your shopping cart so customers can make their own choice.
A few notes about PayPal:
- Simple setup, your shopping cart can be ready to accept PayPal in minutes
- Customers can pay without revealing credit card or bank info
- Makes it very easy to send money to an individual, or vice versa
- Your PayPal account is identified by your email- easy to remember.
ex. If your friend wants to send you money, all you need to say is “Hey Steve, just PayPal (send) me the $100 to dave@84roots.com”. That’s all he needs to deliver the $$$!
Here’s a video explaining a bit more about how PayPal works, how to sign up for your account, and how to integrate it into your shopping cart process.
Read more
1SC: Understanding the Online Selling Process
June 30, 2008
Before we dive in with setting up your online store, I’d like to make sure you have a grasp of the selling process your new system will take customers through. This will make a big difference in the subsequent steps making sense to you.
NOTE: The following is a dramatization in the very near future, of an eager customer finding your website and going through the process you’ll soon have set up:
1. After some specific Googl’ing, Joe Customer reaches your sales page. He reads your copy, sees your product, and his heart starts racing… THIS is what he’s been looking for! THIS is the info he needs! And for ONLY $37? Wow! His lucky day! As he reaches for his credit card, his mouse wheel is frantically scrolling down your site until he sees an attractive button that says “Buy Now!”
2. Upon clicking this button, Joe reaches a friendly and familiar page titled “View Cart Items”. Since he only ordered this one item, he can see it listed on the page- and he can’t wait to download it! No need to click the “Continue Shopping” button, he’s ready to fork over some money NOW. Joe clicks the “Check Out” button.
3. Another familiar site… the Checkout Page. Joe knows the routine. (He’s no stranger to online purchases.) He types his name, address, email… then whips out his Visa. With blazingly quick fingers, he enters the 16 digits, along with the expiration date (“Don’t forget that 3-digit code!” Joe reminds himself). There’s some info at the bottom of the page about the agreement of sale, guarantee, blah blah blah… (“who reads that stuff anyway,” he thinks.) Then, with a powerful pointer finger slam, he triumphantly clicks the “Submit Order” button!
4. The next 0.5 seconds are agonizing for Joe. (“What if my card is declined? Did I pay my bill? Am I over my limit? What if…”) But alas, VICTORY! A page appears on his screen with the bold title: “Your Order Has Been Accepted! Please click the link below to download your Product!” Joe is giggling with anticipation. (meanwhile, behind the scenes, the process of tapping Joe’s credit card for $37, and depositing into your bank account is already in motion.)
5. Clicking the “Download your Product” link, a familiar Windows box appears, asking him if he wants to save the file to his hard drive. “Oh, you better believe I do,” Joe whispers out loud as he sips his Mountain Dew. “I’m even going to create a separate directory for you… my precious.” When the “Save” button is clicked, the download status bar grows, and grows, until… DONE! Slowly Joe opens the file, basking it the wisdom and knowledge you’ve provided for him.
6. Later, while checking his email, he receives an email receipt from you- how considerate and professional. A few days later, a personal email from you arrives in his inbox (after all, it does starts out “Dear Joe”), politely thanking him for his purchase- and reminding him about another great product he might be interested in. Feeling touched, Joe now considers you family, and looks forward to not only hearing from you again, but buying another wonderful information product you have to offer.
By the way, you were away on vacation when all of this happened. When you return- relaxed and tanned- the money is waiting for you in your (expanding) bank account.
To see a visual representation of the process described here, follow along in this diagram:
1SC: Sending a Broadcast Email Message to Your List
June 26, 2008
If you want to send and email instantly to EVERYONE on your list- or to a subset of your list- the wat to go is using the “Broadcast” (sometimes called a “blast”) feature.
I’ve put together a screen capture video to show you exactly how this is done. In addition, you can download and print a “cheat sheet” version to add to your notes.
Getting Started: The 4 Big Accounts
June 25, 2008
“What do I need to set up before I start my online business?” This is a very common (and smart) question to ask. And while you may eventually implement a dozen features to enhance your selling/marketing processes, there are 4 accounts that are ESSENTIAL to getting things rolling.
Once these 4 are in place and integrated with each other, visitors will be able to view your website, click a “Buy” link, enter credit card info, and instantly download your digital product- without you lifting a finger. Oh- and the best part- their money is automatically transferred to your bank account. Sweet.
Here are the 4 accounts:
1. Shopping Cart Account- A solid shopping cart account is the backbone of your Internet business. It’s where you go to add products, check your orders, manage your customer list, set up automatic autoresponder emails, and much more. Choosing the right one is crucial- changing this down the road means scrapping everything you’ve done up to this point.
I highly recommend www.WebMarketingMagicPro.com.
2. Payment Gateway Account- In the .5 seconds after a customer enters his credit card info, a decision has to be made as to the legitimacy of the payment. Your gateway does this, and decides if the order is “Approved” (continue with order) or “Declined” (return to shopping cart with error). Because of it’s function, it must be integrated with both your shopping cart AND your merchant account (keep reading).
I highly recommend Authorize.net.
2. Merchant Account- This is what allows you to accept credit cards online. You Merchant Account company are the people who, behind the scenes, transfer the money from your customer’s credit card account to your bank account. Since you’re dealing with sensitive financial info, there is an application process and a few hoops you have to jump through. Make sure you find one with a good reputation solid support team.
I highly recommend eOnline Data.
(NOTE: If you decide to purchase through the link here, three cool things will happen:
- First, I will get affiliate credit. Just full disclosure.
- Second, ALL the setup fees ($79-$99) will be WAIVED. This is a fee charged to customers that usually goes to the affiliate (me). I told them I’d rather they just not charge it at all. You’re welcome.
- Third, and most important- they will concurrently set up your Merchant Account AND a Gateway Account with Authorize.net, AND configure them. Trust me, this is a very good thing for you!
3. Web Host Account- This is the “rented” space on the Internet where your website(s) live. Once you have your website loaded here, the whole world can see it- and you then can integrate your shopping cart. A good web hosting company will allow you to host multiple domains (a domain is your website’s name- i.e. Mysite.com), you can get email accounts for each domain, and you should get a strong tech support department in case you need some help.
Hosting companies I recommend:
HostGator.com
HostMonster.com
HostwithStan.com
Getting all 4 of these set up is crucial to do- and TEST- before you start bringing customers your way.
If you’re up for the challenge- dive right in, and check this site for resources to help. If you’re looking to get all 4 of these set up quickly and efficiently- you might want to consider my special Starter’s Setup Package through my Web Marketing Magician consulting.
Either way, I wish you the best of luck with your online business adventures!
The 3 Types of Products You Can Sell
June 24, 2008
When selling anything online, your products will most likely fall into one of the three categories: physical, digital, and registration.
Becoming familiar with these will not only help you to setting them up efficiently, but also give you a bigger overview of how the selling/delivery process for each of them functions.
Below I’ve listed each of they product types, along with special notes about effective ways to set up each.
1. Physical Products. Anything that is actually delived in the mail is a digital product. CDs, books, vitamins, stuffed animals- all these fall into this category.
NOTES:
- Fulfillment: While your shopping cart will send you a notification of any physical product order, YOU are responsible for arranging duplication, packaging, and shipping (aka fulfillment) for these orders.
- Shipping Charges: You’ll probably want to incorporate a Shipping Charge in your shopping cart for each physical product that is ordered.
(Products/Manage Products/<your product>/Shipping Price)
HOW TO: “Autograph” Your Website
June 23, 2008
I’m sure you’ve seen it before.
You visit someone’s web site and down near the bottom of their intro page, after the “Sincerely”, is their actual signature.
As if they pulled out a Sharpie and signed the web page themselves. Something like this..
To Your Financial Independence,
.
...
Does this increase the website sales and conversions? Who knows. Test it out. But let’s face it, it’s kind of cool, and adds a bit of class.
And, in less than 15 minutes, you could have one on your site.
SEMINAR: Fred Gleeck’s Info Product 1 Day Seminar
June 23, 2008
If you’re interested in creating products to sell online, the person most qualified to guide you to success is Fred Gleeck. Know as the “Product Guru, Fred has been involved in the information product business for over 20 years, and has developed and marketed thousands (yes, THOUSANDS) of information products.
This audio is from a sold out Info Products Seminar in San Francisco, and is itself is one of Fred’s most popular products, as it is perfect for anyone- beginners or seasoned vets- who are looking to become successful marketing their own info products.
In addition to making this recording available for FREE, he is also offering FIVE of his best selling books at no charge- for more info see his info at the end of this article.
Read more
HOW TO: Recording Audio With a USB Microphone (Part 1- Getting a Mic)
June 16, 2008
Ever wanted to record something quick and create a CD, add audio to your website, or narrate a Powerpoint presentation?
If so, you may also have found the flimsy plastic microphone that came with your computer is ok for online chatting, but not recording a professional CD. What are your options?
My suggestion is to pick up a USB Mircrophone- one that plugs directly into your computer, download Audactity- a great (and FREE!) program that allows you to easily record, edit and export ready-to-go audio files!
A great USB mic that I’ve been very happy with is the Samson CO1U condenser mic. The quality is great, the price is reasonable, and the setup is a snap. You can probably find one at a local sound/music store, or order it from my favorite online equipment retailer, B&H. Here’s the link:
When it arrives, the following video will walk you through setting it up and connecting it to your computer.
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About Dave
Dave Hamilton has a passion for helping normal, non-techie people find success in the online marketing world. His highly sough after "Web Marketing Magician" consulting services combine his 20+ years of technical experience with his love of helping individuals and small businesses achieve their online dreams.
Dave resides in Tampa, Florida with his beautiful wife and three outrageously funny kids.
