In a simplified version of a common scenario, eCommerce software on the web
site, such as an online shopping cart, submits the payment to a gateway
service which accepts the credit card information and ensures that it is
valid payment for this purchase.  The ball is then handed off to a merchant
account provider who gets the money into the store owner's account.

For a shopping cart, I like osCommerce (http://osCommerce.com).  Open
Source, PHP/MySQL storefront solution. I've written several of my own and so
I feel qualified to judge this kind of product.  They have a team that has
been working for years to mature their product, which is why I use it.

As for the gateway, I recommend AuthorizeNet (AN) (http://authorizenet.com).
You can process cards automatically from your site or you can use their
virtual terminal from your admin panel to manually process a card.

To set up AN and your merchant account, you use an agent who handles all the
work for you.  I use this one:

Kristie L. Smith
eCom Merchant Solutions
www.ecommerchantsolutions.com
503.674.4920 direct
888.277.3332 toll free
800.798.3534 fax

Of course, this is an overview, not a detailed how-to. The latter depends
heavily on the software and services you choose, however, and so it might be
worth considering that you should investigate those first...:).

D



----- Original Message -----
From: "John McDougald" <jmcdouga(at)jazzalleyxg.com>



Hello,
Anyone know how I can set-up a on-line purchasing account for a website?
I have a client who wishes to offer on-line ordering to their customers.
If you can assist me in HOW-TO set one up or know where I can learn
about setting up a online account for a website please reply. Any help
would be appreciated.

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