Google Checkout the offspring of Google search engine and PayPal affiliate cash register for eBay are big hitters in the arena of payment processing, but if you’re curious who would be more likely to win your decision, consider a few of their key strengths and decide for yourself who is the best fit for your website needs.
In terms of security and rating merchant reliability it’s a draw. Both offer bank level security and screen merchants. However, Google Checkout does have a more stringent fraud policy offering 100 percent refund within 60 days on all items where as PayPal won’t kick in until you make a purchase over $50. On the flip side, PayPal offers customer phone support with real live humans, where as Google Checkout can only be contacted through web site links and email, a possible frustration.
However, the bottom line in comparing Google Checkout vs. PayPal is marketing over versatility. PayPal is the most common choice among shoppers and is more versatile in several areas. They accept more payment options including eChecks and will make direct deductions from bank accounts, where as Google Checkout takes only credit or debit cards. PayPal also can accept international payment from 55 countries and will do currency exchange for a fee.
Google Checkout’s selling point is their ability to spread the word about your wares. Their integration with AdWords means discounts on associated services which you can have automatically taken out of your AdWord earnings. Plus when someone pulls your products up on a search engine or ad, a shopping cart icon appears which lets them make a purchase instantly.
The final consideration is cost. They are both fairly competitive but depending on the features you need for your account PayPal charges 1.9 to 2.9 percent of sales, and sometimes a per transaction fee of $0.30. Google Checkout is a flat 2 percent, and $0.20 per transaction.
