Sunday, January 18, 2015

The Top 6 eLearning Courses Payment Gateways

The Top 6 eLearning Courses Payment Gateways
Original post by Christopher Pappas @ http://elearningindustry.com/top-6-elearning-courses-payment-gateways

There's a lot of thought and preparation that goes into selling your eLearning courses online. Fromperfecting your eLearning course to choosing the ideal eCommerce platform, the process involves a variety of steps that require your full attention. However, one of the most important choices you have to make when selling your eLearning course online is the eLearning courses payment gateway that you are going to use. After all, all of your hard work and dedication will be for naught if you fail to provide your learners with a proper way to pay. Here are a few of the most well known and widely used eLearning courses payment gateways to sell your eLearning courses online, you may want to consider.
  1. PayPalThere's a reason why PayPal is one of the most popular eLearning courses payment gateways online today. It's easy to use, easy to set up, and its payment structure is simple and straightforward. There is a free version, which is ideal for eLearning freelancers, as well as an upgraded service for businesses and sites (Payments Pro). While this payment gateway option may involve higher per-transaction fees, it also happens to be flexible and easily integrable, which often makes it worthwhile. Paypal has been one of the most widely used payment gateways for about a decade, because it gives merchants the opportunity to boost sales by accepting a variety of forms of payment, from credit cards to checking accounts. It also has an advanced encryption system, which means that customer data is safe and secure, making them feel more confident when clicking the buy button.
  2. GoEmerchant
    GoEmerchant
     is a great option for those who don't want a contract-based solution, as it is a monthly service. The downside is that its features and functions are a bit basic. However, if you are looking for a more simple and straightforward preconfigured web store design, then it may be the ideal option. It does offer you the ability to set up an eCommerce platform from start to finish, including a web storefront, payment processing gateway, and a customer account management platform. You can even configure your eLearning courses payment gateway and set up a merchant account. Best of all, GoEmerchant is flexible, and you can choose to use its proprietary gateway or go through Authorize.Net, who is its partner.
  3. Merchant OneThere is a long list of “pros” for Merchant One payment processing. First, it offers competitive rates, which means that even eLearning professionals with slimmer margins can increase their online revenue. Secondly, it's easy to setup a merchant account and start accepting credit card payments quickly. Last, but not least, the gateway is safe and reliable. The “con” is that you have to sign a contract that may involve cancellation fees. If you are looking for a payment solution that allows you to accept credit cards and eChecks, and to set up recurring payments from customers, then Merchant One may be worth researching.
  4. CyberSource
    If you are looking for an all-in-one eLearning courses payment gateway solution for your eLearning courses CyberSource is easy to implement. The downside is that it does require a contract. In addition, it tends to have higher start up fees than many other payment platforms, and it typically has higher per-transaction fees, as well, which could be problematic for eLearning professionals who do larger volumes of sales. However, the higher cost may be worth it, given that it offers a range of features and functions, including a virtual shopping cart, support services, and merchant account payment gateways. CyberSource accepts e-checks, American Express, and Diners Club, in addition to most of the major credit cards.
  5. MerchantPlus
    MerchantPlus
     is a great eLearning courses payment gateway if you are on the hunt for competitive rates, shopping cart features, and advanced customer support options. However, if you are looking for accounting features also, then you may want to look elsewhere, as MerchantPlus' proprietary gateway, NaviGate, is a bit lacking in that regard. The good news is that it is affordable and flexible, making it the ideal solution for eLearning professionals who are in need of a reliable, simple, and easy to use system. Its credit card processing system integrates with most shopping cart software, web stores, and accounting software. It also makes all of its fees and contract agreements fully transparent, so you won't have to worry about any hidden surprises, which is always a plus. Lastly, it gives you the option to use Authorize.Net, if you prefer, for an additional monthly fee.
  6. Authorize.NetThe last eLearning courses payment gateway on the list is Authorize.Net which is actually one that has partnered with many others featured herein, as it is a proprietary solution that outsources its service to other providers. So, if you would like to forego the middle man and just want to stick with the source, then you may want to think about going with Authorize.Net. It offers competitive rates, shopping cart features, and premade “buy” buttons that you can use on your eLearning course page. The downside is that, since it doesn't offer you the opportunity to manage implementation directly through its platform, you will not have a merchant account, as you would typically have with other eLearning courses payment gateways. As such, it may be ideal for more experienced eCommerce eLearning professionals who don't need those extra tools or are planning on using third-party software to take care of those eCommerce functions.
Take the time to research these eLearning courses payment gateways to sell your eLearning course online, and choose the one which offers you the features and value you are looking for. In fact, it may be worthwhile to try out a few, especially those that offer free trials, to see which best suits your needs.
In addition, choosing an eCommerce platform that meets your needs and has the potential to boost your eLearning course sales is no easy task. At the article, Boost Your eLearning Course Sales, you will find 5 tips to choose an eCommerce platform in order to boost your eLearning course sales.
Looking for ways to increase your income? In the article 10 Tips to Earn Money as an eLearning Professional you will find a number of ways to help you boost your earning potential and increase your profits, even if you are new in the eLearning field.