Move Over PayPal, Here Comes Google Checkout

Saul Hansell reports on the launch for the New York Times. According to Hansell, "But for merchants, the service comes with a twist: Google will waive some or all of the transaction fees for companies that buy advertising from it." Specifically, for every $1 a merchant spends on Google AdWords, the merchant can process $10 in sales for free through Google Checkout. Otherwise, merchants are charged 2% plus $.20 per transaction. Participating merchants (must be US-based at present) will have a small shopping card icon shown in their Google Ads - informing consumers that purchasing via Google Checkout is a quick and easy option.

Blogger (and former PayPal staffer) Dave McClure comments in a post on his own blog and in a comment to Charlene Li's analysis of Google Checkout: "This is no small thing to merchants, and could be a huge opportunity to get a behavioral change from merchants -- tying choice of payment option to advertising costs and business profitability is absolutely monumental."

Google's Blog post this morning about Google Checkout mentions one of the benefits to consumers: "One cool feature of Google Checkout is that you can buy from stores with a single Google login – no more entering the same info each time you buy, and no more having to remember different usernames and passwords for each store. ... And after you've placed your order, Google Checkout provides a purchase history where you can track your orders and shipping information in one place." Consumers can choose to enroll from participating merchant websites - and, once enrolled, simply use their Google Checkout account at other participating merchants.

As an incentive to get consumers signed up, Google's posted a page listing participating merchants along with one-time $10 off coupons that can be used at many of the stores. Citi is offering its cardholders a $5 bonus for enrolling in the Google Checkout service.

The Google Checkout terms of service for sellers indicates that JP Morgan Chase's Paymentech unit is Google's partner for processing card payment transactions through Google Checkout.

The buyer's terms of service for Google Checkout indicate that presently only debit or credit cards can be enrolled in the service - there's currently no ability to link a consumer's checking account as a payment instrument for use in Google Checkout.

Google's press release follows.

Google Checkout Opens for Business

Google Inc. today announced the launch of Google Checkout (http://checkout.google.com), a checkout process that makes online shopping faster, more convenient and more secure for Google users. Google Checkout offers an easy and trusted checkout option that enables shoppers to purchase from participating stores with a single Google login. It also works with Google's search advertising program, AdWords, to help merchants acquire new customers and process all or a portion of their Checkout sales for free.

"By integrating the checkout process with search and advertising, we're helping our users complete the cycle of searching, finding and buying," said Salar Kamangar, Vice President of Product Management at Google. "In the offline world, shoppers don't tolerate long lines and tedious data entry just to buy something. They shouldn't have to in the online world either. Google Checkout simplifies and improves the online purchase experience for both consumers and merchants."

Security and Convenience for Shoppers

Here's how it works: shoppers can find stores that accept Google Checkout by looking for the Google Checkout icon on AdWords advertisements or whenever they come across the Google Checkout option on a merchant's site. If shoppers want to use Google Checkout, they can create a Google Checkout login right from the merchant's site with a single username and password by entering basic information, such as their contact details, payment preferences, and shipping information, once. Then, when checking out at any store that offers Google Checkout, they can simply select Google Checkout, quickly complete their transaction with their login information, and avoid the hassle of filling out multiple forms. In addition, shoppers can keep track of their purchase history, including orders and shipping details, in one place.

Shoppers can also enhance their security when making purchases through Google Checkout. The service conceals the buyer credit card number and provides reimbursement for unauthorized purchases. And to provide more control over email spam, Google Checkout lets shoppers choose whether or not to keep email addresses confidential or turnoff unwanted email from the stores where they shop.

Google Checkout enables purchases using existing payment methods, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Citi, a leader in innovative financial services products, is offering its credit card customers a special, limited-time promotion for signing up and purchasing with Google Checkout using their Citi Card. More information can be found at http://checkout.google.com.

More Sales, Lower Costs for Merchants

Google Checkout helps merchants streamline the checkout process and also works with Google's advertising program, AdWords, so merchants can attract more customers and increase sales. The Google Checkout icon on AdWords advertisements makes it easier for shoppers to find Google Checkout stores when they search. Once shoppers buy with Google Checkout, AdWords advertisers can also process all or a portion of their sales for free. For every $1 merchants spend on AdWords, they can process $10 in sales through Google Checkout at no charge.

Google Checkout offers a wide range of integration alternatives to make it easy for merchants to provide this new checkout option on their websites. These integration options include cut-and-paste buy buttons, as well as an advanced API that integrates with existing merchant shopping carts and order management systems. Many service providers have already integrated Google Checkout with their commerce platforms, including GSI Commerce, MonsterCommerce, and ChannelAdvisor among others. To learn more about integration options and join Checkout stores like Jockey, Starbucks Store, Levi's, Timberland, Buy.com and many more, visit http://checkout.google.com/sell.

The service is currently open to all U.S. merchants, whether they advertise with Google or not, and Google is currently working to make the service available to merchants internationally.