28 September 2006 | Author: C. Philip

Google Checkout is launched

The much anticipated launch of Google Checkout has finally happened! Murmurings about this product have been ongoing for what seems like forever with bigmouthmedia news documenting much of Google Checkout's early development stages. The launch comes the day after Google celebrate their eighth year anniversary, and what an eventful eight years it has been. It is easy to imagine that Google has been around for a lot longer than this, such is their maturity and global reputation. Internet years, we must remember, can be likened to dog years, as development in one year can make it seem like a lifetime's worth of progression.

Google will now officially start their mission to conquer the world of online payments, a market that the online payment giant, PayPal, currently has a stranglehold on. Breaking the mould of a market which currently has a dominating, globally recognised market leader in PayPal will not be easy and, for once, Google will find themselves the underdogs. Will Google's David ultimately be able to triumph over PayPal's Goliath? It is hard to make judgement at this stage but we can certainly highlight the features, functionality and general vibe of Google Checkout, which should give you an idea of what PayPal are up against.

Check Google Out!
Google Checkout's main aim is to process transactions whilst striving to enable merchants to sell more and spend less. To set up access to Google Checkout you must own a Google AdWords login or a Google account. Using Google AdWords gives you further privileges with Google Checkout as Google endeavour to interlink their offerings and give their customers attractive incentives, thus luring them away from competitors. For every $1 you spend on AdWords each month, you can process $10 in sales the following month through Google Checkout for free.

Google Checkout can be implemented very easily to your e-commerce strategy, allowing you to start receiving orders immediately. There are three main options for implementing Google Checkout to your site:

• Buy Now Buttons

If you don't need shopping cart functionality, you can integrate with Google Checkout using 'Buy Now buttons'. To do this you simply need to add HTML code supplied by Google to your website to display these buttons near the products you're selling. Buyers who click these buttons will be brought to a secure Google Checkout page where they can complete their purchase. The buttons are well branded and attractive to the browser, and come in three sizes.

• E-Commerce Partners

Google has a range of e-commerce partners. These are listed on the Google Checkout site. If the shopping cart on your site is currently provided by one of these e-commerce partners, you will be able to integrate with Google Checkout in minutes.

• Google Checkout API

If you aren't using a shopping cart from one of Google's commerce partners, you can integrate your current shopping cart via the Google Checkout API. There is also an additional option of integrating your order processing system with Google Checkout.

Once you've completed the integration process you can immediately start processing orders. This can be done in the Google Checkout Merchant Center or with your own order processing system if you prefer.

Order details are sent directly to your inbox, you will be sent estimated taxes and net revenue for each order number. You can also choose your shipping carrier and enter a tracking number as needed. The image below shows the order details as they appear in your inbox.














You can then charge the customer's credit card by simply clicking a 'charge' button beside the appropriate order. When you have shipped the order you must then inform the buyer that it is on its way by clicking on the button 'ship' in your inbox.

The overall checkout implementation and order process is simple and Google have done a great job with the order interface within your e-mail inbox. Google's branding is striking and effective and we will no doubt soon be getting used to seeing the Google Checkout buttons popping up everywhere.

To break you in gently here's what the purchase acceptance button looks like:

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