Electronic Commerce (Charles River Media Networking/Security)

“If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple of house payments.”

—Anonymous

Overview

Online payment processing requires coordinating the flow of transactions among a complex network of financial institutions and processors. Fortunately, technology has simplified this process so that, with the right solution, payment processing is easy, secure, and seamless for both you and your customers. This chapter provides you with what you need to know about online payment processing issues:

• Online payment processing basics

• The payment processing network

• How payment processing works

• What you should know about fraud

• What to look for in a payment processing solution

• Getting started

After you’ve read this chapter, you’ll understand the issues and essential elements of accepting payments online, the most important step in putting your Web site to work for you.