Online CC transactions

[James L.]

hey All,

I am currently designing a site for a client. I am a second year student in web design (part time studies). I feel very comfortable with my HTML, CSS, and Javascript skills. I have NO server side skills, however.

My client, who knows I am a student and is bearing with a few aspects of my learning curve well, now wants to incorporate online credit card transactions into her site. I have not studied these at all, and was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to get started.

Do I need to develop my scripting skills for server side transactions? Can I purchase a ready made online transaction package? Etc.

The client does not need interactive database management or anything like that. It would simply be someone viewing an online cataloque, selecting an item to purchase, filling out a form which would include the c.c. transaction, and submitting it.

Thanks in advance!

[Crazy]

Well you're client is going to need a merchant account, and a credit card clearing company. You may want to check out worldpay.com, they can do both of these for you, and they have web building tools you can use to build your store. Not to mention they are probably the biggest online company that does this so they accept pratically every credit and debit card known to man.

[Ribeyed]

hi James,
i have some experience in e-commerce and credit card transactions.
First of all i do recomend using WorldPay to process the credit card details. This can very easily be incorporated into your website. If you do decide to use a server-side technology for your shoping cart etc and you decide to use ASP then i can help you all the way through the process.
For you client, fill in the initial appication for from worldpay, you will be asked for company details etc. Depending on the company, years in buisness, credit rating will depend how much holding time there is on your money. This can be anything up to 3 months before WorldPay transfer your money into your account.
3 months to wait for small companies is just not acceptable so the next set would be for your client to contact there Bank and ask if they have a service that can link into the worldpay system. One of my clients in the UK uses the Royal Bank of Scotland, by paying RBOS a set up fee RBOS have a system where they connect to the worldpay system which in turn allows the money to be in my clients bank account within 3 days :cool:
The actual intergation is done by passing your worldpayID, the order total and a few other details in the form of variables to the worldpay transaction page. The user completes the form the credit card is either allowed or rejected. The results of the transaction can be sent back into your website for you to collect and act apon.
WorldPay have very good guides that they send you to help you integrate it into your shoping cart.
If you need any more information plaese feel free to ask.
Hope this helps