Google CheckOut Opens For Business

Google has launched Google Checkout on June 29, 2006.

How Does It Work For Buyers?

Step 1: Have a Google account. If you don’t have one, get one here (you will need a mobile phone to activate it). This service is currently only available to Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and US.

If you cannot get a Google account, register one with your current email address (a non-Gmail address) here.

After you get your google account, simply register your credit card (step 2) with it and you can make purchases where you see the Google Checkout button.

Buyer Advantages

You get all your online purchases, shipping and tracking information all in one place. How cool is that?

It works like PayPal in the sense that your credit card information is protected from prying eyes. In fact, Google promises your online shopping experience to be so personal that you can “turn off” your email address to prevent spam.

Now, when you register with Google Checkout using a Citi card, you get $5 or 1000 Thank You Points.

Go visit the online merchants that are currently using Google Checkout as a payment option.

How Does It Work For Sellers?
Well, Step 1 is, have a Google account. (see Buyer’s Step 1 above to sign up for one if you haven’t any).

Currently, only sellers with a US address and bank account are accepted. Yea, I know, I can’t sign up either.

Step 2: Setup your Google account to sell your products. If you are a smart marketer, go sign up for it and sell via Google Checkout. Key things to note are the features of Google Checkout and the fees involved.

One thing Google always does is take care of their clients. and every dollar you spend translates to $10 worth of sales that doesn’t require processing fees. Lovely.

Watch the video on Google Checkout now - it’s about halfway down the page. Very entertaining.