Popular search engine company Google Inc. announced an addition to its company with the launch of Google Checkout, an online checkout process aimed at making Net shopping faster, more convenient, and more secure for Google users. Google Checkout offers a 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,” says 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.”
According to information posted on the Google website, the new system works like this: 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.
The service allows several ways for users to shop with increased online security. The buyer’s credit card numbers are concealed and Google Checkout will reimburse shoppers should they accrue any unauthorized purchases. In addition, shoppers have the option of turning off email from stores where they have purchased items; this allows the shopper to control spam sent to their email accounts.
Google Checkout enables purchases using existing payment methods, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
The checkout system is being touted to online merchants as well as shoppers. Google charges merchants 2 percent of the value of each sale plus 20 cents per transaction. Once shoppers buy with Google Checkout, AdWords advertisers can also process all or a portion of their sales for free. For every 1 dollar a merchant spends on AdWords, they can process 10 dollars in sales through Google Checkout at no charge. AdWords is the advertising program offered by Google, where merchants can purchase cost-per-click (CPC) or cost-per-impression (CPM) advertising.
Google Checkout offers integration options that include cut-and-paste buy buttons as well as an API that integrates with existing merchant shopping carts and order management systems.
Although a press release for the services states “the service is currently open to all U.S. merchants,” the first item (in alphabetical order) listed under Google’s “Unacceptable product categories” is “adult goods and services.” That category includes pornography and other sexually suggestive materials (including literature, imagery, and other media), as well as escort or prostitution services.
