Hello. I currently use paypal for a number of sites and typically I use their "Buy Now" feature. The thing I like is I can specify the URL to forward the customer too after the purchase is complete. Can this be done with google checkout Buy Now feature? Anyone know?
No, it's not set up for that. Google Checkout is really set up for tangible goods that get shipped but can be used for services and emailed software. When an order is placed Google puts a hold on the credit card amount while they do a fraud/validity check. Once that is done and the merchant is ready to ship he authorizes the credit card payment and then ships or emails the goods.
I also like Google Checkout for the sending of invoices to customers. Since most of my work is project oriented, I simply send a detailed invoice out via Google Checkout to the customer who then pays the invoice and Google notifies me of such. The Buy Now process is better with Paypal, but Google Checkout is fee free for the remainder of this month.
Absolutely. If you have an account with Google, all you have to do is hit the "Send Invoice" button, fill out the customer's email address, write a little note, put down the payment amount, and send it off. My customers seem to prefer Checkout over Paypal. I appreciate not having to pay any fees this month {I also use AdWords so they credit me during the other months enough where most fees are waived} and this is adding up. For example, I processed $1500 worth of services in the past month fee free. Do the math and you can see how much I saved with Checkout v. Paypal.