italian_job
12-08-2008, 08:05 PM
Hello all,
I have not participated in the forum for a while, but I am now back to share my experience for what regards my second line of online business: downloadable products (my 1st line of business is still wellness consumable products, as some of you might now).
So, let's talk now about downloadable products.
I have my own software products and I had to decide which merchant account to use in order to process credit cards.
I have used Clickbank, 1shopping cart and paypal.
My verdict is the following
1) clickbank: great to start with, above all to take inspiration and see what other publishers are doing. If you find a publisher that sells what you would like to sell, simply buy his product, go through his entire sales process, download the product, use it and...mirror what he does
I would NOT recommend you to use Clickbank for your own product for the simple reason that if you find somebody a little smart, your idea WILL be copied by an "affiliate" (who will become your toughest publisher competitor).
2) 1shoppingcart: I have tracked the shopping cart abandon rate, and I must say I was disappointed with the results. Also, the integration of a website with 1shippingcart can be difficult and you might have to hire a pro to do that for you. It is a little bit "safer" than clickbank because 1shoppingcart does not give affiliates the possibility to browse through a list of publishers' websites, like clickbank does. I do not recommend 1shoppingcart though.
3) paypal: definitely my favourite. While it is a little bit more expensive than other merchant account providers, its brand recognition is incredible, you can add their "Paypal Verified" logo on your site (and to your shopping cart). Do not mess around with Paypal: even if you have a company, paypal will always ask for the passport of the individual who is behind the company. If you sell crap, if your refunds are too high or if your chargebacks are too high, your account can be closed and you (as an individual) will be banned forever. The only thing I dont like about paypal is that if you sell many products (like I do), you can only customize 3 "top banners" per paypal account.
So, if you sell downloadable products (and I urge you to do it too, since that can also contribute to the Liberation part of your muse), do take into consideration Paypal.
Hope this helps the community
Dan
===============================
Don't know what to sell online?
www.SaleHoo-Review.com
===============================
I have not participated in the forum for a while, but I am now back to share my experience for what regards my second line of online business: downloadable products (my 1st line of business is still wellness consumable products, as some of you might now).
So, let's talk now about downloadable products.
I have my own software products and I had to decide which merchant account to use in order to process credit cards.
I have used Clickbank, 1shopping cart and paypal.
My verdict is the following
1) clickbank: great to start with, above all to take inspiration and see what other publishers are doing. If you find a publisher that sells what you would like to sell, simply buy his product, go through his entire sales process, download the product, use it and...mirror what he does
I would NOT recommend you to use Clickbank for your own product for the simple reason that if you find somebody a little smart, your idea WILL be copied by an "affiliate" (who will become your toughest publisher competitor).
2) 1shoppingcart: I have tracked the shopping cart abandon rate, and I must say I was disappointed with the results. Also, the integration of a website with 1shippingcart can be difficult and you might have to hire a pro to do that for you. It is a little bit "safer" than clickbank because 1shoppingcart does not give affiliates the possibility to browse through a list of publishers' websites, like clickbank does. I do not recommend 1shoppingcart though.
3) paypal: definitely my favourite. While it is a little bit more expensive than other merchant account providers, its brand recognition is incredible, you can add their "Paypal Verified" logo on your site (and to your shopping cart). Do not mess around with Paypal: even if you have a company, paypal will always ask for the passport of the individual who is behind the company. If you sell crap, if your refunds are too high or if your chargebacks are too high, your account can be closed and you (as an individual) will be banned forever. The only thing I dont like about paypal is that if you sell many products (like I do), you can only customize 3 "top banners" per paypal account.
So, if you sell downloadable products (and I urge you to do it too, since that can also contribute to the Liberation part of your muse), do take into consideration Paypal.
Hope this helps the community
Dan
===============================
Don't know what to sell online?
www.SaleHoo-Review.com
===============================