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Setting Up Google Checkout™ with Americart 

What is Google Checkout and what can it do for me?

What does Google Checkout cost?

How do I set up my Americart to work with Google Checkout?

Are there any changes I need to make to my site?

Can I customize my Google checkout form?

Which checkout method does Americart recommend: direct credit card acceptance or Google Checkout?

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This FAQ details how Americart works with Google Checkout. Please be sure to read this entire page before you start!

In a rush? Setup instructions for Google Checkout are FURTHER DOWN this page.

Q1: What is Google Checkout and what can it do for me?

A1: Google Checkout is a checkout process integrated with Americart, and thus your website, enabling your customers to buy from you quickly and securely, using a single username and password. Once they do, you can use Google Checkout to charge their credit cards, process their orders, and receive payment in your bank account. You as a merchant do not need to acquire a Merchant Credit Card account for direct credit card acceptance.

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Q2: What does Google Checkout cost?

A2: We charge nothing extra, but you must have an account with Google Checkout, and they do charge a fee for each transaction. As of this writing, the fee seems on par with what a regular credit card charge would be.

Important note: If you already have a merchant account and a method you prefer to run charges, you can continue to use that account/method with Americart, and ALSO offer Google checkout to those shoppers who would choose it.

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Q3: I've got my Google Checkout account. How do I set up my Americart to work with Google Checkout

A3: We use the Google Level 2 Integration, the most secure and robust method Google offers.

Setup at Google:

1) Login to your Google Checkout Account: https://checkout.google.com/. (If you don't have a Google Checkout Account, you need to sign up for one!)

2) Select the "Settings" Tab.

3) Find and click the "Integration" link on the left.

4) Under "Account information", find the "Google merchant ID" Field. You will need to copy/paste this into your Americart Settings (see below)

5) Under "Account information", find the "Google merchant key" Field. You will need to copy/paste this into your Americart Settings (see below)

6) Find the "API callback URL" textbox, and enter the following: https://www.cartserver.com/google (if using the upgraded version of our shopping cart, please set this URL to https://www.cartserver.com/google/process_google_v1-5.cgi instead.)

IMPORTANT: Failure to set the API Callback URL will cause a failure in finished orders registering back through the cart.

7) Click "Save".

Setup at Americart:

1) In a separate window, load the Americart account configuration form.

2) Click "Edit Cart Settings" under the "Administration" menu to call up your present account settings.

3) Click on the "Payment Options" tab, then scroll down and check the checkbox for "By GoogleCheckout Online".

4) In the text box to the right of the checkbox in #3 above, enter your "Google Merchant ID" (from Google setup step 4 above). Be careful to make it match EXACTLY between Americart and Google.

5) In the next text box, enter your "Google Merchant Key" (from Google setup step 5 above), which must also match EXACTLY with your Google Key. In the future, if you change your Google Key, be sure to update your Americart configuration as well.

6) Scroll to the bottom of the page and submit the form to commit the changes.

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Q4: Are there any changes I need to make to my site? On the Google website, it says that I need to add some lines of HTML to my site. Is this true if I'm using Americart, or is this an automatic process?

A4: Americart handles the entire interface to Google, so you may disregard Google's comments about adding html code to your website! All you need to do is follow the instructions in Question #3 above. You may, however, wish to add some Google "Acceptance" graphics to your website to let shoppers know you accept Google checkout. See this page for more detail: http://checkout.google.com/seller/acceptance_logos.html

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Q5: Can I customize my Google checkout form?

A5: Not at this time. Google controls the process tightly, to preserve the shopper's data privacy.

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Q6: Which checkout method does Americart recommend: direct credit card acceptance or Google Checkout?

A6: We recommend that you offer both. Some of your customers will prefer Google Checkout and others will prefer standard direct credit card checkout. By giving your customers both options, you avoid putting up a barrier that could cause them not to make a purchase.

 

 
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