Accepting credit / debit card payments online is generally one of the first steps an online store owner will take. Trying to find the right card processor can sometimes be tricky, as each have different costs, requirements, benefits etc.. Most credit card processors require you to have an Internet Merchant Account (IMA), which again can be expensive and sometimes difficult to obtain.

Paypal offers a slightly alternative service as by definition it is an Online Payments Bureau, meaning that you don’t need to have an IMA as they process the card details for you, using their own acquiring services. Consequently Paypal, which is now called “Paypal Merchant Services” is perfect for SMEs wishing to trade online, as it has low (usually non-existent)  setup fees. This article reviews the pros and cons of the Paypal services for merchants.

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