Google Checkout explained

[AbleMods]

Introduction
Google Checkout is a (yet another) way for visitors to pay for their products. What has confused me lately is exactly "how" Google Checkout ties into the grand scheme of payment methods. The purpose of this post is to help newcomers to the ECommerce world, such as myself, understand better how Google Checkout will work.
this post is based on AbleCommerce v7 RC2

Initial Setup
Google Checkout requires a Merchant account with Google.com. If you haven't already done so, get your mechant account set up and verified. Remember that Google will require verification of your bank account by posting a small deposit to that account. You'll have to watch your bank statement to see the amount they hit it with before you can complete the AC7 side.
The Gateway setup screen for Google Checkout has a link you can click to sign up or just go to Google.com and search for Google Checkout.

Gateway Setup
Configuring the gateway setup is very straightforward. Log into your site admin and choose Configure, Payments, Gateways. Click the Add Gateway button and choose the Google Checkout gateway. On the setup screen, copy/paste your merchant login info you received from Google.
Make sure you copy/paste the Callback URL from AC7 into your Google Merchant setup screen or it's not going to work. That's how Google knows to tell your store that someone has paid for their order.
Note: you'll need to change the HTTP to HTTPS in the URL as Google does not accept unencrypted callback URLS - Able will have the screen URL corrected very soon.
Save your changes and you're done - Google Checkout is configured on your site.

Where's the Method?
Most other payment gateways you set up in AC7 require a specific payment method to be configured next. Google Checkout doesn't work this way - once the gateway itself is created, you're done. There is no method to add. I made this mistake and wasted substantial time on the presumption it worked the same way as the PayPal gateway. My thanks to Able for their patience while I got a clue.

Where's the Checkout Option
So, you're anxious to see that Google Checkout button in action right? Fire up your store, toss an item in your basket and sprint to that checkout page. But wait, there's no option for Google Checkout. You have your usual PayPal (or other payment gateway) choices, but there's no radio button for Google Checkout.
Sorry Charlie, you already failed the test. There are two places where the Google Checkout option becomes available and neither are on the final checkout page where we are used to seeing the other payment methods installed.

Option 1: Click back to your home page so the mini-basket will display in the right sidebar. Notice below the mini basket a new button aptly named "Google Checkout".

Option 2: Just click the Basket button in the page header. Again, near the bottom right of the basket will be your trusty Google Checkout button.

Google Ads Tie-in
Google has some nice perks to using their checkout if you are also running Google Ads. You can use the Merchant screen for your Google Merchant account to tie that mechant account to your Google Adwords account.
Why? If you do this, your ads will now show with a little Google Checkout image, drawing attention to your ad and away from more inferior storefront owners. Yes, I said inferior. Non Google-enabled stores are probably not even running AC7...losers.

But it also can save you money. Now that got your attention I'm sure.
You see, Google is starting to charge a 2% transaction fee for all Google Checkout transactions starting February 1st, 2008. Connecting your Google Ads account to your merchant account will qualify you to receive rebates or discounts against those fees based on your Google Ads spending. Nice way to sell two services.

Conclusion
Google Checkout has a few nifty benefits when enabled on your site. You provide yet another convenience of payment to your visitors. But you also get the ability to earn the coveted "Google Checkout Enabled" icon next to all your Google ads. By connecting your Google Merchant account to your Google Adwords account, you lower your transaction costs and increase profit margins. Hopefully. Sort of. Well maybe, but I'm not sure. Ok yeah it probably will

[Shopping Cart Admin]

Hello Joe,

Thanks again for a terrific post!

[compunerdy]

So up to this point I have never offered anything besides paypal and credit cards. Nobody has ever asked me about adding google as a payment option either. Do you think not having it as a option would deter any customers from buying?

[AbleMods]

That's a pretty tough question to answer.

In my opinion, any opportunity to make it more convenient for a customer to pay for your products is good for business.

It's easy to implement and doesn't significantly alter the look or feel of the checkout process. Why not?

My only regret is it doesn't show on the final checkout process. I'll probably add an option there for it at some point if Able doesn't. I like the idea of having all the possible methods of payment available in one place.

Consistency is key to me because people in general like predictability. Including when they are shopping. make them search for it, and you risk losing their business.

[jmestep]

I don't know how many people would want to use Google checkout if they have another option, but the big plus is displaying the Google checkout button in Google searches, as Joe said.

[AbleMods]

Already got my first order paid with Google Checkout. It authorized and captured just fine. We'll see how it works when I ship the order but so far, so good

That's like only 36 hours after I set it up before it was used by a customer.

[satori]

I've been using Google Checkout for over a year now (gotta love the 2007 free payments and now the free Adwords stuff)! We offer all major credit cards, Paypal, and early 2007 - Google too.

I've had past customers who've used Paypal or credit cards, and now solely used Google Checkout. Quite a few. I don't know why.

We get several successful orders a day via Google Checkout. The Paypal checkout abandonment is higher when they give up right away. I'd say it is very worth it! Definitely saves money on transactions now that our Adwords account is hooked up, and customers seem to love it. I enjoy paying things myself with Google.

And the Google badge is eye-catching.

[rdevarona]

I've got Google checkout configured and working properly, but I can't find a way of adding shipping costs to the order. I'm not sure if I'm missing something here. There's no way of adding shipping to the mini cart or the basket without having the customer proceed to the final checkout on our site. If Google checkout isn't an option in the final checkout page, how does AC tell Google how much shipping should cost?

Regards,

rdv

[AbleMods]

My Google amount received was $40.83 which included the freight amount for the shipping method chosen. I presume the customer is given the option for shipping methods when they click the button.

There's an option in the gateway setup for a default freight amount in the event Google Checkout doesn't process freight correctly.