Though I've been using PayPal here and there for a couple of years, for the
last couple of months I have included PayPal as a payment option for my Web
Commerce Today newsletter, and more recently for my e-books. The reasons is
simple. I believe for some potential customers, PayPal is easier to use that
credit cards. I have noticed that many of the PayPal orders for Web Commerce
Today have come from European subscribers. Yes, it's a hassle to set up dual
systems (which are required because my shopping card doesn't offer PayPal's
Instant Payment Notification, IPN, as yet). But I believe it will result in an
increase in orders.
Other alternative payment systems that may merit installation by merchants
looking for additional markets to sell in include Cyphermint PayCash (See the product
brief on Cyphermint in this issue.
http://www.wilsonweb.com/wct6/altpay_cyphermint.cfm). I think they may open up markets
in Eastern Europe as well as young teenagers and micropayments. I'll be setting
up a PayCash system soon, and will report on progress in months to come.