Store conversions: Paying on Paypal vs paying on own site

You can set up PayPal to return the buyer to your site after payment...just FYI.

As far as the difference in sales when comparing the use of PayPal exclusively against having your own payment processor merchant acct.----well, this is the second time I have decided to add a credit card processor to my payment options.

I have had some clients who still don't understand how to make a payment, through PayPal as a processor, without having to create or have an acct. This is just the stigma of PayPal's former life where that was the only option. I have gotten too tired of holding customers' hands through the process, making them understand that they DON'T NEED A PAYPAL acct to make a payment. So how many prospects have decided to leave when they see my processor is PayPal? Probably one too many.

If you have higher priced products, you need to have a more (perceived) professional image with something other than PayPal. It's just the way the public mind is set.

When it comes to conversions, there are a lot of things you need to look at.

Because frankly, there are 2 things to look at: How are they measured -- and how do you maximize them?

Because with any sort of data collection - the results can be skewed.

If you're looking at simply an 'exact URL' for a conversion rate - and that URL hasn't completed the sale - then you have to look at that.

So - before asking 'what helps conversion rate' make sure you know WHAT you're measuring first - most people can get this messed up even though it might seem benign. This might not be addressed to you, OP, but anyone reading this.

Now, as far as MAXIMIZING conversions - there are things you can do to maximize it EVEN IF you are utilizing the same payment processor - because you do run into the issues that Julia Russo mentioned. Where no matter how 'easy' you make it - there are STILL some people that.... well... Might be low on the 'computer evolutionary chain.'.

One thing I have seen help is using a Live Chat on site. Independent of whatever payment processor you use, if someone has an issue - you can walk them through with this. Additionally, you can ALSO answer any questions they have on your product to INCREASE conversions as well.

One thing to also take a look at is the PROCESS by which someone is checking out.
so long as they have fewer steps to check out- the better. If you'r having them create a log in, then put in a payment address, then a shipping address, then confirm it, then update a zipcode for shipping, then have 343423423 upsell opportunities, then FINALLY check out? You'll have a lot of abandoned carts.

If you make the check out SIMPLE (and have a processor that makes it simple) Then you will have more conversions.