Earlier this year, Google extended an offer to merchants to take advantage of Google Checkout services for free until the end of the year, a gesture that rival PayPal matched in kind. Tuesday, the company officially extended the offer of free services until December 31, 2007.
Google Checkout Up 30%
Hitwise reports that downstream traffic to Google Checkout is up 30% in the past four weeks, with the number one store, by far, being Buy.com. Buy delivered 18.3% of Checkout’s traffic, with number 2 Dick’s Sporting Goods way behind at 4.8%. Of course, Google’s major “Free Money” promotion is the biggest thing driving people to use the service, and with it running until the end of December, we’ll have to wait for January numbers to see if there is a big drop-off.
Seasonal Changes At Google Checkout
Google Checkout has, as expected, instituted a few changes in response to the holiday shopping season. Look for a smattering of new merchants – including PETCO – and for the opportunity to save $10 (in more than one way).
Glitches Surface In Google Checkout
It appears that the good people of Google may have a bit more fine-tuning to do on one of their newer products. Users have reported experiencing a few glitches as they tried to take advantage of Google Checkout. Long delays are also trying the patience of some.
Checkout Poses A Risk To Google
Although Google may think of its Checkout service as an extension of its existing payment system, but it also presents a business shift that portends both risk and reward.
Google Flips The Checkout Switch
The Google Checkout process officially launched, offering its users a unified shopping process that emphasizes safety and user control of the online retail experience.
Check Out Google Checkout
Garett Rogers has discovered some interesting domain information that looks related to Google and a possible checkout process.
New PayPal Checkout Process Makes Online Shopping Easier
Using PayPal as a gateway for accepting online payments has just become much more attractive. PayPal, owned by eBay, has always been considered one of the best, most secure choices of payment for auctions, whether by check or credit card. But one of the biggest drawbacks to it has been the restriction that the buyer also had to have a PayPal account in order make that payment.