Online payments with Google

The new service offers an easy and secure payment method, thanks to which buyers can make purchases in participating stores by logging into the Google system just once. The mechanism also works with the Google AdWords advertising program, helping merchants acquire new customers for free, whose transactions are fully or partially processed.

– By integrating the payment process with search and advertising, we help our users close the loop that begins with searching, continues through finding the desired results, and ends with a purchase – said Salar Kamangar, Vice President of Product Management at Google.

How the service works: customers can find stores that accept Google Checkout payments by looking for the system’s icon on AdWords ads, or by checking if the Google Checkout option appears on the merchant’s website. If a customer wants to use Google Checkout, they can create their account directly from the merchant’s site by providing – once – a username and password, as well as basic information such as contact details, payment preferences, and shipping information. Then, when the customer makes a payment at any store that offers the Google Checkout option, they simply select it and quickly complete the transaction by providing their login details, which saves the hassle of filling out multiple forms.
Furthermore, customers can keep their entire purchase history in one place, including placed orders and delivery details. Buyers also increase their security by making purchases using Google Checkout. The service hides the customer’s credit card number and provides a refund in case of unauthorized transactions. Additionally, to increase control over spam, Google Checkout allows buyers to specify whether they want to hide their email address or opt out of unwanted mail from the stores where they make purchases.

Google Checkout allows purchases using existing payment methods, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards.
Citi, a leader in the market for innovative financial services, is offering its customers a special, limited-time promotion. The condition for participation is to create an account and make a purchase via Google Checkout using a Citi credit card.

The service is currently available to all merchants in the USA, regardless of whether they advertise on the Google network. Work is also underway to make the service available to merchants from other countries.