Online shopping is no longer restricted to purchasing physical goods and products, as the Internet market now includes services as well. Examples of online services available for purchase from online merchants vary from website design and tax filing, to travel and babysitting. Having a reliable payment processing gateway is crucial to guaranteeing both merchant success and customer satisfaction.
In the world of online services, a consumer can research firms and even private contractors online for their projects, and then pay for the services rendered without ever having to meet in person. When it comes to filing taxes every year, consumers no longer need to hire a tax preparer in a nearby office for getting their returns in order. Companies such as TurboTax, TaxAct and HR Block to name a few, allow consumers to input their information from their tax documents and file their taxes with the IRS. Through the online portals, consumers can communicate with a tax preparer in chats, and receive assistance. Once prepared, they are charged depending on the level of service they used to file their taxes.
Companies such as Care.com connect parents to nearby sitters for various tasks, including but not limited to babysitting, nannying, house cleaning, carpool services and meal preparation. Once hired, sitters can charge the parents as services are completed, which charges the parents’ credit or debit card, and deposits the funds into the sitters account.
PayPal also works as a successful means of transferring and sending money for anything, from products, services, IOUs, and more. Connecting merchants, entrepreneurs and customers with ease through online payment has never been more prevalent than it is today, expanding merchant markets beyond local business.