How Google Checkout Compares to PayPal: Part 1
Posted on January 22, 2007, under Development.
Google has really been pushing their Google Checkout service as of late. The latest ploy to get users to switch from PayPal is to offer $10 off a Google Checkout order. So I thought what a better time to try out the service than now, plus I need to pick up a new Colts jersey for the superbowl party.
Signing Up
Was quick and easy, granted I already had an existing Google account, but I would imagine it would be a similar experience if you were starting from scratch. The one thing I noticed right away as I added my credit card to funding sources, is it was a lot easier to use. With PayPal you have different verification levels, and other things that kind of get in the way of “just paying for the dam thing already”.
User Interface
Google continues it’s “simple interface” to Google Checkout, which is a much appreciated change from PayPal. PayPal has so much information, and like other larges sides: Amazon, eBay; they do not know how to display all of that information to the end user efficiently and clutter free. Google’s Checkout service is young and not as mature as PayPal, or Amazon and eBay for that matter, but a look at other Google services suggests that the clutter free interface will long live with the Google Checkout service.
Integration
Google Checkout serves as more of a “checkout” service (imagine that), where as PayPal is more of a middle man for transactions. In the Google Checkout login panel I can do several things to interact with the merchant, in my case Dicks Sporting Goods. In my Google Checkout panel I am able to check the status of my order, in addition contact the merchant directly. Google takes the extra step to setup interaction between its merchants and the service.
Initial Impressions
My order is not completed yet, so I can not finish this review until the overall process is completed. My initial impression is is fast, efficient, and so far seems to get the job done. At this point I would say that I would use the service again. I have been reading a lot that Google Checkout has been getting bad reports on customer service. I am not sure where this customer service comes into play, as it’s primarily done all online and with no interaction on the part of Google. My first guess is this is for situations like charge backs and fraudulent purchases. Fortunately, at this point I have not had to ring Google up.
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