Google Data » Anita

Improvements to developer documentation

Anita — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:18:00 +0000

We've improved and reorganized the Google Checkout Developer Guide in several ways to make it easier for developers to choose and implement one of Checkout's integration options.

First, we've updated the left-hand menu and improved navigation throughout the documentation. We've also expanded the documentation to include all integration options, including email invoices, Buy Now buttons, and the store gadget. You can now either read more about which integration option is best for you or you can use the new recommender to guide you through a step-by-step questionnaire to help you decide.

In addition, we've reorganized the documentation into three main sections that are shown in the left-hand menu: 'How To', 'Developer Guide', and 'API Reference'. Two of the sections have been further divided into 'Part I: Setting up Checkout orders' and 'Part II: Processing orders'. In Part I, each integration option has a detailed 'How To' page that describes how to modify your website so that buyers can purchase your product or service through Google Checkout. In Part II, you can find details about the different ways to process those Checkout orders. In-depth descriptions of the HTML API and XML API for both Parts I and II can be found in the 'Developer Guide' section.

Please submit any comments or suggestions about these changes to the Developer Guide documentation category of the Checkout Merchant Forum.

Posted by Doug Kramer, Technical Writer

Sell with confidence using Google Checkout’s fraud protection

Anita — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:46:00 +0000

With the Merchant Risk Council Semi-Annual Meeting taking place this week, we wanted to tell you more about the fraud detection and protection that goes on behind the scenes at Google Checkout. Every Checkout merchant benefits from our industry-leading fraud detection systems, which allow merchants to increase sales and reduce some of the costs and risks of running an online business. Overall, Google Checkout merchants experience significantly less fraud than industry averages reported in CyberSource's 2009 Fraud Report.*

Before orders are even charged, Google proactively filters out fraudulent orders using our proprietary fraud detection technology. We supplement this technology by performing manual reviews and examining buyer information across multiple merchants.

For orders covered by our Payment Guarantee Policy (98% of all Checkout orders on average), you won't waste any time or money in performing fraud checks or identity verification, even if the AVS or CVV information doesn't match or you aren't familiar with the customer. With Payment Guarantee information available at a glance in your account, you can quickly review what you need to decide if an order is safe to fulfill. And rest assured that, if you meet the conditions, Google will be responsible for any unwarranted chargebacks on all orders covered by the Payment Guarantee.

Google even provides useful tools for the small percentage of orders that aren't protected by the Payment Guarantee. We'll provide you with valuable customer information and chargeback representment services on all orders. Because you know your business best, this buyer verification information lets you run your own fraud checks and decide which orders to ultimately accept. We'll evaluate all chargebacks received and fight them on your behalf whenever possible.

To learn more about Google Checkout's fraud protection, please read the details in our Help Center. And be sure to come talk to us at the MRC Semi-Annual Meeting today and tomorrow. We'll have representatives from Checkout and AdWords at the event on both days.

*Comparison made in reference to the following statement in CyberSource's 2009 Fraud Report: "Merchants have consistently reported an average loss of 1.4% of revenues to payment fraud."

Posted by Jessica Smallman, Checkout Risk Operations

Making account management easier with Full Access user settings

Anita — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:24:00 +0000

With the recent launch of 'Full Access' user settings, you can now give your operations staff, colleagues, or other individuals full access to your Google Checkout merchant account. Your 'Full Access' users will be able to view all of the information in your account and take any actions on your account, such as processing orders, viewing payout information, and updating account settings.

To invite users with full access to your account, sign in to Google Checkout and follow the steps outlined in our Help Center. New users who have been added to your account will receive an invitation email with sign-up instructions. Once they complete the sign-up process, these authorized users can access your account with full access at any time.

It's important to note that you are responsible for all activity in your merchant account by persons to whom you give access through the 'Full Access' setting. By providing those persons access to your account, you authorize them to use your merchant account and legally bind you.

Posted by Shubin Zhao, Software Engineer and Jan Kleinert, Developer Relations

Transaction fee information now available in the Google Checkout API

Anita — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:26:00 +0000

Many merchants have requested a way to receive information about transaction fees through Google Checkout API notifications, and we're pleased to announce that this feature is now available. Merchants who have implemented the Notification API, Notification History API, or Polling API can now indicate that they would like to receive information about transaction fees in Google Checkout notifications.

To enable this feature in your Google Checkout merchant account, go to the Settings tab, select 'Integration', and expand the 'Advanced settings' section. Then, check the box next to 'Notifications must include information about transaction fees' and then click the Save button. You will then begin receiving information about transaction fees for your orders in any charge-amount-notification, refund-amount-notification, and chargeback-amount-notification messages that are sent to your notification handler.

Please post any questions or feedback you have about this new feature in our Merchant Forum.

Posted by Jan Kleinert, Developer Relations

Update to Checkout content policies

Anita — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:00:00 +0000

At Google Checkout, we regularly review our program and content policies to keep them current and effective. In response to the feedback we've received from users, we're pleased to announce that we made a change to our content restrictions. Going forward, Google Checkout will allow the sale of real estate rentals, timeshares, and day sight-seeing tours.

Google Checkout sellers of real estate rentals, timeshares, and day sight-seeing tours must have a valid public business URL. The sellers may, however, choose to use either Checkout buttons or Checkout invoices to process transactions for the above allowable services based on their business requirements. Please visit our Help Center to learn more about our content policies.

Posted by Sameer Abdul, Checkout Operations

Gear up for back-to-school savings

Anita — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:53:00 +0000

Another school year is just around the corner, and Google Checkout is here to help you save time and money on all of your back-to-school shopping.

Over 400 Checkout stores are now offering exclusive discounts of $5, $10, or $20 on purchases made through September 1st. You can get a head start on your shopping by checking out our product gadget that features school gear from participating stores.

After you've stocked up on your back-to-school essentials, Google Checkout can also help you shop smarter all year long with one secure login for thousands of stores across the web.

Posted by Caitlin Samenfeld-Specht, Google Checkout Operations

Welcome, NetSuite!

Anita — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:50:00 +0000

We’re excited to welcome NetSuite, a leading vendor of on-demand and integrated business management software, as one of Google Checkout’s featured ecommerce partners. NetSuite offers a seamless integration with Google Checkout, making it fast and easy to add Checkout to your website. Plus, NetSuite’s platform provides real-time visibility into key business operations in one system -- including inventory, fulfillment, shipping, marketing promotions, and customer buying patterns for up-sell and cross-sell analysis.

To learn more about using Google Checkout with NetSuite, please visit NetSuite's website.

Posted by Gina Del Vecchio, Google Checkout Operations

Start selling online with the Google Checkout store gadget

Anita — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:56:00 +0000

We're happy to announce the launch of the Google Checkout store gadget in Google Labs. In a matter of minutes, you can create an online store that's powered by Google Checkout and has inventory managed in a Google Docs spreadsheet. Selling online has never been easier -- no complicated coding or technical tasks are required, just three easy steps:

1. Sign up for a Google Checkout seller account.
Checkout will process your orders and help you attract new leads, convert more sales, and enjoy advanced fraud protection.

2. List the products you want to sell in a Google Docs spreadsheet.
You'll just need to create a copy of our template spreadsheet, and then replace the sample inventory with your own.

3. Place the Google Checkout store gadget on your website.
You can embed your online store anywhere you'd like -- on Google Sites, Blogger, or your personal website.

Ready to start selling? Create your online store quickly and easily using the Google Checkout store gadget today.

Posted by Anjali Vaidya, Associate Product Marketing Manager

Buy Now buttons for digital goods

Anita — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:29:00 +0000

Need a quick and easy way to start selling your new software or your band's music?

You can now use Google Checkout's Buy Now buttons to sell your digital goods online in a few simple steps. Just use the button creation wizard on the 'Tools' tab of your Checkout merchant account and select 'Digital Good' from the 'Describe your item' drop-down list in Step 3. After you place the Buy Now buttons on your website, buyers will be able to quickly and easily complete their purchases using Google Checkout. Once a buyer's card has been successfully authorized, they'll receive instructions on how to access their items using the URL and Key you specified.

Learn more about automatically and securely delivering digital goods to your buyers using Buy Now buttons.

Posted by Lisa August-Schmidt, Google Checkout Operations

Last-minute shopping for Dads & Grads

Anita — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:43:00 +0000

Searching for a last-minute gift for your dad or a recent grad? It's easy to find places to save on your summer shopping. You can either browse participating stores on our promotions page or search for products to buy on Google.com and look for one of the Google Checkout promotion badges. Hundreds of participating Checkout stores are offering discounts of $5, $10, or $20. Watch our video to learn how to spot these special offers now through June 21st:

Posted by Chad Liffmann and Jessica Smallman, Google Checkout Operations

Save on gifts for Dads & Grads

Anita — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:39:00 +0000

Whether you're shopping for a Father’s Day or graduation gift, or even a little something for yourself, Google Checkout can help you save time and money this summer.

Hundreds of Checkout stores are offering exclusive discounts of $5, $10, or $20 on purchases made through June 21st. And if you’re not sure what to buy, our product gadget displays gift ideas from featured stores. Use Checkout to shop quickly and easily with one login at participating stores, and thousands of others across the web.

Learn more about Google Checkout Dads & Grads special offers and gift ideas.

Posted by Gina Del Vecchio, Google Checkout Operations