2007 saw a lot of changes here at 2Checkout.com. We added new payment methods, including PayPal (including Pay Later) and FX Source, added new payment options like Foreign Currency Electronic Funds Transfer (FCEFT) and Payoneer and implemented the new account-level demo mode selector. We also launched the new community-based website you’re reading now.

This new site was created to foster communication between 2CO, our suppliers, customers and the public at-large. For the first time, we opened our forum up to the public. We also added this blog and the ability to comment on articles and search the entire site.

From providing our developers’ release notes to asking what you want from an integrated affiliate program, we’ve provided more information and requested more input than ever before.

Coming in 2008, you’ll soon see a redesigned 2CO community site that will allow for even greater communication. There are also going to be a number of new features and improvements to our supplier services. Keep your eyes on this blog for announcements as they become available.

We’d like to give a big “thank you” to our suppliers and customers for making 2007 such a great year and invite you to join us for an even better 2008.

As of January 1, 2008, Cyprus will be adopting the Euro (EUR) as its local currency. Because of this, our Cypriot suppliers must update their banking information via the Banking Wizard to prevent delays in payment.

UPDATE (12/20): Due to the New Year Holiday, payments issued on December 27, 2007 to Cyprus must be in Euro. Please make the necessary changes to your Bank Wizard to prevent delays in receiving future payments.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

More information about this change:

• Central Bank of Cyprus: Euro Introduction
• National Website for the euro

2Checkout.com, Inc. is pleased to announce the introduction of a new customer payment option: PayPal Buyer Credit AKA Pay Later.

PayPal Pay Later provides existing PayPal members with a line of credit that allows them to make no payments for 90 days. However, this line of credit has no impact on sale deposit timeline or amount.

Customers pay later, but suppliers still get paid on time, in full!

The Pay Later option will be displayed for all orders valued between $50 and $1,500 USD.

This is the fifth part of our ongoing series of site-building resources. Today we’ll be focusing on design and usability resources.

• A List Apart – “A List Apart explores the design, development, and meaning of web content, with a special focus on web standards and best practices.”
• Boxes and Arrows – “Boxes and Arrows is devoted to the practice, innovation, and discussion of design; including graphic design, interaction design, information architecture and the design of business.”
• SEOmoz.org – “Read SEOmoz. Rank Better.” The article 17 New Rules for Successful E-Commerce Websites is a must-read.
• Smashing Magazine – “We smash you with the information that will make your life easier. Really.” Be sure to check out the article 30 Usability Issues To Be Aware Of while you’re there.
• Usability.gov – “Your guide for developing usable & useful Web sites” Be sure to check out Research-Based Web Design & Usability Guidelines while you’re there.
• useit.com – “usable information technology” Jakob Nielsen has been synonymous with website usability since the mid-1990s.
• UX Magazine – “UX Magazine sets out to explore, promote & discuss the multiple facets of user experience one article at a time. It is built upon the foundations of ProjectNeo, a global interactive design community.”

Please add any other related resources you’d like to recommend in the comments below.

Related Articles:

• Resource Links (Part 1) – Site-building Tools and HTML/CSS
• Resource Links (Part 2) – PHP and Javascript
• Resource Links (Part 3) – Statistics and Graphics/Design
• Resource Links (Part 4) – Business/Financial

On November 1st 2007 the Canadian dollar hit a new all time high against the US dollar – coming in at 1.0592 US dollars. You’ve probably also heard that the US dollar is at historic lows versus many other major currencies – most notably the British Pound, the Euro, and the Australian dollar.

From an e-commerce perspective, the low dollar presents an unprecedented opportunity for online merchants to venture into the international marketplace. US based sellers can offer a significant price advantage – often totaling more than 40% – over the local choices available to shoppers in Canada, the UK and most of Europe. This price advantage is maintained even when taking into account any extra shipping costs, taxes, duties, etc. a cross border sale may entail.

Continue reading…