Money Handling
Cyberfunded creativity requires some method of collecting money. This usually involves an online money service, although creative people often accept checks or other forms of payment in addition. Even in person, crowdfunding benefits from the ability to accept credit cards, etc.
The easier it is for patrons to contribute their money, the better. If giving money requires a lot of fiddling around, then projects will lose potential patrons due to the hassle factor.
Fortunately, there are many online money services to choose from, so you can find one that meets your needs and appeals to your audience and/or patrons. These have different fees and parameters, advantages and disadvantages. It's a good idea to explore multiple services to see what they offer. You may also want to view current crowdfunding projects and talk with other creators and/or patrons to see what positive or negative experiences they've had with various money handlers. Then you can make an informed decision based on what works for you.
AcceptPay
Online payment acceptance, electronic invoicing, recurrent billing, receivables reporting, automatic email receipts & notifications.
ChipIn
Fundraising widget connected with PayPal, includes a ticker showing progress toward the goal, can be posted on social networks/blogs/other websites; requires Flash.
DaoPay
Payments charged to shopper's phone bill, works via phone numbers rather than banks or credit cards, global access in 200+ countries.
DirecPay
Multiple access modes, multiple payment modes, transactions processed in 2 working days, merchant information system, transaction alerts via email, payments made to merchant's existing bank account.
Dwolla
Connects with bank account, works with mobile devices, mobile applications to find merchants, optional instant transactions, transaction monitoring, multiple chopping cart plug-ins, send money via social networks like Twitter or Facebook. Recipient does not need a Dwolla account. No contracts, no registrations costs, no hidden fees, no annual charges, no membership dues, no terminal fees, no setup fees, no expensive PCI compliance.
E-Junkie
Shopping cart and Buy Now buttons; shopping cart has a built in sales tax, VAT, packaging and shipping cost calculator. Multiple currencies and languages supported, multiple payment modes. Automatic secure digital delivery of files and codes for digital goods; automatic shipping calculation and inventory management for material goods. No transaction limit, no bandwidth limit, no setup fee, no transaction fee. Management of discounts & package deals, Google analytics tracking, promotional tools.
Liberty Reserve
Private payments, free private messaging.
Moneybookers / Skrill
Digital wallet, shopping directory. Receive payouts from 200+ countries in 40+ currencies, transfer money internationally, process credit cards and 100+ payment options. Local payment options search.
PayPal
Send money, request money. Buy Now and Donate buttons (customizable). Mobile shopping, credit cards, international access, eBay, classified ads, balance manager, store directory. Fees vary depending on services.
Warning: PayPal won't allow purchase of erotica or other adult materials, sometimes interferes with other things, and increasingly pressures other businesses to enforce the same ban. This is a serious problem because a number of crowdfunding fundraiser websites require PayPal. Furthermore, PayPal is probably the most popular money handler for cyberfunded creativity, so not using it might cost you. On the third hoof, folks are increasingly frustrated by the attempts of PayPal and some credit card companies to tell people what they can and can't do with their own money, so some folks are boycotting this service. Explore your options carefully before deciding whether or not to use PayPal as a creator and/or donor.
Perfect Money
Money transfers, instant payments, regular payments, automatic recurring payments, account reports. Store money in internet account with interest, shop online, buy currencies online.
ProPay
Global payments, credit cards, alternate payment solutions, mobile payments, shopping carts, eBay.
Stripe
Credit cards, direct payment to bank account, payment forms.
WePay
Use credit cards, send bills, sell tickets, sell items, accept donations, set donation goals, create event pages. Create a WePay store or sell things on a website. Access your WePay money via bank account or paper check. WePay debit card available. No merchant account or website required, no programming required. Promotional pages for fundraisers, widgets and donation buttons.
Xoom
Service to 30 companies, pay via bank or credit card, track transactions, transfer money online.
The easier it is for patrons to contribute their money, the better. If giving money requires a lot of fiddling around, then projects will lose potential patrons due to the hassle factor.
Fortunately, there are many online money services to choose from, so you can find one that meets your needs and appeals to your audience and/or patrons. These have different fees and parameters, advantages and disadvantages. It's a good idea to explore multiple services to see what they offer. You may also want to view current crowdfunding projects and talk with other creators and/or patrons to see what positive or negative experiences they've had with various money handlers. Then you can make an informed decision based on what works for you.
AcceptPay
Online payment acceptance, electronic invoicing, recurrent billing, receivables reporting, automatic email receipts & notifications.
ChipIn
Fundraising widget connected with PayPal, includes a ticker showing progress toward the goal, can be posted on social networks/blogs/other websites; requires Flash.
DaoPay
Payments charged to shopper's phone bill, works via phone numbers rather than banks or credit cards, global access in 200+ countries.
DirecPay
Multiple access modes, multiple payment modes, transactions processed in 2 working days, merchant information system, transaction alerts via email, payments made to merchant's existing bank account.
Dwolla
Connects with bank account, works with mobile devices, mobile applications to find merchants, optional instant transactions, transaction monitoring, multiple chopping cart plug-ins, send money via social networks like Twitter or Facebook. Recipient does not need a Dwolla account. No contracts, no registrations costs, no hidden fees, no annual charges, no membership dues, no terminal fees, no setup fees, no expensive PCI compliance.
E-Junkie
Shopping cart and Buy Now buttons; shopping cart has a built in sales tax, VAT, packaging and shipping cost calculator. Multiple currencies and languages supported, multiple payment modes. Automatic secure digital delivery of files and codes for digital goods; automatic shipping calculation and inventory management for material goods. No transaction limit, no bandwidth limit, no setup fee, no transaction fee. Management of discounts & package deals, Google analytics tracking, promotional tools.
Liberty Reserve
Private payments, free private messaging.
Moneybookers / Skrill
Digital wallet, shopping directory. Receive payouts from 200+ countries in 40+ currencies, transfer money internationally, process credit cards and 100+ payment options. Local payment options search.
PayPal
Send money, request money. Buy Now and Donate buttons (customizable). Mobile shopping, credit cards, international access, eBay, classified ads, balance manager, store directory. Fees vary depending on services.
Warning: PayPal won't allow purchase of erotica or other adult materials, sometimes interferes with other things, and increasingly pressures other businesses to enforce the same ban. This is a serious problem because a number of crowdfunding fundraiser websites require PayPal. Furthermore, PayPal is probably the most popular money handler for cyberfunded creativity, so not using it might cost you. On the third hoof, folks are increasingly frustrated by the attempts of PayPal and some credit card companies to tell people what they can and can't do with their own money, so some folks are boycotting this service. Explore your options carefully before deciding whether or not to use PayPal as a creator and/or donor.
Perfect Money
Money transfers, instant payments, regular payments, automatic recurring payments, account reports. Store money in internet account with interest, shop online, buy currencies online.
ProPay
Global payments, credit cards, alternate payment solutions, mobile payments, shopping carts, eBay.
Stripe
Credit cards, direct payment to bank account, payment forms.
WePay
Use credit cards, send bills, sell tickets, sell items, accept donations, set donation goals, create event pages. Create a WePay store or sell things on a website. Access your WePay money via bank account or paper check. WePay debit card available. No merchant account or website required, no programming required. Promotional pages for fundraisers, widgets and donation buttons.
Xoom
Service to 30 companies, pay via bank or credit card, track transactions, transfer money online.
