The company is offering a complete solution for users looking for the easiest one

Aug 1, 2009 10:24 GMT  ·  By
Google launches a new Checkout widget to allow users to embed payment options
   Google launches a new Checkout widget to allow users to embed payment options

The payment market can be very lucrative, just ask eBay, so it's no surprise that there are plenty that want a piece of the action. Very few companies have the technology, the brand and, especially, the resources necessary, so it's not exactly a crowded market with eBay's PayPal mostly dominating. Google launched its competitor, Checkout, a few years back, but it hasn't made much headway since. Still, it’s hammering on with a new Google Checkout store gadget.

“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,” Anjali Vaidya, associate product marketing manager, claims.

What's more, Google claims a new user can get an online store up and running in under five minutes. That may be a little stretched and doesn't tell the whole story, but the new gadget does make things a lot easier and faster.

Still, here's how Google sees it, in just three steps. You first sign up for a Google Checkout account to benefit, or for your customers to benefit, from the simple and effective payment system. Once you're done, you have to add your inventory using a spreadsheet template Google has conveniently provided for Docs. Now, all that's left to do is add the code snippet to your site or blog. Presto, instant e-commerce!

It may take a little more than five minutes, if you actually plan to have a real inventory, i.e. more than the five "antiques" you found in the attic, but it's hard to find a faster and easier way to set up an online store. While the widget itself doesn't match PayPal's in terms of features and customization options Google is leveraging its greatest asset, besides search, that is, the sheer number of services it offers. Users can have a new store, in a matter of minutes, using solely Google products: Google Checkout for the payments, Docs for the inventory management and Google Sites or Blogger for hosting. This is something eBay can't match and that very few companies, in fact, can.