I have a dilemma: on a personal side project, I have the choice of using a payment gateway that keeps the users strictly on my site throughout the entire process. There is also the choice of using PayPal so that the user goes to an external PayPal page, with the option of returning to my site once the transaction is complete.
At first, I thought it was vital to have the first option — which, of course, costs more. But I thought about my own habits when online shopping. I’ve used sites that employ either method and I’m comfortable with either. But I most likely do not represent the average consumer who may use this site I’m building.
I’d love to hear what other designers, developers, and online shoppers think about this. What do you say — is it essential to keep the potential shopper on your page?
