Accepting credit card payments with Authorize.Net

Online payment system Authorize.Net allows online sellers to accept credit card payments online: either directly in the storefront, or on a secure payment page provided by  Authorize.Net. WebAsyst Shop-Script is pre-integrated with this payment system and offers you an opportunity to quickly set up an Authorize.Net payment module without extra programming as explained further in this article.

Sign up for an Authorize.Net merchant account

First of all, you need a merchant account in the payment system to receive online payments. To obtain an account, go to the application page at http://www.authorize.net/application/ and submit your details.

Once you have registered yourself, copy your API login ID and the Transaction Key, they will be used later for the payment module setup in your WebAsyst Shop-Script store. To obtain those data, log in to your Authorize.Net account at https://account.authorize.net/, proceed to the "Settings" section, and click "API Login ID and Transaction Key". Copy the Login ID and create a new Transaction Key by providing the Secret Answer to the Secret Question.

Choose the integration method

WebAsyst Shop-Script offers two ways (integration methods) of accepting payments via Authorize.Net:

• Authorize.Net SIM

  This option is easier to set up and its use has less requirements to the server. Note that customers will have to temporarily leave your online storefront to submit their payment credentials on a secure page located on the Authorize.Net server.

• Authorize.Net AIM

  This option is technically more sophisticated, however, it allows your customers to pay directly on your website.

  Note: In order to use Authorize.Net AIM, you must have cURL extension with SSL support installed and enabled on your server and have an SSL certificate installed for your domain name to protect customers' data.

  Important: The Authorize.Net AIM integration module is not included into the standard distribution of Shop-Script software due to the PCI DSS compliance restrictions. Therefore, it is available only to owners of open-source licenses and is not available to users of the WebAsyst online services.
  

Set up the Authorize.Net payment module in Shop-Script

1. Log in to the WebAsyst Shop-Script administrative backend and proceed to section "Settings -> Payment".
2. Click "Add payment type".
3. Select "Accept credit cards" and click "Next >>".
4. Select the desired Authorize.Net module (AIM or SIM) and click "Next >>".
5. Enter your merchant credentials and specify other parameters in the module settings.

   • Parameters required for both integration methods:

     Authorize.Net Login ID and Authorize.Net transaction key: paste your Login ID and Transaction Key that you have copied in your Authorize.Net merchant account.
     Test mode: enable this option, if you would like to test the module's functionality before going live with it.

   • Parameters relating to Authorize.Net AIM only:

     Save customer's credit card data: enable this option, if you would like your customer's credit card details to be automatically saved in your online store database (all data are encrypted).
     Authorization type: select the necessary type of transaction.

     • Authorize and capture: the most common type of credit card transactions. The order amount is sent for authorization (approval) to the card issuing bank. If approved, the amount is automatically submitted for settlement (completion of transaction processing when funds are successfully deposited into the merchant's bank account).
     • Authorization only: this type of transactions can be used to verify the availability of funds on the customer's credit card before finalizing the transaction. The settlement can then carried out from within your Authorize.Net merchant account.

     Wells Fargo Secure Source merchant: tick this option, if you are working with Wells Fargo Secure Source.
     Append approved orders following status: choose the status that will be assigned to orders, successfully paid using this payment module.
     Store does NOT accept eCheck payments: enable this option to prevent the store from offering your customers to pay via eCheck.