A user maintains an electronic wallet (in the form of 'credits' applied to his account) and uses this currency across all community services.   Credits are drawn down automatically from this account for any fee-based services used on the system. 

For example, a customer can deduct credits to place an ad in the classifieds, deduct some more to purchase a product from the mall, and finally deduct another amount to download a special file from the File Libraries - and all payment and deductions happens transparently to them.

Besides providing customers the convenience of not having to use a credit card for every transaction,  it is the way you can surcharge for premium areas in your online community. Click here to see how netVillage is designed to make you money.

Credits increase a community’s e-commerce throughput:

·        People are more inclined to spend “intangibles”

·        Credits can be “pre-purchased”, allowing the host to earn income on monies not yet “spent”

·        Risk of sale loss is reduced as the customer “decision-point” is less distressed, as a “real” credit card is not involved

·        Lower credit card transaction fee costs (A customer can fill his electronic wallet with credits through a single credit card transaction, and subsequently purchase items free from nickel and dime transaction charges)

Using credits can increase your e-commerce throughput. People are often more inclined to spend intangible "credits" (that they have already paid for). Using "credits" puts less risk on the sale as the decision point is less dramatic than pulling out a credit card.

Using credits can also lower costs by saving on credit card transaction fees. A customer can fill his electronic wallet with credits through a single credit card transaction, and subsequently purchase items free from nickel and dime transaction charges.

Credits enable vendors and marketers to establish e-centives programs, accumulating points for members who perform desirable activities. Customers or prospects can be rewarded for various activities by using credits / points for discounted or free merchandise.

Applying Credits to User Accounts
A user’s account can be posted a positive number of credits which is drawn down by the user’s activities on your system. Alternatively, a user's account can hold a negative balance of credits (debt) which becomes more negative with the user's activities.

Credits can be applied to user accounts in many ways:

• The community host or staff can manually post credits from the remote sysop menu. You might do this, for example, if a member sent in a check for services.
• The system can automatically give a new user credits when he signs up. For example, a portal specializing in sports issues might give first-timers a small amount of credit. To make it interesting, the system could let them view but not participate in chat and forums, and view but not download the offerings in File Libraries. That way, first-timers get a teaser of features and benefits of the system.
• Members can purchase credits to spend on premium services or products from the system's "Credit Store". This is a great convenience to both the host and the member.  The member benefits from 1 payment being able to be used across many services, and the host receives pre-payment for services.
• Various community services can optionally post credits to a member's account. For example, the Polls service can post credits upon completion of a poll. The File Library can reward members with credits for submitting files
• Members can transfer credits to other members. This is a powerful Viral Marketing technique as users encourage and enable others to participate in premium service areas.

Click here to see additional e-commerce options available to you.