Google Checkout Gives Users The Vote

Giving people a say in something is often a good way to get them involved, and Google wants folks to use its Checkout service.  The search giant has, as a result, offered users the chance to select as many as three fresh upgrades.

A form called "Suggest a feature for Google Checkout" gets straight to the point with its list of ideas.  Some of them aren’t that great – we say "meh" to multiple shipping addresses.  Others might open a number of new doors; take, for example, the ability to choose different currencies for the "Buy Now" buttons.

But if you’re prepared to naysay all the existing suggestions, Google also provides a write-your-own box, and as evidence that some of the suggestions will be implemented, a list of six that already have been is on display.

It’s hard to say what sort of gains this approach might generate; when Google Checkout extended its fee-free status through the end of this month, it may have won over most fence-sitters.  Still, now that the money-making holiday season has passed, businesses may feel able to experiment a little.

Meanwhile, PayPal has made inroads with a UK corporation called CyberSource.