How to Set Up a PayPal Account to Take Payments

Individual Accounts
1. Point your browser to the PayPal website (see Resources.)
2. Click on the 'Sign Up' link on the navigation bar at the very top of the page.
3. Choose your country or region from the first drop-down menu and your preferred language from the second drop-down menu.
4. Decide which type of PayPal account to open. Click the 'Get Started' button for Premier accounts if you plan to sell personal items and accept payments under your own name, such as through auction sites or online classifieds. If you need a Business account, skip ahead to the next section of this article.
5. Fill out the form with your personal information, including email address, first and last name, date of birth, mailing address and phone number. Create a password with at least eight characters. Click 'Agree and Create Account.'
6. Check your email and click the link to confirm. You can now accept payments to the default email address associated with your PayPal Premier account.
Business Accounts
7. Click the 'Get Started' button for Business accounts.
8. Select 'I don't know' from the drop-down list of payment solutions, and click 'Continue.' This will launch the Recommendations Wizard, which will help PayPal determine the most appropriate type of account for your business.
9. Answer the questions about your business needs using the radio buttons for 'Yes,' 'No' and 'Maybe,' and click 'Continue.'
10. Review PayPal's suggested account type and click 'Continue with this solution.'
11. Complete the Business Account Setup form with your business type, business name and contact information. Choose a category and subcategory for your business, average transaction price, average monthly income range, and percentage of annual revenue from online sales. Provide the date you established your business and note your sales venues. Provide a customer service contact email and click 'Continue.'
12. Fill out the Financial Details form with your bank account or credit card, and click 'Continue.'
13. Check your email and click the link to confirm your new account.
14. Wait for two small deposits to appear in your bank account, then log in to PayPal and click the 'confirm' link next to your banking information. Enter the dollar amounts for the deposits and click 'Submit.' You can now accept payments to the default email address associated with your PayPal Business account.