How to Use PayPal Buttons

1. Create a PayPal account, if you do not already have one. You have to be registered with PayPal to use PayPal services, including buttons. You will need to create an account even if you only intend to collect donations with your button.
2. Choose an account type. PayPal offers four different types of accounts: personal, premier, business and student. Personal accounts have limited access to Merchant Services and PayPal Debit Cards. Business accounts have unlimited access to all services and support multiple accounts.
3. Log in to your PayPal account. Click on 'My Account,' then 'Profile,' then 'More Options.' This takes you to a page with more account options, listed in three columns. In the 'Selling Preferences' column, click on 'Create New Button.'
4. Choose the type of button you want to use on your website. PayPal offers Shopping Cart, Subscription, Buy Now, Donation and Gift Certificate buttons. Shopping Cart and Buy Now buttons allow visitors to purchase products directly on your website, while Subscription buttons allow visitors to pay for services or products received in timed increments. Donation buttons can be used to raise money for a specific cause or even a personal project. Gift Certificate buttons allow visitors to give your products or services as gifts.
5. Choose your price, currency, shipping and tax. You can also customize your button with dropdown menus or special text. PayPal also allows you to track inventory and loss, and add special checkout features with Merchant Accounts.
6. Decide if you or PayPal will host your images. If you have your own website with a server where you can upload your button image, download the button after you finish customizing. If you have a blog or do not have access to a server, copy the HTML code. If you copy code, PayPal will host your button image online.
7. Paste your code into your website or blog. If you are selling products, it is customary to put your PayPal button directly under the product. If you are selling services or collecting donations, choosing where you put your PayPal button will affect how much money you make. Place your button 'above the fold' (this refers to the top half of your webpage) so that visitors can see it easily.