One of the things Google did to help ecommerce businesses through the holiday season was to offer free transaction processing through Google Checkout. However, Google was always going to go back to the standard fee structure that is common among alternative payment methods. But instead of going back on January 1, as was the original plan, Google Checkout is extending the free transaction processing until February 1, 2008.

This can be good news for ecommerce businesses that use Google Checkout. However, it doesn’t change the fact that eventually Google will start charging for transaction processing again. But there is a way to avoid that.

Google points out that free credit card processing through Google Checkout can be earned when you link your AdWords account to Google Checkout. Google is really pushing for this, since Google gets revenue when you sign up for AdWords. However, Google insists that you sign up for AdWords, and “make sure you link your AdWords account with Checkout by the end of January to earn free transaction processing moving forward.” You are still paying for something, but it can help you cut down on global costs to your ecommerce business. And it’s another way for Google to work at extending its influence in the ecommerce world.

Tags: free transaction processing, Google Checkout, ecommerce, ecommerce businesses,
Google AdWords