PayPal lets any business or consumer with an email address to securely, conveniently, and cost-effectively send and receive payments online. The  network builds on the existing financial infrastructure of bank accounts and credit cards to create a global, real-time payment solution. Paypal delivers a product ideally suited for small businesses, online merchants, individuals and others currently underserved by traditional payment mechanisms.

The size of the network and widening acceptance of the product have helped PayPal to become the leading payment network for online auction websites, including eBay. PayPal is also being increasingly used at other e-commerce sites, for the sale of goods such as electronics and household items.

There is normally no charge for  obtaining a Paypal account, however in some instances there is $1.95 (about £1.20 which is refunded after your 1st transaction appears on your statement) after this all your transactions are free of surcharges (we pay for the transaction cost) your purchases appear on the credit card statement in the normal way. Once you have entered your details on PayPal's secure site once, you will then only have to enter your e-mail address and password to make any purchase. You can sign up to PayPal by clicking the logo below.