handsomenonny:
No doubt, PayPal is about the most widely used payment
method for online transactions — worldwide. But sadly,
Nigerians are not allowed to use the service for receiving
and withdrawing funds (even though you can still use it
for purchases and to transfer funds to other PayPal
users.)

This restriction is one of the major worries of Nigerian
webmasters and online entrepreneurs. In fact, it is the
reason why some Nigerians are yet to start their online
businesses.

If you’re finding it hard to receive payment online
because Paypal is a no-no for we Nigerians, this post is
for you. Here, I’ll be discussing five alternatives to Paypal.

Note that these alternatives may not be perfect
replacements for Paypal, but they’ll provide an avenue
for you to receive payments from abroad. (Of course,
half a loaf is better than no bread.)
Now, let’s look at the alternatives you’ve got.

1. Skrill
Formerly known as Moneybookers, Skrill is one of the
best alternatives to Paypal that are available to Nigerians.
The service works just like PayPal, allowing you to send
and receive funds. You can also upload funds from your
Nigerian bank account and receive funds to it as well.
In fact, if you’re having a hard time converting your
Payoneer funds to cool cash (due to the present harsh
limitations on online dollar transactions), you can simply
upload the funds from your Payoneer card to your Skrill
account, and then request payment from Skrill to your
local bank account.

Note that you’d be required to verify your account
before you can be allowed access to the full features of
your Skrill account. Although it’s not as popular or widely
used as PayPal, it’s a cool alternative that you’d love.

2. Western Union Money Transfer
With this method, you can receive payment from
anywhere in the world. If you’re a freelancer, this may be
a good option for you — provided you have clients that
are understanding.

Note that you must have a valid government-issued I'd card (such as an international passport, national identity
card, or drivers’ license) before you can receive
payments.

Although this payment method is very speedy, it may not
suitable for very small payments due to the transfer and
transaction charges.

3. Payoneer Mastercard
This is the coolest option for Nigerians (in my own
opinion). With the Payoneer debit MasterCard, you can
receive payment from freelance job sites, affiliate
networks, individuals, and reputable companies.
To get your Payoneer debit card, you have two options:
If you’re going into online freelance business (writing,
web design, programming, SEO, graphics design, virtual
assistance, translation, etc.) or affiliate marketing, you
can request the card through the freelance outsourcing
site or affiliate network you want to work with. Elance,
Odesk, Freelancer, Markethealth, and Fiverr are
examples of Payoneer partners through which you can
request your own card.

Visit Payoneer’s website to request the card directly.
After your request has been confirmed by the Payoneer
support, you’ll be sent an email informing you of the
shipment as well as the expected delivery date. (You’d be
told to wait for 28 days, but I receive my own cards in
less than 20 days. So, it depends on your location in
Nigeria.)

The Payoneer card allows you to receive direct payment
from freelance sites and affiliate networks. Also,
individuals can load funds directly to your card from
another credit/debit card.
Once you have the funds on your card, you’ll get an
email notification from Payoneer, and you can withdraw
your funds instantly from any ATM that processes
Mastercard-issued cards.

4. Cheque
If you’re planning to venture (or you’re already) into
some affiliate marketing programs, such as Amazon
affiliates, receiving a check may be an option for you
(note that Amazon pays directly to Payoneer cards,
though). This option is suitable for freelancers, too.
Once you request your payment (from the company or individual you’re dealing with), a US cheque (check)
would be sent to your mailing address, and you can get
your cash at any Nigerian bank.
Receiving funds through cheques may take weeks,
depending on the bank you use as well as the issuing
bank. So, this payment method may not be suitable if
you need the funds urgently.
To receive funds via cheques, you must have a
domiciliary account (an international banking account
that can be used for sending and receiving payments
worldwide). You can easily open a domiciliary account
with any Nigerian bank, but you must have a valid
identity document (international passport, drivers’
license, or national ID card) and other requirements
(which vary depending on the bank). You can visit any
bank to make enquiries on opening a domiciliary
account.
Please note that transaction charges apply to cheques,
and these may vary from bank to bank.

WARNING: Have your cheque sent only to a valid
mailing address! If your address cannot be traced
easily, you may lose your cheque.

5. Bank Wire Transfer

This method of payment is very simple: your funds are
transferred from the sender’s bank account to your own bank account here in Nigeria. Once again, you’ll need a domiciliary account for you to receive payment through this method.
Though speedy as it may seem, this payment method is
not instant. You may have to wait for days to a few weeks before receiving your funds. But the option is suitable for almost everyone in online business.

6. 2Checkout(2CO)
Also known as 2CO, this service allows you to integrate a payment system on your website or blog. So, if you sell products or render services online, this option is for you. Just visit 2checkout.com and register. (Note that you’ll be charged an application fee of $10.) It takes a few days to get your account approved (they need to confirm that your business is credible). Once your account is approved, you can set up the payment button on your page.
With 2CO, you can receive payment from anyone,
regardless of the payment method that person chooses
(Paypal, credit/debit card, and over 5 others).
Subsequently, you can withdraw your funds from your
2CO account. Payment is made every Thursday
(provided you have up to the minimum release balance) to your Payoneer Mastercard, or your bank (domiciliary) account via check or Wire transfer.
You can find out more information about 2checkout on their FAQ page.

7. Online Money Transfer Services
You can also receive funds online here in Nigeria through online money transfer companies like Transferwise and Worldtrust.
These services allow you to receive funds directly into your Nigerian bank account at very low costs.
Using these services is very easy. Simply visit their
websites and register. Then follow the directions issued
on how to receive your funds. Note that using these
services would require that the person sending you the
money register with the site.
So, if you’ve always thought that online business is
impossible without PayPal, I’m sure you now know that
there are other options for you. Choose your preferred
option and start making cool cash from your online
business.

Now, I’m sure you love this…
Yes, I’m sure you love what you just read. which I started some weeks back with the aim of enlightening Nigerians who want to start online business but don’t know how.

handsomenonny:
No doubt, PayPal is about the most widely used payment
method for online transactions — worldwide. But sadly,
Nigerians are not allowed to use the service for receiving
and withdrawing funds (even though you can still use it
for purchases and to transfer funds to other PayPal
users.)

This restriction is one of the major worries of Nigerian
webmasters and online entrepreneurs. In fact, it is the
reason why some Nigerians are yet to start their online
businesses.

If you’re finding it hard to receive payment online
because Paypal is a no-no for we Nigerians, this post is
for you. Here, I’ll be discussing five alternatives to Paypal.

Note that these alternatives may not be perfect
replacements for Paypal, but they’ll provide an avenue
for you to receive payments from abroad. (Of course,
half a loaf is better than no bread.)
Now, let’s look at the alternatives you’ve got.

1. Skrill
Formerly known as Moneybookers, Skrill is one of the
best alternatives to Paypal that are available to Nigerians.
The service works just like PayPal, allowing you to send
and receive funds. You can also upload funds from your
Nigerian bank account and receive funds to it as well.
In fact, if you’re having a hard time converting your
Payoneer funds to cool cash (due to the present harsh
limitations on online dollar transactions), you can simply
upload the funds from your Payoneer card to your Skrill
account, and then request payment from Skrill to your
local bank account.

Note that you’d be required to verify your account
before you can be allowed access to the full features of
your Skrill account. Although it’s not as popular or widely
used as PayPal, it’s a cool alternative that you’d love.

2. Western Union Money Transfer
With this method, you can receive payment from
anywhere in the world. If you’re a freelancer, this may be
a good option for you — provided you have clients that
are understanding.

Note that you must have a valid government-issued I'd card (such as an international passport, national identity
card, or drivers’ license) before you can receive
payments.

Although this payment method is very speedy, it may not
suitable for very small payments due to the transfer and
transaction charges.

3. Payoneer Mastercard
This is the coolest option for Nigerians (in my own
opinion). With the Payoneer debit MasterCard, you can
receive payment from freelance job sites, affiliate
networks, individuals, and reputable companies.
To get your Payoneer debit card, you have two options:
If you’re going into online freelance business (writing,
web design, programming, SEO, graphics design, virtual
assistance, translation, etc.) or affiliate marketing, you
can request the card through the freelance outsourcing
site or affiliate network you want to work with. Elance,
Odesk, Freelancer, Markethealth, and Fiverr are
examples of Payoneer partners through which you can
request your own card.

Visit Payoneer’s website to request the card directly.
After your request has been confirmed by the Payoneer
support, you’ll be sent an email informing you of the
shipment as well as the expected delivery date. (You’d be
told to wait for 28 days, but I receive my own cards in
less than 20 days. So, it depends on your location in
Nigeria.)

The Payoneer card allows you to receive direct payment
from freelance sites and affiliate networks. Also,
individuals can load funds directly to your card from
another credit/debit card.
Once you have the funds on your card, you’ll get an
email notification from Payoneer, and you can withdraw
your funds instantly from any ATM that processes
Mastercard-issued cards.

4. Cheque
If you’re planning to venture (or you’re already) into
some affiliate marketing programs, such as Amazon
affiliates, receiving a check may be an option for you
(note that Amazon pays directly to Payoneer cards,
though). This option is suitable for freelancers, too.
Once you request your payment (from the company or individual you’re dealing with), a US cheque (check)
would be sent to your mailing address, and you can get
your cash at any Nigerian bank.
Receiving funds through cheques may take weeks,
depending on the bank you use as well as the issuing
bank. So, this payment method may not be suitable if
you need the funds urgently.
To receive funds via cheques, you must have a
domiciliary account (an international banking account
that can be used for sending and receiving payments
worldwide). You can easily open a domiciliary account
with any Nigerian bank, but you must have a valid
identity document (international passport, drivers’
license, or national ID card) and other requirements
(which vary depending on the bank). You can visit any
bank to make enquiries on opening a domiciliary
account.
Please note that transaction charges apply to cheques,
and these may vary from bank to bank.

WARNING: Have your cheque sent only to a valid
mailing address! If your address cannot be traced
easily, you may lose your cheque.

5. Bank Wire Transfer

This method of payment is very simple: your funds are
transferred from the sender’s bank account to your own bank account here in Nigeria. Once again, you’ll need a domiciliary account for you to receive payment through this method.
Though speedy as it may seem, this payment method is
not instant. You may have to wait for days to a few weeks before receiving your funds. But the option is suitable for almost everyone in online business.

6. 2Checkout(2CO)
Also known as 2CO, this service allows you to integrate a payment system on your website or blog. So, if you sell products or render services online, this option is for you. Just visit 2checkout.com and register. (Note that you’ll be charged an application fee of $10.) It takes a few days to get your account approved (they need to confirm that your business is credible). Once your account is approved, you can set up the payment button on your page.
With 2CO, you can receive payment from anyone,
regardless of the payment method that person chooses
(Paypal, credit/debit card, and over 5 others).
Subsequently, you can withdraw your funds from your
2CO account. Payment is made every Thursday
(provided you have up to the minimum release balance) to your Payoneer Mastercard, or your bank (domiciliary) account via check or Wire transfer.
You can find out more information about 2checkout on their FAQ page.

7. Online Money Transfer Services
You can also receive funds online here in Nigeria through online money transfer companies like Transferwise and Worldtrust.
These services allow you to receive funds directly into your Nigerian bank account at very low costs.
Using these services is very easy. Simply visit their
websites and register. Then follow the directions issued
on how to receive your funds. Note that using these
services would require that the person sending you the
money register with the site.
So, if you’ve always thought that online business is
impossible without PayPal, I’m sure you now know that
there are other options for you. Choose your preferred
option and start making cool cash from your online
business.

Now, I’m sure you love this…
Yes, I’m sure you love what you just read. which I started some weeks back with the aim of enlightening Nigerians who want to start online business but don’t know how.