The final numbers have not been crunched yet, however, according to retail-shopping estimates, more than three-quarters of all shoppers over the age of 18 did their shopping last year over the Web.

Window shopping has moved to the personal computer and that can mean increased profits for companies that offer goods and services on the Internet, especially if they have the ability to accept payments online.

And this is key for companies trying to reach the growing Generation Y consumer.

This age group, the bulk of which are in their late teens and early 20s, carry more than $100 million in disposable income. And they influence more than $50 million in household purchases. For retailers everywhere they are the next generation of retail as baby boomers transition into a fixed-income lifestyle.

As such it is not longer simply a good idea for your internet store to offer the option of paying with plastic - it's imperative for future growth and viability. The kids in Generation Y have probably never known what it's like to place an order, write out a check, put it in an envelope, put on a stamp and put it in the mail.

They like being able to point, punch in their credit card information, and click.

And if this is not enough to convince anyone doing business over the ‘net, consider that:

• People who shop on a site that accepts payments online are more likely to make their planned purchase
• Those same people are also more likely to purchase additional items
• And even if they are just browsing, the ability to by with their card makes them more likely to make impulse purchases

Do you really need any other reason to set up credit-card processing services?

And if the prospect of setting up merchant account services has you worried, relax. It's no more complicated or time-consuming that opening a checking account or securing a domain name. However, if you'll invest some time in comparing provider companies, you can really maximize your profits.

The rate plans for offering credit card acceptance services can be all over the map. Some will charge $200-300 just to evaluate your application, while others do this for free. Stick with the latter, as established companies don't tack on junk fees.

The cost per transaction between providers can vary by two or three percentage points. That may not sound like a lot of money but think about being charged two extra points per purchase. In the course of a month those teeny little points can add up.

And while just about every card processing provider site has testimonials, don't be afraid to ask for references. Likewise don't be shy about picking up the phone and making some calls. Have your list of questions ready. It may seems like you're imposing on someone's time, but anybody willing to be listed as a reference is willing to take your phone call.

The spending power of Generation Y's credit cards is only going to grow. How much of their money is going to end up in your pocket?

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