Billing Panelists Take a Look at Where the Growth Is

TEMPE, Ariz. — Six leaders in the online adult billing industry tried to help sort out the various payment options and current issues facing the sector in an open-audience Q&A session at The Phoenix Forum.

The billing seminar on Thursday included some of the top names in the payment-processing business. Commercegate’s Joel Hoskins, 2000 Charge’s Raphael Berkien, NetBilling’s Mitch Farber, Epoch’s Harmik Gharapatien, Webbilling’s Joe Devlin and CCBill’s Douglas Wicks fielded a potpourri of questions.

The processor execs discussed what growth areas they see ahead, security specific to mobile, optimizing conversion rates, the top risks processors face and the dreaded topic of chargebacks.

As for growth areas ahead, Wicks of CCBill said that his company recently launched a billing initiative for Latin America.

“We also see growth in the game and social-networking environments,” he said.

Webbilling’s Devlin said his company is high on an expanding Europe market, particularly in eastern Europe.

“For Webbilling most of the ecommerce verticals historically focused on credit card billing,” Devlin said. “Once eastern Europe gets up to speed, there is potential for millions of more consumers. The potential in Europe for growth is so big, and the credit and debt culture is so different — most people prefer to pay with bank accounts.”

Epoch’s Ghararpatien noted that his company is trying to offer as many products under one roof to help businesses remain successful.

As for the thorny subject of chargebacks, each of panelists also described how their companies deal with chargebacks.

“It doesn’t matter what you sell, the consumer has to feel that they are going to get what they pay for,” Wicks said. “If your really overselling yourself, the people are going to charge you back.”

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