I have some good news for those of you who use Google Checkout. Google has decided to extend its offer for free processing with Google Checkout through the end of 2007.

For those of you unfamiliar with Google Checkout, it’s a service similar to PayPal. Like PayPal you can integrate Google Checkout into your online store and allow customers to make purchases using their credit cards. Admittedly, Google Checkout does not have the sophistication and features of PayPal, yet, but with their continued development, competitive rates, name recognition and promotional offers like this, they could very well give PayPal a run for its money in the not-too-distant future.

I personally have not tried Google Checkout, yet, because of its current limitations, but I’m glad Google is throwing its weight into the online payment business. Competition is good. At the very least Google Checkout will give PayPal something to consider whenever it thinks about raising its fees.

For more info, see:

http://adwords.blogspot.com/2006/12/save-even-more-with-google-checkout.html

Google had recently come out with its Custom Search Engine (CSE), which allows you to harness the power of Google’s search engine while enhancing the relevancy and integration of search for your visitors.

Custom Search Engine allows you to:

• Specify the sites you want to include in searches.
• Place a search box and search results on your website.
• Customize the look and feel to match your website.
• Invite your community to contribute to the search engine.
• Make money from relevant ads in your search results.

That you can customize the look and feel of this tool can greatly enhance your Adsense earnings by attracting more visitors to the search engine on your site.

I know this feature has been on the wish lists of many webmasters, including myself, but I’m not sure how many have implemented it on their site.

For more info, visit:

http://adsense.blogspot.com/2006/11/your-search-engine-your-way.html