How To: Get a PayPal account

If you like to shop online then it is extremely helpful to have a PayPal account to safely make your online purchases. Help reduce your risk of identity theft by using protected methods like PayPal when your credit card information is involved.

PayPal is a service that allows you to send and receive money online, shop online without entering your credit card number, and keep money in an online bank account. Learn how to open an account with these tips.

You Will Need

* A computer with internet access
* A bank account or credit card

Step 1: Register an account for yourself or your business online

Create an account at paypal.com by clicking "Sign Up" on the main page. Choose your country or region and preferred language when you are taken to the registration page.

Step 2: Choose your account type

Choose an account type: Personal, mainly used for shopping and buying online; Premier, an account to buy and sell online using your personal name; or Business to buy and sell under your business or corporate name.

PayPal users can have one Personal account and one Premier or Business account, but each account must have a unique e-mail address, bank account, and credit card.

Step 3: Complete personal info

Complete your personal information.

Step 4: Link your account

Link either your bank account or credit card to pay for purchases. Both methods allow you to pay without exposing your account numbers to merchants or recipients, and speed the process of checking out when you shop online.

Step 5: Choose online payments for your customers

Choose either "Website Payments Standard" or "Pro" for accepting payments online as a merchant. Your customers won't need a PayPal account for either method, and there's no monthly charge if you choose Standard.

Step 6: Explore other options with PayPal

Send money to friends and family without any fees, safely transfer money abroad for a small fee, or send money through e-mail.