Can I share one account for personal and business?

[austin965]

I have a personal PayPal account and I think I get billed 2.9% when anyone pays me through ebay right now.

I want to sell some stuff online (not only ebay) but directly from my website. But I am the sole owner and have no business or corporation; it's just a hobby. Here are my questions:

1. Can I use my personal account as my business account or combine the two?

2. What is the advantage of setting up a seperate business account?

3. Do I get billed less than 2.9% if I use a business account? Or does it depend on my sales?

4. Do I need to incorporate my business or get a DBA to set up a business account?

5. How can I collect payments without the person paying seeing my real name?

[skier]

You cannot combine Accounts. PayPal allows you to have 1 Personal Account and either 1 Business Account or Premier Account.   Your best option is to upgrade your current Account to a Business Account as then you would have only 1 Account.

Note, you don't have to technically be an official business to have a Business Account.   However, you will need a bank account and credit card to verify your Account.   As for fees, the current basic rate is 2.9% plus $.30 per successful transaction.  Fees are clearly explained on PayPal's main site.

A Business Account has several advantages, most important, it allows you to display a Business Name or Organization Name or a custom graphic on the PayPal Screens.  Customers will not see your personal name.   Personal Accounts and Premier Accounts will only display your email address on the PayPal Screens and customers will see your personal name.

Also be sure to check out the Guides listed below.  Both can be found here.

Merchant Setup and Administration Guide

Website Payments Standard Integration Guide

These are great desktop resources to keep handy and will answer many of your questions.

Regards,

skier