Plimus now provides vendors with the capability to accept e-Checks (also known as ACH) for all US-based transactions.  This allows customers to pay for their purchases directly from their bank account, eliminating the need for a credit card or wire transfer.

ACH gained popularity through its use by utilities, who made it simple for customers to pay regular monthly charges.  It didn't immediately jump into the public consciousness because of a lack of immediacy: ACH requests tended to be sent in batch, meaning that the transaction couldn't be closed right at the moment the customer was trying to buy.  While this was fine for utility bills, it introduced a barrier for e-commerce, whose primary benefit is immediacy.

At this stage, transactions can be approved immediately, which is why Plimus has surfaced this payment method.  The question is, should you expect an uplift?

The short answer is yes.  ACH has been slowly moving up the popularity charts, and the vast majority of US consumers use them for something now, whether it be to pay their monthly telephone bill or even to receive their tax rebates.

ACH avoids the need for a credit card, which in turn eliminates the attendant risks to credit ratings (if a consumer forgets they've gone over their credit limit, for instance), as well as the prospect of finance charges.  While ACH may not cannibalize the business you already manage through credit cards, it will almost certainly eliminate a buying barrier for some customers who might otherwise leave your site without buying.

Have you already used ACH?  Any experiences you want to share with the community - comment away!