Even though online retail sales are growing there are still huge barriers in the way for some potential online consumers. That being security concerns.

In addition many small businesses cannot afford to sell aggressively online as the costs to offer payment via credit card can be difficult to obtain and expensive to offer.

This article by Internet Retailer offers more insight into how each of these challenges are being addressed by alternative online purchase mechanisms.

Excerpt: However, some e-retailers-particularly small start-ups-can't afford the high cost of credit card acceptance, and, in many cases, can't even get a merchant account. And all e-retailers know that credit and debit cards come with a built-in problem: Many consumers still will not use their cards online because of fear over releasing financial and personal information into cyberspace.

"There's still a huge population out there who won't buy online or will only buy very little online because of security concerns," says Vince Talbert, vice president of marketing at I4 Commerce, developer of the Bill Me Later payment option. "They want to buy online because they see how easy it is but they're afraid to use their credit card."

More Online Retail: Cost and Security