The future of shopping is the Internet. Just look at the success of the online retailers over the 1998 Christmas season. And Dell Computers - or Gateway. They're the big boys. Let's answer the second question, first.
Most browsers now support secure forms.
That means you can transmit you credit card information more safely that you can fax it, or give it to someone over the telephone. Now, to the second question. Well, I guess it depends on the products or services that you are offering from your web site. If you are selling information - or other products that can be delivered electronically, then online, real times processing of your customer's credit card is absolutely necessary. If your site has the information, many of your potential customers will make the impulse decision to buy it from you NOW - even if it might be available someplace else for free.