How To Accept Credit Cards

Accepting credit card payments is a fast and easy process once you understand all of the steps. This page is designed to explain all of those steps so you can feel confident as you set up your first merchant account. Once you are ready to get started, you can apply online with this 3-step merchant account application.

• Step 1: Determine the type of merchant account that best fits the way you do business. Not all merchant accounts work in the same way. Some are designed for websites, others for telephone transactions and yet others for face to face transactions with an actual credit card terminal. All you need to do is decide how you can best serve your customers.

A telephone and internet merchant account are very similar and require a special payment gateway to securely transmit the transactions from the internet to your merchant account and ultimately to your bank account. With a credit card terminal, it either works through an internet connection or a wireless network like a cell phone. It all depends on which equipment you choose. If the majority of your customers will actually be present at the time of purchase with their credit card in hand, then you will most definitely want to go with a traditional merchant account with a credit card terminal. You can still “KEY IN” a transaction occasionally when a customer calls in.

• Step 2: Once you decide how you want to accept cards, you will need to apply for a merchant account. You might think that your bank is the best place to start when you want to begin accepting credit cards but that could not be further from the truth. Most banks are not actually set up to service merchant accounts and they usually re-sell a 3rd party service like ours. First Data is one of the largest credit card processors in the industry and can get you a much better deal than your bank can.

• Step 3: Select equipment (or) setup your website shopping cart.

a) If you have chosen to accept cards with a traditional merchant account, then you will want to talk with your sales representative about the features of the most common credit card terminals. You can purchase, lease or rent credit card terminals for your business. Also be aware that used or refurbished equipment is also available and may save you some money.

b) If you want to accept cards over the phone, your merchant account provider will give you login details for a website called a “Virtual Terminal.” This will allow you to enter transaction in over a secure website and manage your account.

c) Accepting website sales. Your merchant account provider will supply you with a payment gateway. That payment gateway will interact with your website shopping cart and complete the credit card portion of the transaction. One of the easiest to use shopping carts can be found by visiting this link: Automated Sales Machine.

Ready to get started? Click here!

Credit card processing is a simple process in which the payment is done with the help of the cards and a website or credit card equipment. The customer just has to swipe the card in the terminal and the information is read through the magnetic strip. When the information is read it is transferred to bank from where the final approval is received. Therefore a few seconds are needed to complete the entire process.

Today’s customers do not carry huge amounts of money in their pockets as it may be stolen or lost. So they feel that credit card processing is the best option. It serves the purpose of both the buyers as well as the sellers.

When you begin accepting credit cards, you will see an increase in your customer purchases. They will spend more and buy more often. Yes, there is a small learning curve and some initial setup costs but they are minimal when you consider the rewards. A merchant account will allow you to move outside the traditional small business box. Now you can consider…

• Gift Cards
• Customer Loyalty Programs
• Large Up Sells
• Higher Security
• And more…

Imagine accepting credit cards at off location sites with a wireless terminal. Pool cleaners, plumbers, landscapers, etc. Once you accept credit cards, the possibilities are endless.

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