Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Choosing the Best Business Online Credit Card Processing Tool

Any online retail business that does not have a credit card processor set up should definitely consider this as an option. Often times web business owners feel overwhelmed with the prospect of choosing a credit card processor for their business.

Many of them feel that the fees associated with working with an online processor are too much and not worth the benefits. However if you closely weigh all your options you can see that if you carefully research credit card processors you can find one that best fits your business.

It may not seem like it but any inconvenience that you provide your customers at the sell point can result in loss of sales. At first this may not seem like a huge deal but these minor losses can add up to a substantial decrease in revenue.

There are some simple things that you can do to eliminate the choices and make the processes headache free. First off make sure that you do not get involved with a processing company that will charge you fees just to review your application or get you up and running.

Your next step will be to gauge the level of customer service that a credit card processor will provide you. Obviously not every business is the same and all have different needs. You can do this by talking with your service rep about simple questions at first and testing their response time and effort to earn your business.

On the technical side one thing that is critical to find out is what kind of back services your credit card processor has in place. If they are doing server maintenance of if something goes down how long before their backup system kicks in. If you go with a company that does not guarantee a failsafe back up you can be stuck unable to process payments for several hours. This can seriously hurt business and needs to be addressed seriously.

You also want to look for as many options as possible when it actually comes to receiving payments. In addition to credit card processing the ability to accept checks by internet, phone or fax is always a great option.

Finally you should obviously consider the cost of the credit card processing company you're going to select. At this point you should regard the transaction fees, for instances if in your business you deal with a lot of minor transactions low fees are of major concern. On the other hand if you deal with fewer transactions but at higher costs you may be looking for other features as well.

Overall as tedious as this process is it must be taken seriously in order for your business to prosper. It's always a safe bet to go with a popular company that has a proven track record. This information is easily obtainable by checking consumer advocate sites like the BBB and others. Another method to use is to find prominent sites in your niche and see what service they are using.

Jamie Marks is a senior editor and weekly contributor at a popular Work at Home Opportunities website. For more information read about Home Rebate Processor and Rebate Processing Jobs.

Mobile Online Credit Card Processing Equipment

In today's business environment, credit card processing equipment is an essential tool for completing an online transaction. Compared to traditional credit card processing services, mobile credit card processing ensures faster payment, increases overall sales and credibility, and saves a lot of money. A well maintained mobile credit card processing equipment is a must for such transactions. Mobile credit card machines are useful for those merchants who like to take their business to the customers. The functioning of a mobile credit card machine is simple. By swiping the customer's credit card through the mobile credit card processing equipment, all the transaction processes are done automatically in real time. When the merchant gets the authorization, a printed receipt is given to the customer.

Mobile credit card processing equipment helps in accepting payments through online credit cards as well as by telephone. With its state-of-the-art technology, mobile credit card processing equipment provides a secure payment gateway that enables fraud screening and also real time reporting of every transaction. For an online transaction, only a virtual terminal is needed. This enables you to get all the services through the Internet.

Mobile credit card processing equipment has certain added advantages when compared to traditional wireless merchant accounts. They include low monthly charges, low processing fee and no monthly minimum processing charge. Today, the wireless mobile credit card processing equipment is the latest in convenience and portability.

Many business concerns sign a contract with mobile credit card processing equipment companies for their services. These contracts might be for 2 to 5 years, a fact which is often unknown to the firm. Consequently, if a firm needs to terminate a contract, a cancellation fee is charged by these companies. So care should be while choosing the services of such companies.

Credit Card Processing provides detailed information on Credit Card Processing, Online Credit Card Processing, Credit Card Processing Software, Wireless Credit Card Processing and more. Credit Card Processing is affiliated with Wireless Credit Card Terminals.

3 Online Credit Card Processing Insider Tips

When you want to choose a credit card processing company to help you sell your products online and accept credit card orders, it is important to pay attention to some important tips to make the best choice. After all, you are building your entire business with ONE important goal in mind: Making a sale.

So when your customer is ready to order, the service you use to accept the order can make or break the sale.

If their payment processing service lacks some important factors or is not easy to use enough, you may lose your valuable sale that you were about to make.

So here are 3 important tips to consider when choosing a credit card processing solution...

Tip #1: How Fast Do They Give You Your Money?

When you make a sale, you have earned a profit which is great. But what is also important is how fast you'll receive your money.

For example when using a service like PayPal, you will get your money instantly - the moment the customer's order is processed successfully at PayPal.

So you can spend it, send it to someone else, or withdraw it to your bank account very quickly. But most other credit card processing companies don't pay you so fast.

For example ClickBank, which is a popular service, sends out your checks every two weeks. Some other companies even will pay you less often - like once a month.

So it is good to pay attention to their policy and compare to choose the best service with fastest payouts.

Tip #2: What Is Their Per Transaction Fee?

Credit card processing companies usually charge anywhere from 2% to as high as 10% in some of them.

So as you see, 8% difference in fees per sale is a big difference. You can maximize your net profits by finding a merchant service provider that has the lowest fee.

Tip #3: Test Their Customer Support

Here is a smart technique to find out if they really have a good and responsible support system...

Simply contact them and pretend you are a customer who has recently made a purchase but hasn't received the product yet. You can use a fake name and email address if you want. Then see their reaction, how they handle your problem, and how polite and patient they are.

You can also try complaining a lot to them and acting as a "difficult customer" would, to test how they deal with this type of your customers in the future. Are they polite? Are they patient and tolerate even the most difficult-to-satisfy customers?

This is a very important test to do before going with a certain payment processing company, because you are going to leave your valued customers billing issue in their hands - which a VERY important matter.

So you want to make sure they are capable of it.

About the Author:
Ladan Lashkari is an Internet marketing expert and is giving away FREE tips and reviews about top credit card processing services to help you choose the solution best for YOUR special needs.

You can check out her website to find out helpful tips and honest reviews to choose an easy online payment solution.

Online Credit Card Processing Is A Wise E-Business Investment

If you're in business for yourself on the internet you've probably been told that to make money you have to spend money. A more accurate way to think about it would be to make money you have to invest money -- as in investing back into your Web-based business in the form of services that will increase sales and profits.

This brings us to the decision whether or not to add credit card processing service to your e-store. It would seem to be a no-brainer. Studies have shown that e-stores processing plastic see increased traffic, repeat business, sales and profits. More than 80% of all purchases made over the Web are paid for with a credit card. In the last two months of 2007, the holiday shopping period, close to $30 billion in sales were racked up by e-retailers.

Those numbers are hard to ignore. And while there are going to be some expenses involved with the ability to accept payments online, with a little research you can make a cost-effective choice that helps you maximize the investment.

Indeed, before you even get close to making a decision on a merchant account company, spend some time cruising through a half-dozen provider Web sites. Most sites will include a list of charges and fees associated with doing business with them - and you might be surprised at the differences. Compare charges for things like transaction fees, internet processing gateway fees and statement/customer services fees, among others.

Be cautious of credit card processing companies that charge an application fee, which can vary from $100-300. The major players, as a rule, do not feel the need to levy this. These are the companies whose reputation for service and support mean they don't need to boost their bottom lines with a lot of add-on fees.

Indeed, when it comes to the costs associated with merchant account services the ability to offer discounts can be attributed to one of two factors. Some companies say they're cheaper, but make the money with hidden costs and fees. Great providers are able to come in at a lower price point because their customer retention allows them to do so, and those are the companies you'll want to talk to when you're ready to accept payments online.

And speaking of costs be wary of doing business with any concern that charges for calls to the technical support department. Good service after the sale should not have a price tag, and this applies to getting help when something's not working properly and slowing the progress of your business. Plus, unfettered access to support insures that small problems are dealt with before they have a chance to grow into big ones.

Make sure the company you sign up with is also the company that will be processing the transactions. Some use third-party processors that can slow down the amount of time it takes money to be put into your account. And improved cash flow is one more advantage of allowing card processing on your Web store.

A preferred way to sleuth out the good credit card processing companies is to get references and make some calls. A satisfied customer will tell you all you need to know, and should be more believable than what a company will say about itself.

Another good indicator is what the industry says about a provider. Companies like Apple and America Online have ratings for e-commerce providers that give unbiased third-party reviews for companies that give a Web business an avenue to accept payments online.

Jim Osterman is a Web content developer with Charge.com. Charge.com offers a host of credit card processing services for merchants wanting to accept payments online

Invest in Your Online Business With Online Credit Card Processing Services

There are costs associated with credit card processing online , but if you're a business owner who operates primarily from a Web site, processing plastic is going to be a vital link between you and your consumers.

Virtually everyone who shops online expects to be able to pay for the their purchase using their credit card. They like the convenience of taking care of the purchase right away, as opposed to writing and mailing a check. Doing that, in their minds, adds unnecessary time to the process.

So in a sense, using their credit card not only pays for their purchase but it buys them some speed in the delivery process.

However, there is a cost associated with offering merchant accounts. And while there are numerous providers of card processing that are reputable and offer value for their service, there are also providers of merchant accounts that charge excessive fees and have hidden expenses. And often, online retailers are not aware of these when agreeing to use their service to accept credit cards online.

This is where is pays to shop like a smart consumer. Look at a handful of companies and compare their rates and fees. Indeed, the really credible merchant services companies will have customer service representatives who can talk you through the process and help estimate what the monthly charge will be for your site to accept credit cards, so you can make an informed decision.

The various costs involved range from per transaction fees (usually a percentage or a few cents on each card processed) to monthly maintenance fees that can range quite a bit depending on the vendor. But let's talk about the good that comes from having credit card processing, which will justify the costs.

When you accept credit cards as payment you make your life easier. You get your funds faster than waiting for a customer to write and mail a check or money order; and you don't have to wait for the payment to clear the bank before you can mail out their purchase.

Indeed, most credit card processing companies get the money into your account in about 48 hours of the transaction. And every businessperson worth their salt will tell you how improved cash flow can make such a significant difference in the life of any company.

But whether you take cards as payment is still up to you. While it is a smart choice - it is still a choice. You have to ask yourself if the fees paid out from your pocket are worth the value card processing gives your business?

But if you consider the improved cash flow and the growing consumer acceptance and desire for shopping by card, the choice will be obvious. To grow your business you are going to want to make sure that offering merchant accounts is a part of the equation.

Or to put it in terms of the old business cliché - to make money you have to spend money; to attract the business of today's Internet consumer you have to spend money and invest in the credit card processing services they are looking for.

Jim Osterman is a Web content developer for CardAccept.com, a leading merchant account company that helps online businesses accept payments online.

The Best Services On The Internet Offering By Online Credit Card Processing

A credible and well-establish business on internet is given preference if they are backed by a sound online credit card processing company. There are various best services offered by online credit card processing.

Business merchant with the help of online credit card processing services are able to do transactions with credit card online safely and their profit can increase multifold from about 50 to 400%.

Some reasons for owning an online credit card processing service by companies are:

1. Customers need assurance the transaction is secure

2. They are able to do the transaction sitting from anywhere with the help of an internet connection

3. Capability of acceptance of any type of payment

A good company needs to be capable of the following services:

1. Good security system

2. Detailed reporting

3. Fast transfer of money into the client's account

4. Address verification system

5. Virtual terminals

6. Qualified dealings

7. Complete customer satisfaction

Benefits - the ideal e-commerce solution

1. Helps in improving sales as accepting can increase as much as 75%

2. Round the clock, real-time internet facilities to take payment so there are online transactions

3. Lesser processing costs and transaction costs

4. No hassle of traveling to banks for undertaking any kind of transaction

5. Security - servers help in security so that the details of the business merchants as well as their customers are safe

6. Round-the-clock customer and technical support

7. Software to prevent any kind of credit card frauds

8. Shopping carts which helps in enabling the customers to keep a track of their buying

9. Payment gateway which helps in checking and accepting transactions for merchants

10. Tools for credit card processing or software for improvement

11. Better reach of the business

What to look for in a good online credit card processing service?

1. Reliable application approval rates including application fees and processing speed - a viable service will include high approval rates but fast processing of application without any fees

2. The overheads of a company can be low if the monthly cost is relatively low for the online credit card processing service

3. Would not exploit the client with high charges for starting a merchant account and payment gateway

4. Should be able to set up the account fast and get the business going as quickly as possible

5. The service should offer many different ways of accessibility and offer round the clock customer service

6. Should be able to offer diverse point of sale options and card readers even in remote sales places


Merchant Account Service Network Responds to Concerns Over Online Security

A1 Merchant Accounts, a leader in the payment processing industry, is responding to the results of a recent survey about online merchant accounts and Internet security.

Carlsbad, CA (PRWEB) April 12, 2008 -- A recent survey revealed that 57 percent of Americans fear that their account passwords will be stolen when they bank online, and 38 percent don't trust online payment processing, banks and other ecommerce services. A1 Merchant Accounts, a merchant account service network based in Southern California, would like to remind businesses that their online merchant accounts are fully secure. Now more than ever, businesses must be able to ensure safety and security when they expect customers to provide sensitive information online.

This survey about e-commerce security was conducted on 1,000 adults in the United States by TNS Sofres, the largest custom research provider in the United States. It focused on respondents' attitudes and behaviors regarding digital security and technology. The survey revealed that identity theft is the first thing businesses should be concerned about when they set up online merchant accounts. This topped the list of consumer anxiety at 74 percent, while 44 percent of respondents were concerned about their online bank account information being stolen.

It is no surprise that people have these concerns when it comes to payment processing over the Internet, since 21 percent of the respondents in the survey said they'd already had their bank data stolen. And businesses still have a lot to learn when it comes to their online merchant accounts, as 40 percent of consumers who took the survey said they would buy more online if the security was strengthened. Another 44 percent of people said that online credit card processing worried them.

In a time when many businesses rely on online credit card processing for a large percentage of their profits, if not all, it is more important than ever to ensure Internet data security. A1 Merchant accounts would like to ensure businesses that their network of merchant account service providers is proven to be secure when it comes to protecting online information. Their online merchant accounts are known for being affordable and convenient, but they are also safe for consumers, which is imperative in a time when people are so concerned about the safety of their financial information on the Internet.

For more information about online merchant accounts and payment processing, visit www.a1-merchant-accounts.org.

About A1 Merchant Accounts:
A1 Merchant Accounts is a leader in the payment processing industry. They provide solutions and convenience for their clients with integrated payment processing services that help Internet businesses run smoother and more efficiently. Their payment solutions are available to small and medium sized retail businesses. A1 Merchant Accounts currently manages thousands of accounts, including wireless, with solutions that make sense in the business world.

Charge.com Streamlines Application Process for Online Merchants

Online merchants no longer have to worry about losing sales because they don’t have online credit card processing services on their websites. Thanks to the streamlining of the application process by Charge.com, just about any Internet-based retailer can now realize the proven advantages of card processing.

According online retailing studies, businesses that don't offer shoppers a credit card payment option lose over 80% of their impulse sales. Also, it has been found that today’s consumer who does their shopping on line is increasingly wary of any website that doesn’t offer credit card processing services.

Thanks to Charge.com’s application process, most online retailers can be processing their credit card transactions within 24 hours of being approved – a process that typically takes less than a day. Charge.com has likewise been on the vanguard of the merchant account industry by not charging an application fee that competitors’ price at $250.


Charge.com services include the ability to accept checks by phone, fax or over the Web – any of which increase a business owner’s cash flow situation.

For the guaranteed lowest price available, online store owners can get their own user-friendly credit card processing system. Charge.com offers three different options for processing credit cards. They can choose Real-Time processing with a Virtual Terminal, computer e-commerce software for either PC or Mac, or an electronic keypad terminal.

About Charge.com

Charge.com has been on the Internet since 1995. Our focus has always been to provide credit card merchant accounts and other business services. From the start, our top priority has been providing customer service and satisfaction, while still offering competitive pricing. After experiencing exponential growth, Charge.com has not lost sight of the importance of attention to customers, and treats every customer the same way it did when it was founded. Feel free to contact us about our credit card processing services.

Online Credit Card Processing With An Internet Merchant Account

If you are in the process of building an ecommerce store for your online business, you are going to need a way to accept credit card payments online.
This processing is facilitated through what is known as an internet merchant account. You will actually require two things to establish your online processing:
The first is your internet merchant account itself, which is a bank account from a reputable credit card processing company, specifically approved for internet processing.
The second component is your online payment gateway, to enable your website’s shopping cart to communicate with the credit card processing provider, to request and obtain authorizations on customers’ credit card transactions.
These gateways act in real time and are secure. Almost all online payment gateways on the market also offer a virtual terminal – this will allow you to also manually process any orders you receive from phone, mail and even in person orders.
You should be sure to choose a provider that can set up both your online merchant account and your online payment gateway, so there will not be any compatibility issues that arise when your customers place their orders.
What is the paperwork that you will have to submit in support of your application for an online merchant account? In addition to the application form itself, most providers ask for three supporting documents, namely: documentation to show you are the owner of the business (a registered business name license); a void check from your business checking account (if it is a sole proprietorship, you can submit a personal check that displays your name); and your articles of incorporation, if your business is an incorporated company.
The owner (or one of the authorized signing officers if the business is incorporated) will be required to sign all of the internet merchant account documentation. A credit check will also be required. Most providers use a score of 600 on the credit check as the minimum score for approval. A score below 600 usually requires a co-signer or guarantor. If you have poor credit, there are a number of providers who will consider your application for an internet merchant account – although they will likely charge you higher rates for processing.