Archive for October 2017
Do I need an SSL certificate for my online store?
Setting up an e-commerce site can involve a lot of new terminology and aspects you’ve never heard of before, such SSL or HTTPS. If you are new to e-commerce or to setting up a website in general, these terms can be baffling, but it is important not to ignore them. Making sure you know what…
Read MoreWhy do I Need to Apply to get a Merchant Account?
As a business person with a commercial online presence, you need a merchant account. It allows you to accept payments on your website, so that customers can buy from you directly. There are various situations where this is necessary. For example, if your clients are overseas, web purchases might be the only way they can…
Read MoreWhat is the Difference Between a Payment Gateway and a Payment Processor?
When you’re running a business, there are several ways that you can accept payment from your customers. You can take cash, cards, checks, mobile payments, or online payments. Cash is received at a till and receipts are issued. Checks can be received in person or by mail, then taken to the bank for cashing. Cards…
Read MoreWhat is a Payment Processor, Exactly?
When you’re running a business, your primary goal is to make a profit. And in order to earn these proceeds, you need to receive payments from your customers. At the most basic level, customers pay for your goods and services in cash. One step above that is the card or check payment, and more recently,…
Read MoreGetting a Merchant Account for a Seasonal Business
My business is seasonal – does this play a role in my merchant account application acceptance? Some businesses do not operate year-round and only open their doors during certain seasons. Some businesses that do run throughout the year have certain times and seasons when they are in higher demand or have smaller branch-off businesses for…
Read MoreDoes the Sales Volume my Business Processes Play a Role in the Type of Merchant Account I Get?
Yes and no. Although merchant card service providers offer different terms and conditions, on approval of a new merchant account most accounts will have a set processing limit that will be based on information provided by you on application. The terms and conditions of the merchant account will be standard. The limit may be conservative…
Read MoreWhat Equipment do I Need to Open a Merchant Account?
Opening a merchant card service account has little to do with what equipment you have initially, and more to do with what type of business you run, your customer base and your market risk standing. As with any long-term service, you will complete an application form that will include certain relevant information and will be…
Read MoreWhat Software and Payment Acceptance Options will I need for my Small Online Business?
It is vital that you accept credit card payments for purchases made via your online business if you want it to be successful. Online businesses cannot survive if they don’t accept card payments because the whole concept of selling online offers buyers armchair shopping whenever it suits them. This convenience includes card payments for immediate…
Read MoreWhat are Chargeback Fees?
One of the most stressful aspects of accepting card payments is getting a chargeback. This is the technical term for a payment reversal that was not initiated by the merchant. It happens when a customer has paid using a credit or debit card, but for any of a variety of reasons, the bank ‘reverses’ the…
Read MoreWhat Credit Card Brands Should I Accept for my Online Business?
As an online business owner you do not have any choice of which credit card brands that your potential customers have, which they will make payment with for online purchases. If a customer attempts to pay with a credit card that is not recognized or accepted by your merchant card services provider, the transaction will…
Read More