How to Accept Credit Cards Online

Cash and check payments belong to the past, and it’s doubtful whether any given member of today’s digital-native generation carries any significant amount of cash in their wallet–let alone a checkbook–when they go out shopping. As a business owner, if you’re considering accepting non-cash payment options for virtual or physical locations in your business, it can be helpful to look at your options before you sign up with a credit card processing company.

Some small business owners may put off credit card payment acceptance because they’re worried about the additional costs. Signing up with the wrong company could mean card transaction costs that are through the roof, along with hidden annual fees and huge penalties for early cancellation. That’s why it’s important to shop around and make sure you are signing up with a reputable merchant account provider.

As every business owner soon finds out, Customer Is King (or Queen) and if you aren’t in sync with what they want, they’re going to move on. With so many small businesses jostling for place in the online marketplace, you could put your business at risk if you aren’t providing easy, safe, modern, and convenient payment options.

Benefits of Accepting Credit Cards

The US credit card industry has grown exponentially over the last decade, resulting in dramatic changes the payment industry landscape.

• The average American owns 3.1 credit cards.
• Average utilization rate is 30%.
• Credit cards are heavily favored while making online shopping and travel purchases.
• Credit cards are more popular than cash especially with people whose household income is greater than $75,000 annually.

Keeping these statistics in mind, small business owners can leverage massive benefits when they offer in-store and online credit card payment facilities.

• It legitimizes and validates your business, conveying a sense of reliability and trustworthiness. Customers trust the credit card brand logo displayed on your website or store wall, and so they trust your company by extension, since the credit card companies appear to be “vouching” for you by accepting you as a merchant.
• An Intuit survey reveals that accepting credit card payments can boost your revenues by more than 50%. People spend more and often, from making impulse to big ticket purchases.
• Credit card payments take much of the waiting out of getting paid, and they improve your cash flow, helping you to grow and strategize better.

Accepting Credit Card Payments Online

Do your research on card processing companies and select one that best matches your needs, preferences, nature of business and budget. Take time to understand the terms and conditions, especially regarding processing fees

If you also have an in-store facility, you can use the same merchant account for online payments too, depending upon your service provider. The payment gateway represents your POS (point of sale) credit card processor. Your customers can enter their card details via the Internet on various devices like smartphone, laptop, or mobile phone. Credit card processing fees for online payment acceptance can be higher because there are greater chances of fraudulent transactions online. To offset this, business owners may require customers to hit a certain minimum amount per transaction (which turns out to be another way to boost sales). It’s important not to levy a surcharge on credit card payments if you want to retain customers and provide good customer service.

For more information on how to accept credit cards online, or to sign up for a merchant account, please call (888) 924-2743 or go to Charge.com.