Friday, July 27, 2007

Merchant Account

How to get Free Internet Merchant Accounts
By John Lynch

How to get Free Internet Merchant Accounts

This article will show small businesses how to get free
internet merchant accounts. If your business is to grow and
succeed, it is essential to accept online credit cards.

Benefits of accepting online credit cards.

·It has been proven that sales increase dramatically when you
accept online credit cards.

·Up to 75% of online purchases are made on impulse and
customers spend up to 50% more when using their credit cards.

·Above all, if you accept online credit cards you build
credibility in the eyes of your customers as they assume only
established businesses will accept cards.

However, it is not necessary to have your own internet
merchant account to be able to accept credit card payments on
your website. Most small businesses do not need their own
online merchant account.

How to get free online credit cards

Getting your own internet merchant account is more difficult
than obtaining an offline merchant account because the card is
not present at payment nor is the signature obtained.
Sometimes, small and new companies face extra difficulties.

Nevertheless, these problems can be overcome by getting a
Third Party Processing company to accept online credit card
payments on behalf of you or your company.

How Third Party Processors operate

The payments your customers make are processed through the
third party’s own merchant account, and you the retailer is
paid (minus a commission) by the third party processor. This
allows you to sell online without the necessity of having your
own internet merchant account.

However, the Third Party Processor makes its profit by
charging a processing fee. Usually, third party processor
charges are a little more on a transaction compared with having
your own online merchant account. Though set-up fees are usually
free or minimal.

So, there you have it. You can accept online credit cards on
your website through a Third Party Processor without needing
your own merchant account. Free internet merchant accounts by
another name!

© John Lynch

[For a review of online merchant accounts and third party
processors Got to:
http://www.merchant-account-service.com/third_party_processors.html
]

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Merchant Account

Merchant Accounts
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Marcus_Peterson]Marcus Peterson

An account where merchants can accept credit card payments is known as a merchant account. Merchant accounts can be acquired through credit card companies, banks, or any other payment processor. A merchant wanting to take credit card payments must have a merchant account.

There are three major forms of merchant accounts. One is the retail merchant account. This account generally offers the lowest transaction fees, but often comes with stringent rules. Retail merchant accounts mostly require credit card sales be done with the "card present." In other words, the card has to be swiped through a credit card terminal for the transaction to take place. Retail merchant accounts are usually linked with restaurants, small hotels and grocery stores. Retail merchant accounts are not suited for merchants who want to conduct business through the Internet or the mail.

Mail Order Telephone Order (MOTO) accounts generally charge higher transaction rates; these accounts are used when the credit cards cannot be physically utilized. In this case, merchants process the payments by entering the customer’s credit card data onto a personal computer, or through a standard web browser, where they can process the transaction on the payment service provider's website.

Internet merchant accounts are quite similar to MOTO accounts in that the credit card need not be physically used. However, these transactions can only be done through the Internet. Merchants with Internet accounts employ a payment service gateway or a virtual terminal to process credit card transactions.

It is imperative to choose the appropriate form of merchant account for the business you are conducting. Also, it is wise to carefully go through the terms of service of the providers, as many charge a fortune and have strict rules. [http://www.z-MerchantAccounts.com]Merchant Accounts provides detailed information on Merchant Accounts, Credit Card Merchant Accounts, Internet Merchant Accounts, About High Risk Merchant Accounts and more. Merchant Accounts is affiliated with [http://www.merchantservices-web.com]Internet Merchant Services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcus_Peterson http://EzineArticles.com/?Merchant-Accounts&id=251460

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Merchant Account

Merchant Account Services
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alison_Cole]Alison Cole

Check out any store and you will find that people no longer find it viable to make payments in cash. The preferred mode of payment is the debit card or the credit card. No matter what your business, the best way to stay ahead is to give the customers the ease of making the payment in the mode they choose. This means if they don’t want to pay cash, you must have the provisions to accept credit card payments. In fact studies have shown that accepting credit payments can increase your sales manifold. To accept credit card payments, you will need an online merchant account with a bank, financial institution, or acquiring institutions. All these institutions charge a minimal amount of fees for their services, but then the fee is well worth the improvement in your business.

Your financial or acquiring institution should be able to provide a number of services. First and foremost they should be able to provide you personalized services in setting up your account. Your merchant account should have facilities for online trading, as also taking orders on the phone.

Now, suppose your business is an online store. This means, your customers can make orders merely by the click of a mouse. They can make their payments online through credit card. For this, there will be a form in which they will submit their details including that of their credit card. To accept online payment, you can link your account to any of the Internet gateway solution providers, which include Verisign, Orbital, or Fast Transact. You can link your order forms to these gateway companies, who will then process the transactions.

Then there is the phone line processing services. That means the customers can dial a toll free number, and provide the requisite information based on the voice prompts.

Another service is the POS (Credit card service), which enables you to take orders over the phone and fax and process them through a terminal machine.

You also have the option of a computer software program that can store your customer’s details, as these are beneficial for recurring payments. [http://www.MerchantServices-Web.com]Merchant Services provides detailed information about merchant services, e-commerce merchant services, high risk merchant accounts, internet merchant services and more. Merchant Services is the sister site of [http://www.e-TelecomAudits.com]Telecom Audits Info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_Cole http://EzineArticles.com/?Merchant-Account-Services&id=144901

Monday, July 23, 2007

Merchant Account

Just What Is A Merchant Account Anyway?
By Xavier A Arthurs

So, you have started a business online. To stay competitive and
keep the sales coming in, you wish to offer your customers the
option of purchasing with a credit card. But how do you do that?
One way is to open a merchant account. Let us take a look at
just what a merchant account is.

If you have never heard of a merchant account before, the
concept is really quite easy to understand. A special account is
created through a banking institution (usually the bank where
you do your business or personal banking) or a clearing house
(which is similar to a bank, with slight differences) which will
permit you to accept payment by credit cards. Any and all credit
card transactions will pass through online authorization and
ultimately be deposited into your account (once the credit card
charge has been approved).

Using a merchant account is really the easiest way to accept
credit card payments. There are other ways, but they can cost
more and be a much bigger business hassle. When a merchant
account is established and a company is willing to authorize
payments to your business online, your customers can begin using
their credit card numbers for purchases and you will receive
payment!

Actually, that is an over simplified explanation of what
happens. There are many steps that need to occur before you will
see any of the money from credit card payments.

Step 1 – Improve your website so credit card numbers can be
accepted.

Step 2 – Verify and approve the charge. This can be done by the
institution where you have a merchant account or by an
independent online authorization company. If you go with the
latter, be sure to do sufficient research. Going with an
inexpensive company may save you money up front, but if they
approve invalid credit cards you will pay much more!

Step 3 – Charge is authorized, so the details move to the
customer’s credit card processor. They debit the card and
deposit the money into your merchant account.

There are companies that provide these steps in an “all-in-one
package” deal. The choice of how you accept your credit card
payments online is up to you, but a great amount of searching
for the best and right company is necessary.

Looks easy, does it not? However, setting up a merchant account
may be trickier than you think. This is especially true if you
are just starting your online business. You may have to wait
until your business is established and can show its
profitability before a financial institution will give you the
desired merchant account.

About the Author: You can find out more and read reviews of the
best merchant account providers at
http://www.top-merchant-accounts.com

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Friday, July 20, 2007

Merchant Account

Merchant Credit Card Terminals
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kent_Pinkerton]Kent Pinkerton

Merchant credit card terminals are electronic devices offering fast, low-cost means to authorize and process credit card transactions. They are very commonly used in retail stores and restaurants. Most merchant credit card terminals accept all major credit, debit, and private-label cards offering low-cost credit card authorization, check guarantee, and data capture for a range of retail applications.

A terminal to process credit cards is a great investment to your business. Most merchant credit card terminals support Internet-based services such as e-mail, electronic signature, interactive electronic coupons, onscreen advertising, cash management reporting, and e-commerce. They make transactions more convenient, faster, and accurate for both customers and merchants.

At first, merchant credit card processing terminals verify your customer's card information. Then they withdraw money for the purchase from the customer?s account and deposit it directly into your merchant account. The most important units of merchant credit card terminals are card readers with a small keypad and display. They require power supply and can communicate through a telephone line. Modern terminals are powered by batteries and can communicate wireless or over the Internet. They come in several sizes and prices.

There are many types of merchant credit card terminals: traditional terminals (with or without printers), wireless terminals, and virtual or software-based terminals. Merchants with a permanent place of business need a basic card reader terminal. In this case, the terminal is placed right on the counter where all transactions take place. For businesses that constantly change locations, a wireless credit card processing terminal is a good choice. It is suitable for merchants who are always on the go.

Millions of merchant credit card terminals ship annually and the majority have the same basic functions and features. It can only be used in combination with a merchant account that processes credit card transactions. Businesses already using credit card terminals need to buy extra equipments to maintain additional services such as debit card transactions and issuing and accepting gift cards. A number of terminals also support additional forms of payment such as electronic bank transfers and phone cards. [http://www.e-CreditCardTerminals.com]Credit Card Terminals provides detailed information on Credit Card Terminals, Credit Card Terminal Systems, Wireless Credit Card Terminals, Credit Card Processing Terminals and more. Credit Card Terminals is affiliated with [http://www.i-CreditCardProcessing.com]Credit Card Processing Software.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Merchant Account

Mobile Credit Card Processing Equipment
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva]Thomas Morva

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. [http://www.i-CreditCardProcessing.com]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 [http://www.e-CreditCardTerminals.com]Wireless Credit Card Terminals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva http://EzineArticles.com/?Mobile-Credit-Card-Processing-Equipment&id=353158

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Merchant Account

Merchant Credit Card Terminals
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kent_Pinkerton]Kent Pinkerton

Merchant credit card terminals are electronic devices offering fast, low-cost means to authorize and process credit card transactions. They are very commonly used in retail stores and restaurants. Most merchant credit card terminals accept all major credit, debit, and private-label cards offering low-cost credit card authorization, check guarantee, and data capture for a range of retail applications.

A terminal to process credit cards is a great investment to your business. Most merchant credit card terminals support Internet-based services such as e-mail, electronic signature, interactive electronic coupons, onscreen advertising, cash management reporting, and e-commerce. They make transactions more convenient, faster, and accurate for both customers and merchants.

At first, merchant credit card processing terminals verify your customer's card information. Then they withdraw money for the purchase from the customer?s account and deposit it directly into your merchant account. The most important units of merchant credit card terminals are card readers with a small keypad and display. They require power supply and can communicate through a telephone line. Modern terminals are powered by batteries and can communicate wireless or over the Internet. They come in several sizes and prices.

There are many types of merchant credit card terminals: traditional terminals (with or without printers), wireless terminals, and virtual or software-based terminals. Merchants with a permanent place of business need a basic card reader terminal. In this case, the terminal is placed right on the counter where all transactions take place. For businesses that constantly change locations, a wireless credit card processing terminal is a good choice. It is suitable for merchants who are always on the go.

Millions of merchant credit card terminals ship annually and the majority have the same basic functions and features. It can only be used in combination with a merchant account that processes credit card transactions. Businesses already using credit card terminals need to buy extra equipments to maintain additional services such as debit card transactions and issuing and accepting gift cards. A number of terminals also support additional forms of payment such as electronic bank transfers and phone cards. [http://www.e-CreditCardTerminals.com]Credit Card Terminals provides detailed information on Credit Card Terminals, Credit Card Terminal Systems, Wireless Credit Card Terminals, Credit Card Processing Terminals and more. Credit Card Terminals is affiliated with [http://www.i-CreditCardProcessing.com]Credit Card Processing Software.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Pinkerton http://EzineArticles.com/?Merchant-Credit-Card-Terminals&id=353177