Credit card processing is how businesses accept credit cards at their brick-and-mortar locations or online stores. There are several ways to complete this process, but most will use a payment gateway and acquirer. A merchant account with an acquiring bank is required in order to sign up for credit card processing services, however there are alternatives to signing up for a merchant account .
How does credit card processing pay?
Most companies that process credit cards will send you settlement funds on a weekly, monthly or bi-monthly basis. The payment settlement period depends entirely upon your merchant account provider and the processing method you use. Because of this, it’s important to research each company’s policies and how often they process their payments to merchants.
What should I look for when choosing a credit card processing company?
There are several things you need to consider before signing up with any merchant account provider, such as: what the setup fees and monthly rates will be; what transaction fees there are for each type of card that you process; how their rates compare to other merchant account providers, and their customer service availability. You should also determine what equipment you’ll need to process credit cards. Some companies may provide the equipment for free, while others will charge you an extra monthly fee for leasing (or renting) the machine(s).
When choosing a provider, make sure to compare credit card processing quotes against popular merchant account providers like Payment Depot, Cayan (Payline Data), Chase Merchant Services to get the best rates possible. Remember that you can also sell your services through established payment gateways, such as PayPal and Amazon Payments , who accept all major credit cards.
What do I need to start accepting credit cards?
First, you will need a business checking account and an internet merchant account . You should not sign up for both of these at the same time. After applying with your operator or gateway, they will provide you with the information necessary to complete this step. Your bank may also be able to help you set up a merchant account if needed.
Next, you will need a credit card processor. You can visit our list of the top 10 credit card processors to choose one that’s right for your business. All of these companies have been reviewed and ranked by our staff so you can compare rates and processing methods side-by-side.
Finally, once you have signed up with your new merchant account provider , you will have to configure their system with the necessary information so that they can process transactions for you. You will need to provide them with your bank’s routing number, your checking account number and also the name on the account (DBA). Many companies will request credit card processing fees in order to set up your account.
How do I accept credit cards online?
Nowadays, most brick-and-mortar business that process credit cards have an online presence. If you have a website or ecommerce store, then the answer is probably “yes”. Most large merchant account providers (like PayPal and Amazon Payments ) allow you to sign up for their services without having to go through a credit card processing company. This saves you time and money since their fees will be added to your transaction cost.
Where can I process credit cards using my mobile phone or tablet?
If you’d like to accept payments with your smartphone or tablet, then you’ll need a compatible credit card reader . These devices allow you to swipe a card and process the payment without having to key in all of the information. The convenience of being able to take credit cards from anywhere has been well received by many business owners.
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