Credit Card Processing Services
There are many different credit card processing services that a business owner can utilize in his or her business. The type depends mainly on the kind of business you run. The service will be different for somebody who runs an entirely online business than somebody who owns a store. There are three different merchant accounts that determine the way a credit card gets rung up: retail, internet, and over the phone, or mail to order.
Retail Merchant Accounts
These accounts are for businesses where the credit card is swiped for at least 70% of their sales. This includes grocery stores, pharmacies, drug stores, and any other location that you physically shop at. One benefit of having this type of merchant account is that there is usually a lower transaction fee from the processing company. With how many transactions your business would conduct, it is a better deal for you as the owner. This type of account should be used if you are not planning on expanding your business to an online site or take over the phone orders, but to keep sales entirely in person.
Internet Merchant Accounts
These accounts should be used when you are running a business entirely online. It is a great option for people who sell homemade items and run their business through word of mouth and online marketing. A benefit that comes with this account is that most credit card processing companies offer a web hosting package which includes a shopping cart, or step by step purchase screens. This is helpful and saves time on your part with designing your website.
Mail to Order/Over the Phone Merchant Accounts
This account is great for companies that sell over a large distance, and take orders through the phone. If a company has a commercial for a product, they will sometimes provide a phone number to call and order it. This way of taking credit card payments could be a little scary to the client because it requires the client to give their credit card information to a stranger over the phone. Due to the lack of the card being in the presence of the business, there is higher transaction fee (because of the higher risk).
There are many different credit card services out there. Each has different fees and interest rates, all which vary. However, finding the right account will help your business grow and be successful while ensuring your clients’ credit information is safe and you are able to deposit your money where it needs to go.
—————————————————————————————————
Guest post provided by Charge.com Payment Solutions, Inc., who provides safe processing of credit cards online. For more information, visit their website at www.charge.com.
Leave a Reply