Internet
Merchant Accounts
An internet merchant account is the basic requirement to start
accept credit card merchant account payments on your website.
Usually you will have to apply for an internet merchant account
either with an acquiring bank or a financial acquirer which
has been authorized by the credit card companies.
Apart
from accept
credit card merchant account they may sometimes have other
types of payment solutions for your online business. There are
advantages and disadvantages of every online payment system
or any other method of credit card processing, and a good business
decision is always taken after considering the positive and
negative effects of the decision.
On a general basis, the
advantages are normally in the form of the type of direct control
over the payment processing system and the disadvantages are
related to security, logistics and mechanics of the payment
procedure.
The plus points:
Whether you accept
credit card merchant account through your own merchant
account or a third party payments processor, here are some of
the positive effects that it will have on your online business.
1. Convenience for the customer: if a web site
has the facility to accept online payments through credit cards,
it makes it easy for the customer to place an order without
having to go through the cumbersome process of writing and mailing
checks or making phone calls to place orders.
2. Better functionality: with the credit card
processor in place on your website, your website becomes more
functional and it will not remain just a source for lead generation
or serve as an online brochure.
3. Additional sales: the website can serve
as an additional data sales channel, thus adding to your revenue
stream once you begin accepting credit cards. And the best part
is that your online store will generate income all 24 hours
that is even while your business is closed.
4. Instant authorization: the credit card processor
is fully automated and within a matter of few seconds it well
process the payment and inform the customer whether it the payment
has been authorized or not. This saves the business owner the
extra effort required to call back the customer to inform him
that the payment could not be authorized by the credit card
company or get the checks deposited and wait till the time they
are cleared.
5. Streamlining the payment procedure: with
the use of an online credit card payment system the amount of
manual work decreases, and it is better possible to organize
the key procedures of the business.
The minus points:
Every technology has
its own disadvantages and the same is very true for the online
credit card payment systems as well. Lets take a look at some
of the negative aspects of using an online credit card payment
procedure:
1. Increased responsibility: with this kind
of a system in place it is essential that the website is functional
at all times and it is the duty of the website owner to resolve
any field service issues that emerge from time to time.
2. Increased costs: tagged along with the internet
merchant account come a bundle of monthly fees which can increase
the operating costs for your business.
3. Fraud issues: fraudulent payments have always
been associated with credit cards, and the situation worsens
when it comes to credit card frauds on the internet. When accepting
online credit card payments you need to be prepared to handle
such fraud payments without letting such instances damage the
image of your business.
4. Security issues: security is a major concern
when critical information, like the credit card details, is
to be filled in the web forms. Internet hackers are always looking
out for opportunities to steel such sensitive information, and
it becomes your duty to ensure that your website is well integrated
and will not become a victim of spoof or security violation.
5. Agreements: the internet merchant accounts
always come along with detailed agreements and commitment is
required in terms of either the time frame or the minimum amount
of dollars transacted within a period.
Finding an Internet Merchant Account
Internet Merchant Accounts are offered by a wide range of providers.
1. There are certain
Acquiring banks which can directly open an internet merchant
account for you.
2. Internet merchant
accounts can also be had from the resellers, who can even offer
you some additional related products and services.
3. Quite a few web hosting
companies can also provide you with the recommendations or at
times they may also be selling internet merchant accounts along
with the technology as a complete package. These companies can
also recommend Merchant account services which are most compatible
with their hosting solution.
4. Though rarely, but trade groups and certain organizations
can also get good packages for their members.
When you begin your search
for a potential internet merchant account provider, we first
recommend getting in touch with your local banks, keeping your
existing bank as the first choice. If that doesnt help out,
start looking for advertisements or get in touch with your software
solutions provider or internet service provider. And if you
have problems you can even have a merchant account broker assist
you in the process.
But before you settle
down, you must do a lot of research and comparison to get the
best possible credit card processing solution for your website.
Besides an internet merchant
account you may also need other components to get the whole
thing working. These components can also be had from the reseller
or the bank in most cases. Some of the resellers may get you
a turnkey package curtailing the need to look for add-ons from
outside. But surely this will come at a higher overall price,
and on most occasions it is worth it. If your bank or reseller
provides only limited service, then you have to get additional
services from outside and it can sometimes turn out to be costlier.
Lastly, use your research
and evaluation capabilities and before signing the agreement
understand the terms of it clearly. Also beware of resellers
and sales representative who may not spell out the fees structure
at the onset.
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