By 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.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
How To Choose The Best Credit Card Processing For Your Business
By Mark A. Abrahams
I remember when I first started looking for a credit card company to take all my payments I was in for a really big challenge. It was not as straight forward as what I thought that it would be.
I did a lot of searching and it took me a lot of time to find the right company that I could work with. I must have tried a few different solutions until I found the right one for my business.
If you are a medium to a large business I highly recommend that you get a merchant account. This can be a lot of work to get setup as they need a lot of documentation. However, the rates start anywhere from 1.29 percent depending on the service that you require. Since you will be doing a lot of volume you will want to get the best value. If you search on Google there are a few websites that help in getting your merchant account setup for your business for a small fee.
This option was not applicable to me mainly because I am a small business. I tried a few alternatives like the Kagi store, but this was really complicated to setup. They did have an account manager to help you get started, but the ordering process looked very involved and I was scared that I was going to lose customers. I also tried Verotel and Clickbank, but their processing fees are too high.
Finally, I settled on 2Checkout as the fees are reasonable and there is only a $49 setup fee. It also took me a matter of minutes to get setup and start taking orders. I live in South Africa and it takes a day for them to wire the transaction to me.
I remember when I first started looking for a credit card company to take all my payments I was in for a really big challenge. It was not as straight forward as what I thought that it would be.
I did a lot of searching and it took me a lot of time to find the right company that I could work with. I must have tried a few different solutions until I found the right one for my business.
If you are a medium to a large business I highly recommend that you get a merchant account. This can be a lot of work to get setup as they need a lot of documentation. However, the rates start anywhere from 1.29 percent depending on the service that you require. Since you will be doing a lot of volume you will want to get the best value. If you search on Google there are a few websites that help in getting your merchant account setup for your business for a small fee.
This option was not applicable to me mainly because I am a small business. I tried a few alternatives like the Kagi store, but this was really complicated to setup. They did have an account manager to help you get started, but the ordering process looked very involved and I was scared that I was going to lose customers. I also tried Verotel and Clickbank, but their processing fees are too high.
Finally, I settled on 2Checkout as the fees are reasonable and there is only a $49 setup fee. It also took me a matter of minutes to get setup and start taking orders. I live in South Africa and it takes a day for them to wire the transaction to me.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Phone Credit Card Processing Solution - Is it Suitable For You?
By Ilango Chokalingam
You know that cashless payments are gaining momentum globally. You understand that you may be even losing customers by keeping your transactions cash-based. You are ready to take the plunge into the realm of credit card payments. You look for a credit card processing solution and suddenly, you are swamped with hundreds of options to choose from. Where do you start? Well, why not from the mobile phone in your palm?
Phone Credit Card Processing
Yes! You can accept and process your customer's credit card (CC) from your mobile or any phone from any place that you get reception or have a land line connection. Phone credit card processing is one of the latest innovations in this technology and it is sometimes referred to as touch tone credit card processing.
How does it work
All you need to do is to call up your selected system and enter the transaction information as well as the customer's CC details using the keypad of your phone. The system will immediately process the information and either accept or decline the transaction. If accepted, an authorization number will be given to you to be recorded onto a receipt which the customer will then have to sign. Now, how simple is that?
Advantages
Well, the one positive feature that should by now be screaming at you is the SAVINGS! You will save so much on expensive Point-Of-Sale (POS) equipments or software that can set you back by anything between $150 and $1000. All you need is your phone!
This is perfect for you if you are just starting to accept credit cards. It gives you the opportunity to study the volume of sales that your business generates at a low cost. Besides zero equipment cost, this type of processing processing usually comes with low or no start up cost at all. It provides you with a chance to take time to compare the increase in the revenue generated by accepting CC to the cost incurred in CC processing. You can then decide if you should invest in any other CC processing solutions or none at all. Most merchants make the mistake of not comparing the increase in revenue to the costs that would incur and end up suffering huge loses. You need not be one of them.
Besides the zero equipment costs and low start up costs, this type of processing normally does not come with early service termination fees. If you should decide that you would like to switch to another type of phone processor, you may do so without burning any holes in your pocket.
There are no monthly minimums and therefore you will not suffer even if you do not make many sales through CC.
Free online transaction reporting allows you to keep track of all your credit sales.
Disadvantages
The discount rate and transaction fees are usually higher than other forms of non-card processing solutions. There are basically two reasons for this: Commonly, the merchant service provider employs an external company to process the transactions. The cost of employing another company is then borne by the merchant (you) in the form of higher fees.
Non-card transactions are susceptible to higher risk of fraud and therefore, the discount rate is usually much higher.
Do note that despite the higher fees, the low start up costs and the low monthly fixed fees usually make phone credit card processing lucrative.
Is this for you?
Looking at the fore-mentioned advantages, this might just be the one for you if you are a new venture, a small business or new to credit card processing. The low cost will give you the boost that you need to grow.
It is also suitable for you if you expect low volume of CC transactions in your business. For example, a professional like a personal masseur or a lawyer may not make many sales in a week. However, to stay competitive it is important for them to provide their customers with the option of paying with credit cards. It makes much sense for them to use this type of processing which avoids the clutter of expensive and cumbersome credit card processing hardware. So, if you are a solo-professional, phone credit card processing is suitable also for you.
If you are using cell phones, you may be able to accept credit cards on the move without ever having to lug around heavy, troublesome equipment. Hence, if you are in any delivery business (such as pizza or furniture) or if you are a professional mover or taxi driver, this is the solution for you.
Last but not least, if you offer temporary sales at different locations, it is obvious that it is perfect for you.
Study your business needs and compare the available merchant service providers. Do not just compare the fees but also their service, technical support and reputation. Read your contracts very carefully (including all fine print) before committing to any. Phone credit card processing could just be your first step to providing your customers with flexible payment options and staying competitive. Good luck!
Most Americans own at least one credit card. And of the seven in ten who do, an amazing 34 percent do not know the interest rate of the credit card they use most often. It is very easy to get a credit card. But it's very difficult to pay back your bills in full. Our expenses are increasing month after month. Whereas our income increases only year after year. So, it's very important for us to understand what credit card means to us today.
You know that cashless payments are gaining momentum globally. You understand that you may be even losing customers by keeping your transactions cash-based. You are ready to take the plunge into the realm of credit card payments. You look for a credit card processing solution and suddenly, you are swamped with hundreds of options to choose from. Where do you start? Well, why not from the mobile phone in your palm?
Phone Credit Card Processing
Yes! You can accept and process your customer's credit card (CC) from your mobile or any phone from any place that you get reception or have a land line connection. Phone credit card processing is one of the latest innovations in this technology and it is sometimes referred to as touch tone credit card processing.
How does it work
All you need to do is to call up your selected system and enter the transaction information as well as the customer's CC details using the keypad of your phone. The system will immediately process the information and either accept or decline the transaction. If accepted, an authorization number will be given to you to be recorded onto a receipt which the customer will then have to sign. Now, how simple is that?
Advantages
Well, the one positive feature that should by now be screaming at you is the SAVINGS! You will save so much on expensive Point-Of-Sale (POS) equipments or software that can set you back by anything between $150 and $1000. All you need is your phone!
This is perfect for you if you are just starting to accept credit cards. It gives you the opportunity to study the volume of sales that your business generates at a low cost. Besides zero equipment cost, this type of processing processing usually comes with low or no start up cost at all. It provides you with a chance to take time to compare the increase in the revenue generated by accepting CC to the cost incurred in CC processing. You can then decide if you should invest in any other CC processing solutions or none at all. Most merchants make the mistake of not comparing the increase in revenue to the costs that would incur and end up suffering huge loses. You need not be one of them.
Besides the zero equipment costs and low start up costs, this type of processing normally does not come with early service termination fees. If you should decide that you would like to switch to another type of phone processor, you may do so without burning any holes in your pocket.
There are no monthly minimums and therefore you will not suffer even if you do not make many sales through CC.
Free online transaction reporting allows you to keep track of all your credit sales.
Disadvantages
The discount rate and transaction fees are usually higher than other forms of non-card processing solutions. There are basically two reasons for this: Commonly, the merchant service provider employs an external company to process the transactions. The cost of employing another company is then borne by the merchant (you) in the form of higher fees.
Non-card transactions are susceptible to higher risk of fraud and therefore, the discount rate is usually much higher.
Do note that despite the higher fees, the low start up costs and the low monthly fixed fees usually make phone credit card processing lucrative.
Is this for you?
Looking at the fore-mentioned advantages, this might just be the one for you if you are a new venture, a small business or new to credit card processing. The low cost will give you the boost that you need to grow.
It is also suitable for you if you expect low volume of CC transactions in your business. For example, a professional like a personal masseur or a lawyer may not make many sales in a week. However, to stay competitive it is important for them to provide their customers with the option of paying with credit cards. It makes much sense for them to use this type of processing which avoids the clutter of expensive and cumbersome credit card processing hardware. So, if you are a solo-professional, phone credit card processing is suitable also for you.
If you are using cell phones, you may be able to accept credit cards on the move without ever having to lug around heavy, troublesome equipment. Hence, if you are in any delivery business (such as pizza or furniture) or if you are a professional mover or taxi driver, this is the solution for you.
Last but not least, if you offer temporary sales at different locations, it is obvious that it is perfect for you.
Study your business needs and compare the available merchant service providers. Do not just compare the fees but also their service, technical support and reputation. Read your contracts very carefully (including all fine print) before committing to any. Phone credit card processing could just be your first step to providing your customers with flexible payment options and staying competitive. Good luck!
Most Americans own at least one credit card. And of the seven in ten who do, an amazing 34 percent do not know the interest rate of the credit card they use most often. It is very easy to get a credit card. But it's very difficult to pay back your bills in full. Our expenses are increasing month after month. Whereas our income increases only year after year. So, it's very important for us to understand what credit card means to us today.
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