There are a number of different ways to accept credit cards for your online or offline business. If you do business on the Internet you will need an Internet merchant account to begin accepting credit cards. If you do business in a traditional retail setting you will need a regular merchant account along with a credit card processing machine.

In a retail environment, you can take debit cards and electronic checks as well as verify that checks are good before you accept them. With an Internet account, there is also a way to accept checks by phone so that the payment comes right out of your customer's checking or savings account.

It's Easy to Accept Credit Cards
With an online merchant account, accepting credit cards is easy. Once you are set up with a merchant account you will receive access to an e-commerce payment gateway. Your account provider will send you examples of HTML scripts to integrate into your website's order forms so you can sell your products online 24 hours a day, automatically.

Customers will enter their credit card information through your website when they make an online purchase. You should also get a virtual terminal to process cards manually online through a secure website. If you own a traditional brick and mortar business and will be processing transactions in person, you'll have to buy or rent a point-of-sale terminal, ie. credit card processing machine used to swipe cards. Typically it is better to buy a terminal rather than lease one. There is more of an initial investment when you buy but in the long run it ends up saving you quite a bit of money over leasing. The investment in a card machine should always be looked at as helping your business increase sales and profits rather than being looked at as a cost to your business.

If you look hard enough, you can find merchant accounts for Internet businesses with no application or setup fees. You will have to pay the usual monthly gateway fees and discount rates. Look for a company that clearly explains all fees so that you understand what you will be charged and read the small print for any hidden fees.

Call 888-760-1700 to learn more about how your business can accept credit cards to help increase sales and profits.