Online merchant accounts aren't bank accounts, but are special accounts that are used for credit card payments. Once the credit card payment is made, the money gets deposited into your bank account.

There are two ways to open these merchant accounts. You can go through merchant account providers or independent sales organizations (ISOs). ISOs sell merchant accounts to businesses on a banks behalf. Most providers are affiliated with one or more financial institutions that process credit card payments. Instamerchant® is a registered sales agent for First Data Independent Sales® Our outstanding merchant account credit card service has won us the most prestigious Acquirer of the Decade award.

Businesses will usually choose merchant account providers over banks because of the stringent application requirements banks have. Some want to see incorporation proof, financial statements, your business plan and other documents. Many ISOs won't ask for any of these, so small or new businesses looking to open online merchant accounts don't have to go through all the red tape.

Add to that the application and set up fees that many banks charge ($400 dollars or more) and it's easy to see that many businesses choose a reliable, cost effective merchant account credit card service like ours. At Instamerchant we don't charge set-up fees for our Internet, wireless or retail services.

Customer Service Mistakes
If you have an online business, you'll want to avoid certain customer service pitfalls. Not having an online merchant account means you can’t accept credit card payments- a big mistake that could cost you sales and customers. Online shoppers tend to be suspicious of a business that doesn't accept credit cards. They may think your business is a fly-by-night operation. Accepting credit cards shows that you are a viable, established business and that your customer's convenience is important.

What other customer service mistakes do online businesses make? Here's our top ten list:

1. Don't have a working toll free number for both the US and Canada
2. Never send out confirmation emails for online orders
3. Not meeting promised delivery dates
4. Sending unsolicited e-mail messages
5. Having a s-l-o-w cumbersome website
6. Not providing an FAQ section (frequently asked questions)
7. Hiding important information like return policies and shipping costs
8. Giving away customer details to another company
9. Letting a customer think an item is in stock, when it isn't
10. Rude customer service employees

At Instamerchant we take pride in our customer service. That's why we provide 24 hour, 7 day a week customer service to our online merchant accounts. Our representatives speak over 140 languages, so you'll be understood and have your questions answered in your own language.

Take your customer service to the next level by getting your merchant account credit card plan started today. Call 888-760-1700.