If you own a business and ready to accept credit card payment, finding a trusted business credit card processing service to partner with is crucial. Indeed, accepting credit card payment from customers can make a huge difference in your marketing performance. In this article, let’s discuss the benefits of having a merchant account and the essential factors to consider when evaluating different credit card processing companies.

What are the benefits of business credit card processing?

Almost all consumers today prefer to pay with a credit card for convenience. Whether your customer chooses to purchase from the internet or personally visits your store location, providing them with cash or credit card payment options will surely give you the edge over your competitors. Just imagine how much sales you may lose if you only accept cash payment.

If you are a wholesale supplier, accepting credit card payment from business-to-business clients is also advantageous especially as increasing numbers of small business entrepreneurs today use business credit cards to build corporate credit history.

Comparing Business Credit Card Processors

When evaluating various credit card processing services in the market, consider the following factors:

Account Set-up Fees. How much do you need to pay to register for a payment gateway? Of course, a trusted credit card processing company would never demand unfair charges for these services.

Versatility. It is important to make sure that you will be able to accept different kinds of credit cards used by consumers. Since there are several credit card issuers available in the market- not to mention issuers of debit cards and electronic check providers, you want to make sure that you can give flexible payment choices to your customers.

Online and Offline Access. Does the credit card processing company offer services regardless of where or how the payment (offline or online) was made? For example, your customer can use a credit card when placing an order from your business website or through telephone, or when purchasing a product from your store in person.

Reliable Fraud and Security Protection. A merchant who accepts credit card payments must be very aware of the risk of credit card fraud and identity theft. Will your credit card processor be able to protect you from such threats by using a secured system? Can your business credit card processor guarantee your safety as well as the safety of your customers?

Maintenance Charges. How much will it cost you to use the credit card processing service on a monthly or yearly basis? Different companies may require varying fees, depending on the number of credit card transactions a merchant reaches each month. See to it that every cent you pay for the service will be worth your expense.

24/7 Customer Service. Can you rely on your chosen credit card processor’s support 24 hours a day, seven days a week? What if you encounter problems or issues with your transactions? Will your processor be ready to help you, especially if you are a new business owner? What options do you have to get in touch with the processing company’s customer service representative?