How Do I Start Accepting Credit Cards?

There may be a legitimate reason why you’re considering accepting credit cards. Maybe your business is brand new and you need the extra boost to your bottom line that accepting credit cards can provide. Or maybe you’ve been around for a while but you’ve suddenly discovered serious growth potential that requires you to accept credit cards. Perhaps you’ve moved into a new market where accepting credit cards is essential to doing business.

Whatever the reason, you’re ready to start accepting credit cards. How do you sort through all the options and questions to get started?

At Merchant Express, we believe that the smartest business decision is an informed one, and to that end we are committed to teaching you everything we know about how to accept credit cards.

How to Accept Credit Cards
First, you’re going to need a merchant account. This is an account established solely for the purpose of accepting credit and debit card payments, and it is set up entirely separate from your bank account. A merchant account also serves as an agreement between a retailer, a merchant bank and a payment processor for the settlement of credit card and/or debit card transactions.

To set up a merchant account, you will need to choose a credit card processor, like Merchant Express. Banks also offer merchant accounts, but their application process is much more rigid and they do not offer all of the options and benefits of credit card processing that we do.

Once your merchant account is established, you need the proper hardware and software to process credit cards. Your options depend largely on the type(s) of business you operate.

Point-of-Sale Terminal
This is most common method for accepting credit cards in a retail, or face to face, environment where the credit card is present. There is a wide array of point-of-sale terminals by manufacturers like Verifone and Equinox Payments(formerly known as Hypercom) from which to choose. If those names sound familiar, it’s likely you saw one or both the last time you went shopping, and Merchant Express can offer you the best solution for your needs.

Internet
This is the most common method for accepting card not present (CNP) transactions, especially for online or “dot com” companies. It empowers you to process transactions right from your desktop by transforming your PC or laptop into a “virtual terminal.”

Wireless
This is the perfect credit card processing solution for mobile merchants. You can purchase software that will allow you to process payments on your laptop or on a terminal that uses a secure wireless network. It’s also possible to transform your smartphone or mobile device into a wireless terminal with a simple app.

Software
Credit card processing software makes all types of transactions effortless and easy to track. Whether a face-to-face, web or wireless transaction, processing software makes accepting credit cards simple.

Phone
If you work out of your home, or if your operation just doesn’t have a heavy sales volume, you still want your transactions to be easy, reliable and secure. Phone processing is the way to go.

Now that you’re informed, why not start today — for free?!
Merchant Express offers a 30-day, risk-free trial of its services. There’s no payment, no obligation, no fine print and no false promises involved. Just click here to complete our merchant account application and discover the value of Merchant Express for yourself.

Be ready to grow your business by accepting credit cards in as little as 24 hours with Merchant Express!