New Credit Card Processing Services To Look At

If you're a new small-business owner, you will probably be searching for credit card processing services to help you accept credit card payments from your customers. There are many options available, and depending on the type of business you're involved in, you will have many choices. Therefore, here is a list of some credit card processing services that you should consider.

Standard Merchant Accounts

Many large banks offer merchant accounts that enable you to accept credit cards from your customers. Most of these types of credit merchant accounts allow you to use a standard credit card machine to swipe the card of the customer and receive payment.

However, in recent years there are companies that are not banks that are offering credit card services as well; for example, companies like Costco and Sam's Club now offer very competitive discount rates to business members that choose to use their merchant account services.

These wholesale clubs leverage the fact that they have thousands of business owner members to negotiate lower transaction fees with the major electronic payment gateways and credit card processors. Therefore, small-business owners that use the services of companies like Costco and Sam's Club can avail of discount rates that are normally lower than most large banks.

QuickBooks Processing

Many small businesses use Intuit's QuickBooks software to manage their business; in fact, it is by far the most popular accounting software packages for small business. Intuit now offers a way for small businesses to easily accept credit card payments and have the payment information integrated directly into the QuickBooks software application. Furthermore, Intuit works with a network of banks and has negotiated a low discount rate for small businesses that take advantage of their merchant account services. Therefore, if you use QuickBooks software, the Intuit merchant account program is something you might want to consider.

Take Credit Card with Your Cell Phone

One of the latest trends in credit card processing is actually a new twist on an old idea. Some small businesses don't take credit cards very often or provide services outside of the office or shop; for these types of small-business owners, a merchant accounts designed for use with a cell phone or landline telephone can prove to be invaluable.

With these types of accounts you simply dial a toll-free number, enter the customer's credit card number and sale amount, and the processing service will quickly give you an authorization and approval code or denial. Furthermore, discount rates for this type of service are not that much more expensive than with standard merchant accounts; therefore they can be an excellent option if you accept only the occasional credit card payment or work outside the office.

Internet Credit Card Processing

Companies like Authorize.Net allow you to process credit card transactions over the Internet. You can use these types of services to receive credit card payments on your website as well as enter credit card information directly into a webpage. Once you enter a customer's credit card number, expiration date and sale amount, the system will issue an approval code or inform you that the transaction has been denied. A major benefit with this type of system is that you can use the system from any web enabled computer.

There are many types of convenient credit card processing services available these days; therefore, you need only search for the service that best suits your business and is most convenient for you.