Whether your business is new or an older one that is starting to see some growth, you may be interested in accepting credit cards. Accepting credit cards allows your business to grow its customer base, since many people use credit cards because of their convenience. Many people simply don?t carry around checks or tons of cash. If you are ready to take your business to the next level, here are the steps to take.
Steps to Take
The first step is to open a merchant account. This account allows you to accept debit and credit card payments only and is not tied to your bank accounts. It also serves as an agreement among the retailer, bank and payment processor. A credit card processor is required to open a merchant account. Some banks offer accounts, but the application and approval process can be lengthy and strict. Plus, credit card processors often offer more options and benefits. Once you have an account set up, you need the proper software and hardware to accept credit card transactions. The equipment you need will depend on the how you want to accept credit cards.
Ways of Accepting Credit Cards
There are several ways you can accept and process credit cards. If you run a home-based business and have a small sales volume, you could accept credit cards by phone. If you are an online business, you will need to accept credit cards through the Internet. This turns the computer into a virtual terminal. A point-of-sale terminal is used in a face-to-face environment, such as a retail store or restaurant, in which the credit card must be physically present. If you are a mobile merchant that?s constantly on the go, you can still accept credit cards. Just turn a laptop or smartphone into a wireless credit card processor with a simple to use app.
Your business may lose out on revenue if you can?t accept payment from anywhere in the world. Contact Allied Wallet to start accepting credit cards and get connected to payment solutions that fit your needs.
