How to Accept Credit Cards Online

1. You can use a secure online third party merchant account provider.
2. You can purchase your own merchant account system.
3. You can use an ecommerce website host which includes a merchant account with their hosting service.

The best credit card solution for you will depend on your company's and customer's needs.

Third-Party Merchant Account Providers:

Using a third party provider eliminates the need for you to purchase your own merchant account and supply a secure server. Many budget-conscious business owners like this option.

One of the most popular ways to accept credit cards online is through PayPal. It is free to sign up, and there are no monthly fees. A small percentage is deducted from each transaction to pay for the use of the service. PayPal is easy to set up, and you can incorporate their system right on to your website. They provide a secure server and a recognized brand, which makes it easier for customers to trust you and buy from you.

Many people who sell digital products online use Clickbank to process orders. PayDotCom and e-Junkie are also popular service providers that let you sell digital products as well as a variety of different items. Using these networks offers sellers a big advantage of reaching thousands of affiliates to help market their products for them. If you want help from other salespeople in marketing your product, this exposure has the potential of really boosting your sales.

Buy Your Own Merchant Account:

If your business does several hundred or thousands of transactions a month, you may benefit from getting your own merchant account. The key factors you want to look at when shopping for merchant accounts is (1) the set up cost and (2) the monthly charges for each transaction. Generally, when you have your own merchant account, you pay less per transaction. If you can find a provider that does not charge a set-up fee, you can get a significant cost savings. Merchant Express offers low rates with free set up. They also have cell phone (wireless) credit card processing solution for mobile merchants.

All-in-One Ecommerce Website Solutions:

If you plan to sell more than one item and want to set up your own online store, there are ecommerce platforms you can use that will help you set up your website and also provide you with a built-in merchant account. This all-in-one solution makes setting up a store seamless, taking out a lot of the work. Besides saving you money, it can save you a lot of time.

Two popular ecommerce website providers include ProStores (an eBay company) and BigCommerce.com. You can try both of these services for free to see which you like better. Not only can you use these platforms to easily sell online - but you can sell on eBay, Facebook, iPhone and even email. Probably many of the small business stores you have visited use these selling solutions simply because they are affordable and easy to use.