Solutions

When a business elects to accept credit cards for payment, one of the things that they have to consider is the processing method that they will use to take that payment.

Here are some of the current options available for processing payments:

Terminal

Terminal
This is one of the most common ways to accepts credit cards. We see them in almost every store / shop / saloon. A physical terminal includes a unit with buttons that is connected via wire to either the Internet or to a phone jack or wirelessly. The credit card is physically swiped or “dipped” (this is the new term for the chipcards). The information about the sale is sent immediately to your processing company. This can also be used when a physical card is not
present (e.g. a phone order), by manually entering the credit card number.

Virtual Terminal

Virtual Terminal
This is a terminal that is accessed online by the merchant. A computer takes the place of the transaction terminal. A card reader may be used in conjunction with this solution as well. Credit card information, along with the information for the sale are all keyed into a website, and the transaction is processed.

One of the features of a virtual terminal is that it can also be programmed to handle recurring transactions. If you want to charge your customer a consistent monthly / weekly amount – this can all be handled automatically by the virtual terminal.

Mobile Devices

Mobile Devices
In this solution, you use your cell phone or iPad as a card payment terminal. The information can either be keyed in by the merchant, or a small clip-on device can be used to read the physical card’s magnetic stripe or chip.

Internet Shopping Cart

Internet Shopping Cart
A shopping cart is directly connected to your merchant account. Customers can use it to purchase products online directly from your website.

Single Page Web Payments

This is a solution that allows your customers to make payments that come directly to you, but avoids having a shopping cart to maintain. These are particularly useful for one-time payments. For example, youth sports programs where the parents are paying registration fees and/or dues, retailers/service providers who simply put this web address on their invoices as a way for their customers to pay without issuing a check or property managers who collect rent via this solution.

Integration With Software

Many businesses have systems that are specific to their type of business. Many of these software products have direct links to their merchant accounts through a gateway. I help businesses navigate the integration of their merchant account with their software system.


JerryWistrom.com Phone: 860-298-8820
jerry@merchantaccountsmadesimple.com