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If you’re not offering credit card payment processing for your customers, you’re getting left in the dust. In this modern day and age, credit and debit cards are the primary forms of payment; they’re quick, they’re easy, and they’re incredibly convenient. Plus, they can provide your business with a number of profit-increasing benefits and advantages you just don’t get otherwise.

What is Credit Card Payment Processing?

Credit card payment processing allows your customers to use their credit cards or bank-issued debit cards to pay for products or services from your company. It can be done in-person, at a card terminal or point-of-sale system in a retail store, restaurant, or other establishment, or it be done digitally, either online or via a mobile phone.

No matter which route you choose to go, one thing is for certain: credit card payment processing can be a huge game-changer when it comes to your business. It can make your customers more willing to buy, increase customer satisfaction, lower you overhead costs, and improve your business in a number of other ways.

Ways to Accept Credit Card Payments

There are a variety of ways you can choose to accept credit card payments. From terminals on the front counter of your brick-and-mortar store to integrated payment gateways on your website, there are card processing options for every possible need and budget.

Some types of credit card payment processing include:

• Static card terminals – The most traditional form of credit card processing is what you use every time you’re at the grocery store, gas station, or store in the mall: a card terminal on the front counter or next to the cash register. Customers swipe their cards, type in their pin or sign their name, and the transaction is processed right then and there.
• Wireless point-of-sale systems – Wireless point-of-sale systems are ideal for restaurants, and may even be used in retail stores or other locations. These systems use a wireless device to process card transactions on the spot. An employee simply takes the device to the customer or diner, lets them swipe their card, enter their pin, and the purchase is processed immediately. There’s no waiting in line, and there’s no finding a sales rep or cash register before customers can check out.
• Online credit card payment processing – Using an online shopping cart and integrated payment gateway, businesses can easily sell products online, accepting credit cards, debit cards, and other forms of payment via their website. Customers simply find the products they want, add them to a virtual shopping cart, enter payment details and, in a matter of days, their purchases are shipped directly to them. They never even have to leave the house!
• Mobile solutions – One of the more recent breakthroughs in the payment world is mobile payment processing. With this type of system, merchants, businesses, and individuals can accept credit card and debit card payments using only their smartphone. This allows sales to happen on the road, over the phone, while traveling, and anywhere else business takes you.

Who Can Use Credit Card Payment Processing?
Virtually anyone can utilize credit card payment processing. From the biggest corporation down to just one individual, there are processing options for every possibility. Big businesses with equally big budgets can opt for large-scale merchant accounts, while small businesses and individuals can save on funds and simply offer online or mobile card processing.

Additionally, credit card payment processing can benefit businesses in any type of industry. It can be advantageous for retail stores, allowing customers to pay for purchases easily and quickly at the front counter. It can be helpful for restaurants, which may benefit from wireless point-of-sales devices, effectively bringing the cash register directly to the diner’s table. It can even be valuable to service providers like plumbers, repairmen, and others, who, by using mobile card processing services, can accept payments on the spot after completing a service call.

Selecting Credit Card Payment Processing Companies

There are literally thousands of credit card payment processing companies out there. It can often be difficult to discern which ones are good, and which ones you should steer clear of, especially if you’re new to the processing world.

As a guide, we recommend considering the following factors when looking for the right card processing company for your business:

• Fees and rates – This should include not just the fees and rates you’ll be charged now, but also those you can expect months or years down the road. Remember, your contract will likely be long-term, so make sure you know what you can expect to be paying early on.
• Payment process – Find out how each of the credit card payment processing companies you’re considering manages payouts. Do they pay you the funds as soon as a customer’s transaction has been processed? Do they batch them, only paying you once or twice a month? The way your processor pays out will have a huge effect on your cash flow and bottom line. Be sure it fits in with your budget and business goals before you sign on the dotted line.
• Customer service – If you have problems with your processing services, you need to be able to get a hold of your provider immediately. Any delays could affect your sales, profits, and bottom line; so make sure you choose a credit card processing company that offers stellar, 24-7 customer support.
• Reviews – One of the most important things to factor in when consider credit card payment processing companies is their reviews. Take a minute to read past customer reviews before deciding to sign with a company. Were customers satisfied with their services? Did they lose out on money? Why did they cancel? These can give you a glimpse into how you will be treated if you choose their services.

How Credit Card Payment Processing Can Benefit Your Business

In the end, no matter which company you choose or which way you decide to deliver it, you can rest assured that offering credit card processing will help improve your bottom line. Credit card payment processing can improve overall customer satisfaction, make buying easier and more convenient, and offer your customers buying flexibility that’s unparalleled. It can also allow you to reach all those plastic-only buyers (there are a lot out there!), as well as afford you new routes for selling your products and services, including online and via mobile phones.

One of the best benefits of credit card payment processing is, however, that it makes impulse buys easier for your customers and better enables big-ticket purchases. Most customers won’t buy a $500 product using cash or personal check; the majority will use a credit card, so they can pay it off as finances allow. When you offer card processing, you open yourself up to these big-ticket purchases, and that can do great things for your bottom line.

More Information

For more information regarding credit card payment processing, check out these helpful links:

• Credit Card Payment Processing Reviews
• Credit Card Payment Processing – How it Works
• Methods for Processing Credit Cards

What is a Payment Processor?