How to Accept Credit Card Payments: a Step-by-Step Guide

Nowadays, the majority of consumers expect all merchants to accept credit and debit cards. So, if your company still doesn’t live up to that standard, it is highly recommendable that you introduce card processing as soon as possible.

This guide will give you practical tips on how to start accepting credit card payments and take you through all the intricacies of this procedure step-by-step.

1. Identify Your Company’s Payment Processing Needs?

So, you have found yourself wondering: “how do I accept credit card payments?” The key to success is to tackle this procedure one step at a time.

To begin taking credit card payments, it is first essential to understand what the payment processing needs of your business are. This way, you will be able to identify which tools and systems your company needs to integrate.

Below are the four main ways to accept credit card payments:

In-person

If you have a land-based store, your business will benefit from accepting in-person card purchases. In this case, you will need a card terminal, preferably connected to a point-of-sale (POS) system.

When selecting the equipment, ensure that it’s EMV-compatible and can facilitate chip card transactions. Besides, it is a great idea to get NFC-enabled terminals so that they can process purchases via digital wallets, such as Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay. This will be a considerable advantage when it comes to customers’ convenience.

Online

Most merchants that offer goods and services via their websites are highly reliant on online purchases. To take credit card payments online, you will require a digital storefront comprised of an ecommerce site and a payment gateway.

Mobile

For merchants operating a mobile business, such as food trucks and craft fair vendors, it is essential to process card purchases on the go. For these purposes, you will need a mobile point of sale (mPOS).

Essentially, it is a smartphone, tablet, or another wireless device with specialized software that enables it to function as a cash register. With an mPOS, merchants can handle card purchases anywhere, as long as there is an internet connection.

Over-the-Phone

Card-not-present (CNP) payments are conducted without the card and the cardholder being at the venue physically. For instance, such purchases often happen in small restaurants offering takeaway orders.

For such CNP purchases, a POS is typically enough. To conduct an over-the-phone purchase, the client has to share their details which the vendor will then manually enter into the system.

After deciding how to receive credit card payments, you can move on to the next step.

2. Get a Grasp of the Credit Card Processors’ Pricing Models

Before you proceed to select one of the credit card processors, it is vital that you understand how their pricing is formed. Then, you will be able to determine the most beneficial option for your company. There most common pricing types are:

• Flat-rate fees. This pricing model implies a fixed fee for every transaction, regardless of their amount.
• Tiered rates. Here, the processor defines qualified and non-qualified purchases and sets lower rates for the former ones and higher fees for the latter category.
• Interchange-plus fees. According to this pricing scheme, the rates depend on the card and transaction type. The processor charges the margin percentage in addition to the variable interchange rate.
• Subscription-based pricing. This pricing scheme typically covers more than just handling transactions. For instance, subscription packages often include fees for tax services, mailing lists, affiliate systems, and more.

Remember to always read the conditions thoroughly. Suspiciously low rates often turn out to be deceptive marketing traps.

3. Select the Credit Card Processor

At this point, you should make an educated decision and choose the best card processor for your company. Here are some important factors to keep in mind:

• Technical support availability. A customer support team that can react to your query fast is essential. Only then can you be sure that any issues that arise will be resolved quickly without causing any major inconvenience.
• Security. Credit card fraud is a serious issue - in 2020, there were over 390,000 reported cases in the US alone. That’s why it is crucial to select card processors that are PCI and EMV-compliant, use up-to-date security technologies (tokenization, E2EE, biometrics, etc.), and offer insurance.
• Additional features.Look out for extra features that the processor offers, such as payroll management, client engagement programs, and inventory organization.
• Competitive pricing. Select the pricing plan wisely using the tips provided above, as the right choice will enable you to save a lot of money in the long run.
• Client reviews. Checking the reviews submitted by other merchants will provide you with valuable insight into the quality of the service provided.

4. Open a Merchant Account

The next step you have to take to accept credit card payments is to open a merchant account unless the processor offers it as a part of the package. This account enables your business to partner with an acquiring bank that will facilitate all the steps in an electronic payment transaction.

5. Set Up the Equipment

The final thing you have to do to receive credit card payments is set up all the necessary hardware and software. For your convenience, it is recommended to select a payment processor that provides full support with the installation process.

Now you have all the fundamental knowledge on how to take credit card payments and are ready to choose the ideal payment processor for your goals. Read ahead to find out how Payneteasy can help your business reach its credit card processing goals without delays!

Credit Card Processing Solutions from Payneteasy

Payneteasy has been a leading payment service provider since 2016. The merchants that cooperate with us enjoy the following benefits:

• Custom solutions
• Brandable checkout pages
• Fast and seamless integration
• Responsive technical support
• Efficient traffic routing system
• Multiple acquiring banks support
• Convenient software to accommodate any payment interaction
• Highly effective fraud prevention algorithms
• User-friendly mPOS & POS management system
• Easy-to-use back office

If you wish to experience all these advantages, fill out the contact form now, and we will get back to you with a personalized quote in no time!