×

Posted on

Here is Everything You Need to Know About Merchant Accounts

Category: Ecommerce

here-is-everything-you-need-to-know-about-merchant-accounts
Mohab Ecommerce 0

Have you always dreamt of running your business smoothly and efficiently? What do you know about merchant accounts? Well, proper management of cash flows is an integral part of it. If you are looking to set up a new business or even if you are already running one, you need to look at your cash flows to ensure that you maintain proper liquidity at all times. Opening a merchant account can help you in streamlining your cashflows and get proper control over your finances. There are several merchant account solutions available these days. In order to choose the right one for your business, here are some tips you can follow.

Know what a merchant account is:

In order to obtain the best merchant account to meet your business requirements, first make sure that you are knowledgeable about the different features of a merchant account. A merchant account is a type of bank account which enables a business to accept payments through debit and credit cards in addition to several other types of electronic payment solutions. You will need to collaborate with a payment processor for this purpose. However, you should also note that not all merchant accounts are created equally. Shop around to see what type of merchant account is able to meet your specific requirements. You should pay attention to your business size, growth rate and future plans to pick the right kind of payment partner.

            Also Read: Merchant Account Vs. Payment Gateway: What’s The Difference?

Pay attention to fees and costs:

While a merchant account will help you in keeping your business financially efficient, you should be aware that these services come at a cost. Hence, it is important that you pay proper attention to all the fees. Generally, these costs may be divided into two categories, which are upfront or setup costs and operating costs. There are many merchant accounts which may come with nil set up fees too. However, before making any decision, focus on operating costs as well since these are the costs you will have to pay for the entire duration of your merchant account. If the costs are charged on the basis of volume, then keep your growth rate in mind, since these costs tend to add up real fast.

Pay attention to hardware and software:

Every merchant account deals with both hardware and software. It is vital that you gauge the efficiency and security of these services. Hardware generally includes payment terminals, which are required for payment processing. Such hardware may be leased or given to you outright. Make sure that you fully understand all the charges involved and that there are no surprises. For software, you should ensure that the system can seamlessly integrate with your existing business setup. Pay attention to the fine print in terms of cancellation, withdrawals and other charges.

            Also Read:5 Common Myths about Merchant Accounts Processing That Can Lead You Astray

Customer service and support:

When you decide to engage an online payment processor, you should look into the customer service and support provided by them. Payment processing is complex and there will be times when you will require urgent customer care. You should ensure that your provider is able to process your grievances promptly. There should also be provision for self-service so that you are able to fix minor issues and minimize the potential damage. The customer service should be available through different channels such as emails and telephone. However, in some cases, you may also arrange for a dedicated account executive.

Flexibility and customization:

Your online payment processor should be able to provide you customizable features so that your system can be adapted to accommodate the requirements of your business. It should be tailor-made to ensure that you are able to offer the best possible services to your clients. It should also be flexible so that it can provide for your expanding business. You may want to offer diverse payment options to your clients too and your payment processor should be in a position to accommodate such changes.

            Also Read: Top 7 Most Common Merchant Account Complaints that Can be a Red Flag

Merchant accounts are extremely important for online businesses and should be chosen carefully after due deliberation. And by following the above guidelines, you can bring positive changes to your online business.

4 years ago
how-to-choose-an-online-payment-gateway
Mohab Ecommerce 0

For an online business, choosing an online payment gateway is one of the most important decisions. In order to do that, you should pay attention to a number of factors including customer satisfactions. It is important that your business provides smooth payment experience to the clients, while ensuring the safety and security of their funds and sensitive data.

Here are some of the guidelines that will help you choose the right online payment gateway to ensure that your clients get the best services.

Understand the Process

In order to make an informed choice, it is important to understand the process of online payment gateway system. It is a tool that authorizes credit card payments and other types of online payments for e-commerce transactions. When a client enters their credit or debit card information for online payment processing, then gateway encrypts the data and sends it to the payment processor. The payment processor is responsible for sending the request to the client’s bank, which may either accept or reject the request. This decision is again relayed by the payment processor to the payment gateway.

Fees and Charges

Pricing is another important aspect to keep in mind while choosing an online payment gateway. If the fee is charged on the basis of percentage then you should be careful about the volume of the business, as after a certain extent, these fees begin to pile up. Different payment gateways may charge different fees and expenses. You should make it a point to note that such fees are not excessive. Some of the most common types of charges are interchange, assessment, markup and processing. You should carefully analyze your business to find whether you should opt for flat pricing or tiered pricing.

Also Read: Switching Your Payment Gateway

Hosted or Integrated

While incorporating a payment gateway, this is yet another important factor to be kept in consideration. A hosted payment gateway redirects the clients to the payment processor’s platform for data input. On the other hand, integrated payment gateway is connected to your website using the gateway’s API for online payment processing. Here, customers do not have to leave the store to enter their financial data. However, this option will require you to undertake rigorous task of payment gateway integration.

Safety Measures

While it is important to provide a fast and smooth experience to your clients, it is equally vital to ensure that yours and your clients’ data is adequately secured. You should look at the technologies employed by various online payment gateways. Nowadays, a Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard or PCI DSS protocol is deemed to be the bare-minimum necessity. You should also consider the compliance level offered by the payment gateway. Further, it is also recommended to study the PCI Self-Assessment Questionnaire and completing Attestation of Compliance. You should also check whether your service provider offers regular software updates to ensure protection against cyber-attacks.

Also Read: The 4 Step Procedure for an Easy Payment Gateway Integration

Study the Support System

Online payment gateway is an important component of an online store. On many occasions, you may require support system to help solve your payment related issues. Ideally, your online payment gateway should offer different modes of support system including chat service, telephonic support and email support. Further, your payment gateway should also be able to process different type of payments systems such as credit card, debit card, direct debit among other systems. If you are engaged in cross-border business, then you should be able to process different types of currencies as well.

To conclude

Choosing the right online payment gateway is not that difficult if you understand your business needs. All you need to do is consider all the factors discussed above before selecting the right provider.

4 years ago
the-importance-of-packaging-in-e-commerce
Mohab Ecommerce 0

Packaging is an often neglected but still one of most important parts of a business operation. The importance of packaging is even more crucial in the case of E-commerce as products spend a long time in transit, going through difficult situations. Packaging also has ecological side to it as wasteful packaging is said to have immense negative impact on the environment. Further, it is also important to control the costs associated with packaging. Here are some of the ways E-commerce businesses can enhance the value added by the packaging.

Importance of Packaging:

Packaging is much more than just wrapping the goods and sending them to customers. You can create your own brand identity through packaging. You can opt for custom packaging where you can create packages in different shapes and sizes and personalize them to reflect the core values of your business. Further, packaging may also be customized according to the customer base of your business. Either way, you can ensure that your packaging strategy does a lot more than just protecting and transporting goods. While the main purpose of packaging is to safeguard the goods, it may very well be used for branding purpose. Due to these reasons, packaging is an important concept which requires thoughtful consideration on the part of businesses.

Optimize the Costs:

There are several types of costs associated with packaging. Some of the direct costs are in the form of money spent on buying boxes, wrapping papers and wages paid to packing workers while indirect costs are incurred in the form of spoilage and wastage. It is important that both these costs are optimized so that the bottom line of the business is enhanced. With proper packaging, you can ensure that the product reaches their destination in the best possible condition, thereby reducing the chances of return. This can help you minimize associated postage costs and loss of reputation. You should also try to incorporate innovative techniques such as the use of eco friendly packaging material. Further, the costs may also be optimized by reducing the packaging material used, without compromising the safety of the goods and customers.

Build Strong Rapport with Customers:

Packaging may be used for creating a better bond with your clients. The packaging of a product is the first instance of a customer’s interaction with your brand. Since first impression counts, it is important that you create a positive brand image in the eyes of your clients. The packaging should be secure but still should be easy to remove, without causing any undue hassle to the customers. Also your clients should be able to unpack the goods without leading to any damage to the goods. If a product is well packaged and is convenient to handle, then your customers will likely have better opinion of your business.

Promote Brand Value and Loyalty:

The value of packaging goes beyond protecting the goods. You can create brand value by paying attention to the way you package your product. You can create further value by customizing the packaging to meet the requirements of particular products. For example, if you deal with edibles and food products, you may have to opt for temperature controlled packaging so as to ensure the safe and secure arrival of your products. You can emblazon your brand name on the packaging to make a lasting impression on your customers. Another good practice is to add essential information pertaining to the product on the packaging itself.

Bring Innovation:

While it is important to create brand loyalty and brand image through the use of packaging, it is equally important to ensure that various costs associated with packaging are optimized. Apart from financial costs, the social cost of packaging also needs to be considered. It should be ensured that the packaging is able to keep the goods safe but should not be excessive at the same time. It is also important to put emphasis on recycling of packaging material. There is also increased focus on using eco friendly packaging material.

Packaging is generally overlooked as an important part of a marketing plan. This concept has strong potential to help a business achieve its revenue and profitability targets while delivering value to its customers.

Also Read: What are the key components of a custom payment gateway

4 years ago
what-are-the-key-components-of-a-custom-payment-gateway
Mohab Ecommerce 0

Choosing the right payment gateway is crucial for an online business as these gateways can complete online transactions quickly, safely and efficiently. A robust payment gateway not only provides efficiency but also maintains integrity of the operations. There are several ways to incorporate a payment gateway into your system. You can choose to deploy a third-party payment gateway for processing your transactions or go for a personalized payment processing system. Each system has its own unique features, but a custom payment gateway can provide you with flexibility and efficiency which is unparalleled. Here are some of the key components of a custom payment gateway you should know about, to make informed decisions.

  1. Great Customer Experience:

    A custom payment gateway should be designed in such a manner that it maximizes the customer experience. The payment process should ideally have minimal number of steps to follow. It should also be intuitive so that the transaction proceeds in a smooth manner. You can also enhance the consumer experience by using well-known logos for different processes. The process should also be transparent so as to foster a sense of security and reliability in the clients. You can also enhance user experience by offering a wide range of payment options. Such flexibility will allow your users to maximize their utility and create brand loyalty.

  1. Sufficient Security:

    While speed and simplicity are desirable qualities in a custom payment gateway, it is equally important to ensure the safety factor of the transactions There are several security certifications available which will be helpful in providing a sense of safety to your clients. Ideally, your system should be PCI compliant. Further, you should also constantly upgrade your technology to effectively counter new spam and cyber-attack threats. End to end encryption of the transactions will ensure that the data transmitted remains safe and secure. Additional precautions should be undertaken to further secure personally identifiable information such as social security number and date of birth.

  1. Freedom of Customization:

    One of the biggest features of a custom payment gateway is that you can design it the way you want. You can add features while taking out some of the other complexities which you do not require. If you have a mainly subscription based business, you can allow for recurring payments on select dates. This feature will take away the hassle of recurring billing and will make the process more efficient. If your business deals with overseas clients, then it will make sense for your payment system to accept a wide range of foreign currencies. You may also want to display your payment system in different languages for making it easy to follow for your clients.

  1. Sensible Fees and Charges:

    Most payment gateways are able to provide their services at affordable rates due to economies of scale. However, the various benefits provided by a custom designed payment system can justify its higher costs. If planned properly, you might be able to reduce these expenses on a custom payment gateway as well. You should carry out extended and informed deliberation with various financial service providers to ensure that you optimize various charges and fees. Further, you should also pass down some of the benefits to your clients so as to build a solid customer base.

  1. Modular Feature:

    Setting up a custom payment processing system can be a daunting task. There are several variables to be taken care of, including the number of processors to collaborate with. Ideally, you should work with multiple processors to minimize the possibility of outages. This setup will also provide you with leverage in terms of negotiation. If you are building a custom payment system, then you should pay adequate attention to security features as well. Further, a foolproof process should be set up for handling arbitration, chargebacks and disputes. The process should be such that your clients do not face unnecessary hurdles while getting their grievances addressed.

All in all, custom payment gateways can indeed help you optimize your business processes. You can also ensure that your clients have the smoothest possible experience by incorporating features specific to your business. The process should also be flexible so that it can handle any changes in your business model.

4 years ago
top-reasons-why-your-business-should-accept-payments-online
Mohab Ecommerce 0

For a business, one of the most important tasks and objectives is to maintain the profitability and liquidity of the organization. It is important to ensure that you are able to receive your dues in a prompt manner. This can be made easy by adopting the right online payment methods. If your business is able to accept online payments, then you can convert your receivables into cash with relative ease. Online shoppers also prefer to make payments through digital modes these days. Here are some of the advantages of online payment systems.

Collaboration with Expert Online Payment Providers: While you can set up your own online payment system, teaming up with specialized online payment processors has many benefits. There are certain points to keep in mind while choosing your online payment provider. They should possess state of the art infrastructure so as to offer efficiency and security to your clients. It is preferable that the system is also equipped with the latest anti-scam software to provide protection against cyber-attacks. Further, you should also pay thorough attention to their fee structure. There should be no element of surprise for you or your clients. A reputed gateway will disclose all fees and charges upfront. If the provider charges fee on volume basis, you should ensure that it is reasonable at all the levels. Such collaborations can provide you with specialized services, making your business more efficient.

            Also Read: 7 Tips for Safe Online Transactions

Easy Setup: The process of accepting online payments is not complicated at all. The setup takes only a short while and offers immense convenience. You can easily integrate this payment system with your website and online store. The integration process may differ from one online payment gateway to another but the fundamentals remain the same. The registration process is also simple and quick, requiring you to provide some essential information. There is generally minimal paperwork involved. Once the set up is integrated, you are only required to take up periodical maintenance sessions. Now, you are all set to accept online payments from your clients.

Affordable: Thanks to consistent improvement in technology, online payment systems are becoming more affordable with time. Most online payment processors now offer accounts with zero setup fees. This feature adds on to the efficiency of your business. As more and more businesses are signing up for online payment processing systems, the transaction fees are also coming down, thus rationalizing the operational costs. In many cases, the online payment processor may also agree for a lumpsum payment, irrespective of the volume. This deal may be ideal for fast-growing businesses. With declining costs, the benefits of online payment systems outweigh the shortcomings. Businesses now get to boost their margins by using these cost-effective online payment solutions.

Widen Your Market: Online payment solutions allow you to increase your turnover and reach a wider market. With the help of these gateways, you can service overseas markets as well, since you can accept foreign currencies. Online payment solutions facilitate the use of international credit and debit cards, thus increasing the reach of your products and services. You can attract more customers with online payment facilities and gain a competitive edge over your peers. You can offer more payment options to your clients, allowing them to spend their money without hassle. Further, online payment systems are known to encourage impulse purchases. Such purchases can add significantly to your bottom line.

Better Customer Satisfaction: By introducing online payment facility, you can greatly enhance the shopping experience for your clients. They will have more choices when it comes to making payments for your goods and services. They will also be in a position to plan their budget better, as they can use their credit cards instead of making upfront cash payments. The faster delivery of goods is another benefit, since online payments are processed faster than offline payments. Online payment systems generally come with inbuilt security features, which increase the element of trust and safety.

To conclude, accepting online payments has become essential for all businesses, especially after the pandemic, as social distancing will continue for some time to come. And with easy set up and operations, this feature can help you boost your revenue and profit too.

4 years ago