Credit card processing companies (also known as merchant services companies, merchant accounts providers, credit card processors, payment processors, or online payment processing companies) are companies that allow you to accept credit card payments. Credit card processors act as intermediaries between your business and your customer’s credit card/debit card provider, making this the quickest and best way to take credit card payments.
Here’s how the top credit card processors help you realize your goal of accepting credit card payments:
The best credit card processer companies can make this happen in the blink of an eye.
Not all credit card processors offer merchant services, but all merchant services companies offer credit card processing. The top merchant services companies offer a range of services to merchants (businesses), including: credit card processing, business financing, gift card programs, loyalty programs, online payment gateways, and website design. The terms ‘merchant services provider’ and ‘credit card processor’ are used interchangeably, but it’s important to remember that credit card processing is only one of many services offered by the best online merchant services providers.
If you’re the sort of business owner who enjoys the convenience of a one-stop shop, then the best credit card processor for you may be one also that offers a variety of merchant services. But if you only need to accept credit card payments, then you can freely choose from the best credit card processor companies without having to worry about whether they offer additional services.
Typically, the best payment solutions for small business involve many different types of rates and fees. As a result, it can be difficult to run an accurate credit card merchant fees comparison.
The most important fee to know about is the interchange fee – the fee you pay for each transaction. Depending on your merchant accounts provider, you could be subject to any number of other fees and charges. According to Square, one of the top payment processing companies, the average cost of processing payments for an American business earning $10,000 to $250,000 in annual payments volume is between 2.87% to 4.35% per transaction.
Some of the best payment solutions for small business charge the interchange/transaction fee and little else, while others charge dozens of fees. There is no right or wrong. However, one thing is for sure: the top merchant services have transparent CC processing fees and charges. When you compare merchant services, always read the fine print to be sure you know what you’re being charged. Obviously, the fee structure needs to suit your sales volume; the best payment solutions for small business aren’t necessarily the same as for a large business.
Here are the main types of CC processing fees and rates to know about:
Interchange is a wholesale fee that accounts for most of the cost of accepting credit card payments. Technically speaking, each card provider (e.g. Mastercard, Visa) sets its own interchange fees. However, many credit card merchant companies charge the same interchange fee regardless of card provider, making it a lot easier for you to know what you’re paying. An interchange fee is comprised of two parts: a percentage of the transaction amount plus a flat fee, e.g. 2.5% + $0.10 per transaction. Additional fees apply for foreign currency transactions.
Some, but not all, payment processing companies charge a flat monthly fee for using their services.
Some credit card merchant services charge a percentage of your estimated monthly sales volume, e.g., 0.1% of sales up to 1,000 sales, then 0.11% of the next 1,000 sales, etc.
To begin accepting credit card payments, you need a physical terminal like a countertop register or mobile EMV. Most merchant services companies double up as credit card machine companies, offering to sell or lease equipment to your business. If you’re intent on buying the best credit card machine for your small business, then separate costs will apply. However, many of the top merchant services providers offer smaller equipment (such as mobile card readers) for free.
If you don’t reach the minimum amount of annual transactions agreed to in your contract, your merchant accounts provider may charge you an additional fee.
Even among the top 10 merchant services companies, you may find one or more of these additional CC processing fees:
E-commerce is an important and growing source of income for many businesses. The best payments solutions for small businesses also offer online credit card processing through what are known as online payment gateways or virtual terminals. Online payment gateways securely encrypt the customer’s data and send it to the payment processor. At the back end, the process works the same as with physical credit or debit card transactions, all the way up to the issuing of a receipt to the customer.
Here are things to consider when comparing the best online credit card processing solutions:
Getting approved to begin accepting credit card payments is straightforward. As long as you can show you’re a legitimate, lawful business, you shouldn’t have too much trouble opening an account with the best card merchant services providers. Charges generally depend on how much you earn each month or year. If you fail to make the amount agreed upon with the processing company, then you may be subject to additional fees.
The one group that can have trouble getting approved by payment processing companies is ‘high-risk’ merchants: businesses that typically have lots of chargebacks or that do business in multiple currencies.
High-risk businesses include:
If you fall into this category, then what you need is a credit card processor or merchant services provider that caters to high-risk businesses.