Few Online Payment Mistakes That Kill Conversion Rates

Common Online Payment Mistakes

NOT ASSURING THE SAFETY OF THE CUSTOMER’S INFORMATION

While making the online purchase, a customer has to enter a great number of personal information to your website. Not to forget the debit/credit card or internet banking details to make an online payment. If you are not providing proper security then there is a high possibility that the customers will not make the purchase.
So, it is always advised to all the merchants to offer proper security and privacy information to the website for the security of the product as well as the customer.

FORCING THE CUSTOMER TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT BEFORE MAKING PAYMENT

Every merchant needs a customer database for business but forcing the customer to create a merchant account every time he/she visits your website can be bad for business.

Furthermore, asking too much data while signing up can also force the customer to abandon the website.

But we also understand that account creation is important, and therefore to avoid such issues, you can try these tips:

Instead of asking to create an account, offer services like Sign In with Google or Facebook or any other social media account.
Furthermore, you can ask for address details and other personal information at the time of payment. Do not ask unimportant details.
Also, ask the customer to save his personal information to avoid entering them again and again. Make sure you assure the safety of this information.

REDIRECTING TO A DIFFERENT WEBSITE TO MAKE THE PAYMENT

A very common mistake that leads to a decrease in customer involvement is a redirection of the customer to another website while making the payment. Generally, the customer gets redirected to the gateway website when going for the payment, which can possibly scare them.

If this is the case with you too, them make sure you inform the customer about the same before the redirection. Other than that, make sure you add the merchant or company name clearly on the transaction receipt.

Online Payment Mistakes that kill Conversion for sure, however, it is up to the merchant whether the merchant is capable of dealing with them wisely or not.

LACK OF PAYMENT OPTIONS

There are a number of payment options available in the market. This means a customer can use a credit card, debit card, online banking, payment wallets or any other.

It is not required to add all of this information to the website for payment. But you should try adding all the important ones.

Make sure you check the in-demand payment preference of the customer in your location and try adding it your e-commerce website.

If you are still confused and do not know how to resolve the Online Payment Mistakes that kill Conversion, just get in touch with Merchant Stronghold by placing a call - +1 (888) 622 – 6875. You can also reach us by our email support service - info@merchantstronghold.com

How To Grow Your Online Small Business

Doesn’t matter if you own a small business or a large enterprise. The challenge to keep your business stabilized and profitable is always challenging. And when it comes to choosing the payment processor, you need to be very careful. Here in this the article you will get information regarding the Payment Processor for Small Businesses. Determining your business model, identify your needs in terms of the payment processor. Make a checklist and ask the following questions to get the ideal Payment Processor for Small Business:

• Do you own a business with a storefront?
• Does your business include traveling?
• Where your market is and what kind of customers you have?
• What is the currency that you usually deal in?

You can create some of your questions to determine and create a business model. You know the technology has advanced. Furthermore, figure out the payment the method you use or want to use for your business in the coming days. This will help in narrowing down which Point of Sale solution you would be pursuing and save you a lot of time.

Look through different Payment Processors Do not give in to the first payment processor that you come across. Juggle the market; check out the different services depending on your needs, ask whether you can get some customized service according to your business type. Also, look for the service that matches your requirements. You will find cheap services with an attractive plan. But, always put the security at your priority. Discuss your business needs openly and get the best Payment Processor for Small Business.

Put Security as the First Priority As a merchant, you need to keep yours as well as the customer’s money safe. Also,  a chargeback is a much greater concern than you realize. The secure payment the processor can help you avoid Chargebacks. And as a small business, you need to keep your chargeback rate less. If you need guidance to get the Payment Processor for Small Business then get an expert. Moreover, you should verify that the payment the processor is fully compliant with the latest PCI (Payment Card Industry) and EMV (EuroPay, MasterCard, and Visa) standards.

Frequently Asked Questions - Merchant Stronghold

Some of the frequently asked questions about our existing customers.

• What is the best payment system for small business?
• Names of the Credit card processing companies for small business
• What is the Credit card processing monthly fee for small business?
• What is the best way to accept credit cards for small business?
• List of credit card processing companies
• What are Mobile credit card processors?
• Options for Small business credit card payments
• Names of the Payment Processor for Small Business

If, you're a merchant and looking more information on how to set up your online business. Look at this!

Go to Link @ Merchant Stronghold

Merchant Account for Document Preparation Services Business

Document Preparation for Merchant Account

KYC

1. DL

2. Personal Bank Statement

KYB

1. AOI

2. EIN

3. Business Bank Statements

4. Void Check or Bank Letter

A business can successfully grow if it has all kinds of required services. A credit card processor is one of those services. If you have business or organization which prepares documents or keeps the records in the written form, then you must, without any doubt, get a credit card processor for accepting payments.

How Does Credit Card Processor Work?

First of all the issuing bank issues the card to the card holder. The cardholder is often referred to as a consumer once the card has been used to pay for goods or services. The consumer then pays the required amount to the merchant in exchange for goods. 

Then this payment is accepted by a merchant bank or acquiring bank to complete the transaction. Though in this story the leading role is played by the payment processor or credit card processor which accepts the payment on the behalf of the merchant and his/her bank.

How Would It Help In Document Processing Businesses?

A credit card processor plays a vital role in any kind of business. If the company has the business of processing documents then a credit card processor will be worthwhile for the business. It can eradicate the efforts of merchants when it comes to being paid for their services. A couple clicks and any person can be your customer.

Important Online Credit Card Processing For eCommerce Businesses

Let’s see some benefits of online credit card processing.

SECURITY

It is important for every online merchant to consider security and stability as the key factor of their business. For the long run of business and retention of customers, a reliable online credit card processing service is a must. The technology that is used for security includes PCI compliance standards. This makes it very difficult for criminals to crack the code and obtain customers data. Therefore, the customers gain confidence to use their credit cards to make a payment without hesitation.

FLEXIBILITY

When an online business touches international boundaries, it becomes essential to have a payment processor that can accept major currencies. We, at Merchant Stronghold, create such an E-commerce solution to deal with a variety of currencies. No longer bound by geographical boundaries, limited currency acceptance; the sky is the limit for your E-commerce business.

ACCESSIBILITY

To smoothen the process and gain accessibility from any part of the world, online credit card processing service can be configured to facilitate merchant to access the merchant account at any time. No longer bound to geographical location and address of the store, it is easier for the merchant to control and review business transaction from any part of the world with online access.

For more than a decade, Merchant Stronghold has proven its worth by providing excellent customer services, resolving queries of clients. And, providing them with the best solution for credit card processing. Go through the list of various options available, pricing, after sale service and compatibility before finalizing a payment gateway for your business. So, connect with our professionals now.

Integrate Multiple Payment Gateways With Merchant Stronghold

We recommend you to read this blog to completely understand the need of having a multiple payment gateways website.

GLOBAL EXPANSION OF BUSINESS

Who doesn’t want to expand their business to the global market? Now, if you are a merchant with an e-commerce website then you have great opportunities right intron of you. You can start selling your products all over the globe using your website.

TARGET TOWARDS BETTER REVENUE

Once you have added multiple gateways to your business, you’ll see increased traffic on your website. This means you will get an increase in conversion rate, which could eventually lead to better revenue.

BACKUP AND FAIL-SAFE PAYMENT SYSTEM

Using the gateways to make a transaction in your business can help you create an elaborate database of the customers. Using this database, you can mark faithful and regular customers, and at the same time blacklist the cardholders with a number of scams.

You can use this information for a successful business that can also help you reduce the number of chargebacks. Furthermore, you can back up this data using the gateway services.

If you have another payment gateway then you can securely copy all this data to another gateway and have all the similar advantages.

ADVANCED SECURITY AND SUPPORT SERVICES

Along with all the great services, the Payment Gateways also offers security and support. This gives relief to not only the merchant but also the customer.

Many of the payment gateways use high-level security systems to track and stop any kind of fraud related to the payment. Furthermore, in case of any query, they offer multiple support facility to the user.

ARE THERE ANY DRAWBACKS OF HAVING MULTIPLE PAYMENT GATEWAYS?

Now that you know about the advantages of multiple Payment Gateways website, let’s also dig into the drawbacks. Everything has its pros and cons. So, Yes, having multiple payment gateways also have some disadvantages. They are:

Management of multiple payment gateways – Having multiple payment gateways means managing multiple vendors, contracts, and relationships that can cost both time and money.

High processing fees and costs – If you add more payment gateways then you have to pay the payment processing fees to each of the gateway providers.

Do not result as profitable as it may sound – Many merchants add multiple gateways but the net revenue and the cost of gateways do not always complement one another, which result in a loss.

We offer assistance to the High-Risk Merchants, Low-Risk Merchants, E-commerce Merchants, Offshore Merchant, Retail Merchants, and many more.

What are the difference between Payment Gateway and Payment Processor

Payment Gateway vs Payment Processor

Payment Gateway – A Gateway that simply allows the merchant to access the e-commerce market by allowing the transaction. This is an online point-of-sale for the business. You just need to have a merchant license and merchant account. Then you can get a payment gateway for your business.

Payment Processor – As the name suggests, they process the transactions by exchanging data between merchant and bank. Also, a payment processor will also provide credit card machines and other equipment you use to accept credit card payments.

There are some processors who provide the payment gateway services as well. Also, you choose from the various payment processors and payment gateway service provider, depending on your demand.

How to Choose Credit Card Processing with Payment Gateway?

Comparing and then choosing the credit card processor for your business can be beneficial for your business. Here is a guide that you can use to choose the best credit card processing with a payment gateway.

A Processor that Offers Business Specific Services

• What is the size of your business and your monthly transaction value? This can help you choose your chargeback limit according to the need.
• Does your business require mobile processing? Or online transactions? If yes, then look for your Payment Processor to fulfill your demands first.
• Read the contract very well and then sign the papers after a complete evaluation.

A Service Provider with 24/7 Support

• Credit Card Processing with Payment Gateway is your necessity.
• But make sure you get sufficient support as well.
• And do check the services provided by the payment processors in the case of disputes and chargebacks.
• This means the Payment service provider should also offer a good support in case of an issue.

Ask for Additional Fees and Other Service Charges

• Do not forget to ask the details related to the Service Fees.
• This includes the additional fees, PCI Compliance, and other charges.
• Also, compare these charges of various Credit Card Processing with Payment Gateway to choose the under budget service.

If you need help while choosing a payment processor then you can contact Merchant Stronghold. We will provide you with an expert to guide you in the right direction and get your up and running in 24 hours.

Merchant Stronghold also provides the assistance with high-risk business and merchant accounts. Call us at the toll-free number+1 (888) 622 – 6875 or access the 24/7-email support now.

Advantage and Disadvantage Offline & Online Payment Processing

Most of us clearly understand the difference between the two payment methods that we have. As simple as it sounds, the offline method uses cash money or other valuable items to make a payment/transaction. On the other hand, the online method does not involve any physical money while making a payment.

But the thing is that many of us do not know how these payment methods are different in terms of advantages and disadvantages. In the next section of the article “Offline vs Online Payment Processing”, we will discuss a detailed difference between the both.

Advantages of Offline Payment Processing

There is a reason why most people around the globe still prefer to use cash for their daily money transaction. Some advantages of the offline method of payment are given below:

• The offline transactions are transparent. This means both the lender and receiver are sure about the transaction at the moment of the deal.
• Offline mode of payment is direct and do not depend on any other source. For example, the Internet or payment gateways.
• Easy to use and understand. Many people face difficulty with the online mode of payment.
• Being a traditional method of payment makes it more trusted. People still trust the bank checks and drafts and use them for payments.

Advantages of Online Payment Processing

In the war of Offline vs Online Payment Processing, the online method is winning so far. This is due to some advantages of this mode of payment.

• Speaking of frauds, the online methods are safer as the online payment gateway takes the responsibility for the money during the transactions.
• Online method is quick and easy. You can transfer a big chunk of money with just a swipe of your finger.
• You have the record of all the payments. This helps in reducing the payment frauds.
• Worldwide acceptance and 24*7 availability.
• You can make a transaction in any part of the world without facing the issue of currency difference.

Disadvantages of Offline Payment Processing

It’s not safe at all. The party on the receiving end will have to check and recheck the received payment.

The offline method is limited by many factors by distance and acceptance of another party.

Not recommended for the transaction of a large amount.

Disadvantages of Online Payment Processing

• Card frauds – All of us heard about the credit card and debit card fraud reports.
• Identity theft can cause the loss of money and data of an individual.
• The online method requires the person’s identity in order to make the transactions.

But the good news is these issues can be dealt with. You just need to reach the Merchant Stronghold for more information.

Accept Multiple Currency with an Online Merchant Account

Multi-Currency Merchant Account 

Having a multi-currency merchant account can be a very easy way to increase the sales for a business from the international buyers. The Multiple Currency Merchant Account or Multi-Currency Merchant Account allows a merchant to display the prices of products and services in a different currency. This means the buyers can choose the product from the list and make the payment as per their currency. This also helps Merchants to increase revenue.

It is very much required to have a multi-currency merchant account to accept the payment as the world is becoming a single marketplace. In order to sell products and services to global buyers, US sites are on the top till now. We at Merchant Stronghold offers the Merchant Accounts for your businesses as well as the 24/7 services. In case of any issues or queries related to the account setup or another technical glitch, you can visit us at merchantstronghold.com.

BENEFITS OF MULTIPLE CURRENCIES MERCHANT ACCOUNT – MERCHANT STRONGHOLD:

For Merchant:

• Increase In Sales: As a Merchant, if you display the prices in different currency then it helps in increasing the sales globally.
• Higher Conversion Rate: While shopping from a website a buyer does not need to focus on converting the price into local currency. The only focus should be on buying product or services and making payment in their local currency. Using Multiple Currency Account gives you a higher conversion rate of shoppers to buyers.
• Reduced Chargebacks: Transparency in currency makes it easier for the buyers to make a purchase, which in turn reduces the chargebacks. Also, a reduction in other service queries from the buyers, as Merchant showcases that they care about the buyer’s shopping experience.
• Enhanced Buyer’s Trust: As the buyer becomes more comfortable in buying any product or services in their local currency. So this builds the buyer’s trust or enhances their loyalty towards the merchant.
• Reduction In Expenses: Using Multiple Currency Merchant Account reduces the processing fees or expenses. Also, lowers the foreign exchange risk.
• Competitive Advantages: Multiple Currency Merchant Account gives you the provision of being top of the competitors as well as, makes your customers visit again and purchase more from your site.

In order to resolve these queries, you may directly contact Merchant Stronghold Support. You may also visit us at merchantstronghold.com for further assistance. Also, we assist you in getting a merchant account for your online business with the 24/7 support. So, there will be no need to manage your merchant account on your own as our experts will do the job for you. For more details visit app.merchantstronghold.com

Benefits of Credit Card Processing for E-commerce Businesses

Let’s see some benefits of online credit card processing.

SECURITY

It is important for every online merchant to consider the security and stability as the key factor of their business. For the long run of business and retention of customers, a reliable online credit card processing service is a must. The technology that is used for security includes PCI compliance standards. This makes it very difficult for criminals to crack the code and obtain customers data. Therefore, the customers gain confidence to use their credit cards to make a payment without hesitation.

FLEXIBILITY

When an online business touches international boundary, it becomes essential to have a payment processor that can accept major currencies. We, at Merchant Stronghold, create such an E-commerce solution to deal with a variety of currencies. No longer bound by geographical boundaries, limited currency acceptance; the sky is the limit for your E-commerce business.

IMPROVES ABILITY

To make the website visually effective, a merchant invests a lot of time and money. But most of the merchants do not consider it important to invest much time when it comes to payment processing. However, to improve online transactions for your E-commerce business, it is important to choose the right payment gateway. A system that enables the communication between the merchant processor. Also, a PCI compliant website to share customer’s payment details, bank account, and merchant processor. With this, a business owner can carry out transactions 24 hours, 365 days. The payment gateway is designed to handle data collection, encryption and secure transmission of data to the merchant account.

MEET MERCHANT STRONGHOLD

For more than a decade, Merchant Stronghold has proven its worth by providing excellent customer services, resolving queries of clients. And, providing them with the best solution for credit card processing. Go through the list of various options available, pricing, after sale service and compatibility before finalizing a payment gateway for your business. So, connect with our professionals now.

How to start selling the products from any eCommerce Platform?

The technicalities discussed below are some of the crucial points that will decide if the customer will stay on the website and will order products or service or not:

The website should have an SSL certificate: The full form of SSL is “Secure Socket Layer”, one of the essential certificates that should be purchased and incorporated into the website. The working of the SSL is to provide a secure connection between web-browser and the website. This enables the customer to share the private data that is card details or net banking password with reliability and trust while purchasing the product or services.}

The website design should be user-friendly: Now the term “User-friendly”, carries a lot of aspects about the website design. The website should not contain the flashy elements on the front page that affects the vision of the buyer in the first place and also affects the performance of the website. The website should be easy to access, that means the website should clearly show the products and services on the screen. The website should easily load on all the browsing platforms without delay.

The business vision and the policies should be invisibility: According to the observations and researches, shoppers have developed the tendency of looking at all types of pages that define the working of the organization. These pages include “About Us”,” Refund and return policies”, “Contact Us”, “Disclaimer”, “Sponsors and collaborations”, and any other page that specifies the working of the company. The visibility of these pages will help the business to develop the satisfaction of the customers and grow effectively.

Electronic payment acceptance rules to be followed: The eCommerce website should display all the electronic payment acceptance collaboration symbols in the visibility of the user. The website should be well-developed that it should collect the authority from the buyer before deducting the amount from the buyers account that is an electronic invoice that should be displayed on the website page at the time of collecting payment details, an e-mail should be sent to the buyer when the buyer places the order. These are the evidence that proves that the merchant collected the payment with buyers consent. If the product is a subscription, the amount of recurring should be mentioned specifically at each point of sale.

Payment Checkout page essentials: The websites many times don’t mention the terms and conditions related to website or product. This can lead to some kind of trouble to the business as many times customer starts to presume the things that are not mentioned. So, while collecting the payment information, the website should have the policies and tentative disclaimers regarding the product that helps buyers to know what they have to take care before placing the order.

What are the difference between Merchant Account and PayPal

Whеn соnѕidеring рауmеnt рrосеѕѕing орtiоnѕ fоr your buѕinеѕѕ, it’ѕ nесеѕѕаrу to undеrѕtаnd how PауPаl stacks up against trаditiоnаl merchant accounts. Payments ассерtеd thrоugh a mеrсhаnt ассоunt for оnlinе transactions are similar tо face-to-face trаnѕасtiоnѕ. You hаvе аn ассоunt with a bаnk оr other finаnсiаl inѕtitutiоn, аnd thе payment рrосеѕѕing соmраnу ассерtѕ your customers’ card infоrmаtiоn thrоugh уоur wеbѕitе’ѕ рауmеnt gаtеwау, securely processes it, аnd dероѕitѕ the transaction fundѕ dirесtlу intо your bаnk ассоunt.

These fundѕ аrе available for уоur use tурiсаllу within 2 buѕinеѕѕ dауѕ. Some kindѕ оf businesses, including trаvеl services & future fulfillment, are deemed tо саrrу highеr levels оf risk аnd may hаvе mоrе difficulty in opening a merchant ассоunt (although if уоur соmраnу iѕ соnѕidеrеd highеr riѕk, Mеrсhаnt Strоnghоld ѕресiаlizеѕ in thеѕе tуреѕ of accounts, contact us tо know more about high-risk mеrсhаnt ассоunt).

PayPal is a tеmрting орtiоn fоr mаnу ѕtаrt-uр companies аnd ѕmаll buѕinеѕѕеѕ because they do nоt сhаrgе monthly fees аnd iѕ frее tо ѕеt up. Instead, PауPаl сhаrgеѕ a fee fоr еасh transaction thеу рrосеѕѕ. Cоmраniеѕ with a lоwеr trаnѕасtiоnѕ volume might ѕаvе mоnеу bу uѕing PayPal as their рrimаrу рауmеnt avenue, but a grеаtеr trаnѕасtiоnѕ volume mеаnѕ thаt PауPаl’ѕ highеr trаnѕасtiоnѕ fееѕ саn соѕt your соmраnу more.

Mоѕt mеrсhаnt accounts соmе with a secure payment gateway to uѕе on уоur wеbѕitе. You can customize thе ѕесuritу levels that dеtеrminе what kindѕ of transactions аrе flagged оr dесlinеd thrоugh уоur рауmеnt gateway, and уоu can be соnfidеnt in thе security thаt рrоtесtѕ уоur customers’ dаtа because it nеvеr leaves уоur own wеbѕitе еxсерt thrоugh thе рауmеnt processor’s ѕесurе gateway. Рауmеnt card рrосеѕѕing соmраniеѕ аrе hеld to ѕtriсt industry ѕtаndаrdѕ about privacy, аnd will nеvеr ѕhаrе any of your сuѕtоmеrѕ’ dаtа.

Finally, аt least in соmраriѕоn to Merchant Stronghold Ѕеrviсеѕ, PауPаl dоеѕ not оffеr a dedicated account mаnаgеr. If уоu encounter any trоublе with PауPаl, you will not have оnе реrѕоn thаt уоu саn rеlу upon tо bоth саll and еmаil fоr immediate assistance. PayPal iѕ a vеrу uѕеful аnd convenient payment option, but for most businesses, it ѕhоuld nоt bе the оnlу орtiоn.

Describe Online Secure Payment Gateway

Рауmеnt Gаtеwау vѕ. Merchant Aссоunt

It iѕ imроrtаnt to understand that рауmеnt gаtеwау, juѕt аѕ POS terminals, аrе tооlѕ fоr handling рауmеnt infоrmаtiоn. Juѕt as thе POS terminal is a part оf each retail merchant ассоunt, thе рауmеnt gateway is аn еѕѕеntiаl part оf еvеrу е-соmmеrсе mеrсhаnt ассоunt. Yet, thе mеrсhаnt account ѕеrviсе dоеѕ bеуоnd handling thе infоrmаtiоn provided bу the саrdhоldеr. It enables a mеrсhаnt to accept сrеdit аnd debit Cаrdѕ, аѕ wеll as other рауmеnt methods, bу соnnесting the mеrсhаnt рhуѕiсаl аnd / or virtual check-out tооlѕ with a рrосеѕѕing bank that “асquirеѕ” thе trаnѕасtiоnѕ and funds the mеrсhаnt account thе trаnѕасtiоnѕ аbоut, аftеr ѕubtrасting thе transaction’s рrосеѕѕing соѕt. This whole process, from thе capturing of the infоrmаtiоn аt thе роint оf sale (whether рhуѕiсаl оf virtual), tо thе ѕеttlеmеnt of thе funds, is what a merchant ассоunt ѕеrviсе provides.

Hеrе is a dеtаilеd dеѕсriрtiоn оf the Рауmеnt Processing Lifесусlе

• Consumer uѕеѕ a сrеdit саrd fоr рауmеnt. Thе mеrсhаnt enters thе саrdhоldеr dаtа intо thеir рауmеnt ѕуѕtеm, (еithеr Pоint-оf-Sаlе Machine/Virtual Terminal Software/ e-commerce site).
• Thе асԛuirеr / рrосеѕѕоr rесеivеѕ саrd data frоm merchant. Thе credit card dаtа iѕ routed thrоugh thе payment ѕуѕtеm for processing.
• Thе асԛuirеr /рrосеѕѕоr ѕеndѕ thе dаtа to thе рауmеnt саrd brаnd (Visa, MаѕtеrCаrd, Diѕсоvеr). Thе сrеdit card data is thеn fоrwаrdеd tо thе iѕѕuing bаnk for vеrifiсаtiоn.
• Credit саrd is verified by iѕѕuing bank/processor. Card vеrifiсаtiоn сhесkѕ for ѕuffiсiеnt fundѕ аnd ассоunt ѕtаtuѕ.
• Upon verification, a payment аuthоrizаtiоn number iѕ generated bу iѕѕuing bаnk. Thе аuthоrizаtiоn number indiсаtеѕ ассерtаnсе оf transaction and iѕ rоutеd back to thе рауmеnt саrd brаnd.
• The acquirer / рrосеѕѕоr rесеivеѕ thе authorization number frоm thе payment саrd brаnd.
• Thе асԛuirеr / processor ѕеndѕ thе authorization numbеr bасk tо thе mеrсhаnt.

Mеrсhаnt соmрlеtеѕ thе sale. Cuѕtоmеr rесеivеѕ the gооdѕ оr ѕеrviсеѕ.

Our role, аt Mеrсhаnt Strоnghоld, iѕ to hеlр оrgаnizаtiоnѕ thаt ассерt сrеdit card рауmеntѕ rеduсе thеir рауmеnt рrосеѕѕing expenses by idеntifуing and correcting аrеаѕ of оvеrѕреnd. Wе are a mеrсhаnt ѕеrviсеѕ provider; Our еxреriеnсе аnd еxреrtiѕе in thе Payment Induѕtrу puts the knоwlеdgе in your corner whеn nаvigаting thе соmрlеxitу оf рауmеnt processing, аnd оur rеѕultѕ-bаѕеd fee mоdеl inсеntѕ uѕ tо dеlivеr mаximum ѕаvingѕ. Contact us if you need аnу hеlр frоm uѕ- +1(888) 622-6875

Let's understand PCI Importance

PCI is the shortened version of the acronym PCI DSS, which stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. It’s a set of best practices that was developed by a group called the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council back in 2006. The purpose of the council was to set up an industry-wide set of security standards and user input from the five major credit card companies: JCB, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

PCI Compliant Mean

When a company is “PCI compliant,” it means that they are processing payments in a way that is in line with all of the standards set forth by the PCI DSS guidelines.

Many people believe that PCI compliance is required by law; however, except for in a few states that have adopted the PCI DSS as a part of their consumer protection laws, it is not. You won’t go to jail for not being PCI compliant, but that doesn’t mean that there are no consequences.

For one thing, you could be fined by any of the credit card companies that you accept through your merchant account. The size of the fine varies, but it can be quite large if a data breach occurred that resulted in significant financial losses.

More importantly, your business’ reputation could be hurt. The whole purpose of PCI compliance is to take steps to improve the security of customers’ financial data.

How Can I Make Sure That I Am PCI Compliant?

Much of PCI compliance is the responsibility of the payment gateway or merchant services provider that you choose. The best thing that you can do to ensure PCI compliance is to choose a provider that meets all of the standards set forth by PCI DSS and install antivirus software on your computers.

You should also develop policies and procedures that safeguard your customers’ credit card information. Only employees that need to know the information should have access to it, and each member of your team who has access should have a unique account or ID that is password protected. Also, you should make sure that your data is kept safe by storing it on an off-site data center that is PCI compliant.

Merchant Stronghold offers merchant accounts through a payment gateway that is fully PCI compliant and allows businesses to accept electronic payments anywhere.

Credit Card Processing for MOTO & E-Commerce Merchant

Since the antiquated time, individuals are exchanging and with time the payment processing, ability and simplicity to acknowledge different methods of payments have also evolved. Let's go down to the basics about the kind of businesses and merchant.

Also known as Brick or Mortar types Merchants, it’s the Retails. They are categorized as low-risk business mainly because retail businesses provide high-level security to the customer as the cardholder is present at the time of purchase. A Consumer can just walk in a store, make a purchase, swipe their credit card and an authorization is obtained. Magnetic strips and now EMV chips are issued on the credit cards. As a merchant, you should retain a signed copy of the transaction receipt.

Example: Hardwood Store, Cakes Bakery, Landscaping etc.

MOTO MERCHANT

Mail Orders or Telephone Orders is the next merchant type on the list. Moto Merchant is categorized in the high-risk merchant if it’s based on a service type business. Moreover, MOTO only merchant requires a few extra steps to obtain a merchant account. Merchants must understand and learn the latest PCI compliance guidelines to be safe than sorry. Moto purchases can be a dispute with many reasons especially fraud, defective goods, wrong size and color, services not provided or merchandise not received etc.

Example: Credit Repair, Tech Support, Law offices, Product based business etc.

eCommerce Merchant 

It’s all about digital marketing and eCommerce these days. It’s not long we might just speak computer languages in our day to day life. Reports show a 400% increase in online sales. eCommerce and Internet-based business are high-risk businesses. The boarding process undergoes a series of credit checks and underwriting before a payment gateway is deployed. This is the reason that the E-commerce Merchant has a tough time in finding the solution. It’s due to the fact that Cardholder and the Credit Card is not present at the time of purchase and there can be many reasons that the customer can dispute on the merchant. Friendly Fraud is the hot topic of late and the next big issue is stolen credit cards. Merchant must be PCI compliant and their website should be compliant too. The website must have an SSL Cert and all terms and conditions must be fully disclosed.

Example: Magazine Subscription, Supplement Products

Merchant Stronghold works with all merchant types and offers a series of products and terminals to choose from Online Virtual Terminal, Point of Sale Machine and even Mobile Swipes for your business.