Ecommerce Information



LifeHealthInsurance.ca

7 Questions to Ask A Potential Internet Merchant Account Provider


Recently I went looking for an online merchant account, with disastrous results. I made the mistake of taking information at face value and relying on the ecommerce merchant account provider's good reputation in other areas.

Fortunately, you can avoid the same experience I had by asking the right questions of a potential ecommerce ecommerce merchant account provider.

Merchant Account Provider Questions

Understanding the answers to these questions before signing an application or agreement will help make for a solid partnership between you and your merchant account vendor:

1. As a merchant, can I accept credit cards both online and offline?

Do I need to get separate authorizations or permissions when setting up my ecommerce merchant account for different types of transaction (Internet, retail, phone orders, etc.)?

What other merchant fees are involved if I accept both online and offline credit card charges?

2. Can I accept ecommerce payments using methods other than Mastercard and Visa (Discover, American Express, Diner's Club, online checks, debit cards, etc.)?

If so, what are the fees and do I need to do anything to "activate" those ecommerce payment methods?

3. What are the different discount rates and fees for different types of ecommerce and other charges through the merchant account (Internet, in person, telephone, mail, etc.)?

4. What are the other fees related to this ecommerce merchant account - yearly, set-up, application, monthly minimum, statement, support, cancellation, discount, per-transaction, gateway access fees, card reject fee?

Are these subject to change?

Are there any other fees involved in order to get my ecommerce merchant account functional?

5. Do I process ecommerce charges manually or automatically?

If manually, is it possible to get automatic merchant account processing?

If so, do you provide a secure online payment gateway for my ecommerce merchant account?

How do I get up and running and what extra charges will I pay to do so?

6. What other software and services do I need to become fully ecommerce enabled online (such as secure gateway provider, etc.)?

Do you have a list of these additional ecommerce providers that are compatible with my ecommerce merchant account?

7. Do I need additional hardware or software not previously mentioned?

If so, what is the cost and how do I get this equipment?

Many of these questions are different ways of getting at the same issue -- you want to know every component, every function, every fee, and every charge association with making your ecommerce merchant account work effectively for your business.

If you ask these questions while establishing a mutually comfortable relationship with your ecommerce merchant account provider from the start, you can avoid "traps" and lay the groundwork for a long, solid partnership.

About the Author

Bobette Kyle draws upon 12+ years of Marketing/Executive experience, Marketing MBA, and online marketing research in her writing. Bobette is proprietor of the Web Site Marketing Plan Network ( WebSiteMarketingPlan.com ). Http://http://www.Take-Payments-Online.com, one of the network sites, explains different aspects of ecommerce.

© 2003-2004 Bobette Kyle. All Rights Reserved.


MORE RESOURCES:

Groupon Combines Social Networking and Ecommerce with a Local Twist
Auctionbytes
The integration of social networking and viral marketing with ecommerce is part of a new trend called "social commerce," Mason explains. ...



FCC's broadband plan may help ecommerce development
EDL Consulting
According to Internet Retailer, the increased availability of high-speed internet will aid ecommerce on two fronts. As small businesses in rural areas begin ...

and more »


Tips for Improving Conversion Rates in Your eCommerce Store
Drop Ship (press release) (blog)
Driving traffic to your ecommerce site is important, of course, but improving your conversion rates and turning more of those visitors into paying customers ...



Chase Paymentech and Kount Join Forces to Combat Fraud for eCommerce Merchants
MarketWatch (press release)
DALLAS & BOISE, Idaho, Mar 15, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Chase Paymentech, a leading merchant acquirer and payment processor, and Kount, a Boise, Idaho-based ...

and more »


MoBee revolutionizes ecommerce
EDL Consulting
MoBee's new application could allow them to take advantage of ecommerce without establishing an extensive web presence.



Magento and PayPal Expand Relationship to Drive e-Commerce Innovation
MarketWatch (press release)
Magento is one of the fastest-growing global e-commerce solutions. Its open source product gives merchants complete flexibility and control over the user ...
Magento Integrates PayPal into Ecommerce Selling SolutionAuctionbytes

all 26 news articles »


ZippyCart

OpenSky Making Progress With Relationship Based Ecommerce Model
ZippyCart
By the ZippyCart Ecommerce Software Content Team There are many variations for the basic ecommerce model of offering up products or services for people to ...



Stage Stores Announces Executive Promotion; Begins Development of eCommerce ...
MarketWatch (press release)
The promotion is being made in conjunction with Hunter assuming responsibility for the Company's eCommerce initiative, which is in the early stage of ...
US: Hunter helms Stage Stores e-commerce programmejust-style.com
Stage Stores unveils new eCommerce programBizjournals.com

all 21 news articles »


Google mixes cloud computing with ecommerce
EDL Consulting
Google's improved offerings to businesses come just before Microsoft is set to launch a cloud-based version of Microsoft Office, according to the E-Commerce ...

and more »


What Do You Buy Online?: Ecommerce Trends vs. In Store
Savings.com (blog)
Certainly in the last couple of years e-commerce has seen significant growth--in fact, in 2009 online sales were 6% of total retail vs. 3.2% in 2007. ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2006