Want to learn how to accept credit card payments from your customers online?
Once you know how to accept credit card payments on the Internet, it can become one of the easiest elements of your business to manage because it requires so little of your time for processing and management.
This allows you to be able to receive payment from customers for a variety of transactions, such as ordering goods and services, creating service subscriptions, purchasing tickets, making reservations and a bunch of other opportunities.
Different options for receiving Internet orders for your business
- Payment processing software. Look for software that will program how to accept credit card details directly on your site. These programs offer simple automated payments, can automatically clear all credit card purchases, and direct the proceeds into your account at the bank. These types of plans top-notch security, but are also significantly more expensive. In addition to the one-time cost of installation, there are merchant fees each month, as well as transaction fees on each purchase charged by the bank.
- Third-party website. Creating a link that guides Internet customers to a third-party website that specializes in credit card processing for payments is an option — one very popular example of this is www.paypal.com. The seller is able to register on this kind of site as a recipient of funds and the credit card payments are processed by the third-party for a nominal fee charged to the seller.
- Email. Some smaller businesses will require their customers to send their orders and credit card numbers to them through email in order to conduct the business transaction by hand. However, this lower-tech option is generally not popular with customers because it offers them almost no security for their private credit card information.
Clarify your policy on the return of purchased goods, the steps for customers to take if they wish to return a purchase and any specific costs that are related to returns.
Describe in detail your policies regarding shipping for customers. Do not forget that some customers may be located overseas with additional shipping, importation and other costs.
Security
The safety of the transactions are unparalleled and customers definitely appreciate the convenience and security.
The most widely used technology for maintaining the security of online information and credit card transactions over the Internet is known as SSL (or Secure-Sockets- Layer). The SSL technology is so popular because it can be utilized in nearly every browser that people use to search the Internet and make purchases.
How to tell if a website is secure
The most effective way to tell whether a website transaction is being protected through SSL is to check out the lower right portion of the web page and look for the image of a tiny padlock. This image simply tells the customer that confidential personal and financial information will not be vulnerable during the completion of the transaction.
Aside from the small image of the padlock, there is virtually nothing else to indicate that the security element of SSL is in place, except for the prefix of the website starting with the letters https://, instead of the standard http://.
Did you know?
There is also an element known as a “digital certificate” which will be required in order for your website to use SSL optimally. These certificates come from a reliable outside entity known as a “Certificate Authority.” They are responsible for verifying that your website is actually what it purports to be before you can do business with it.
Seven important decisions you must make before starting an online business
- Decide what sorts of goods or services you wish to sell. Remember that there are products, services, memberships, publications and all sorts of other items — be certain it is a good fit for the Internet business world.
- How will you present your business and product. In the online format, you can present your goods and services in a wide variety of ways, including using photos, videos, drawings or other types of descriptions. Many websites make use of a digital shopping cart to allow customers to select their desired items and make purchasing decisions before paying.
- What are your greatest options for providing reliable and secure online service. Determine to what degree your business will be depending on the security choices that you make and how much money you will be investing in your online business presence.
- Decide on how you will approach the filling of orders and inventory. You can either keep the items or services that you sell on hand or rely on another business entity to fill the orders for you. Remember that unfilled orders – especially when they have been paid for – can damage the reputation of your business .
- Decide how much you will charge and why. Note that the prices may be flexible, based on whether you are selling something in person or online. There can often be room for some sort of discounted price for Internet customers. Remember to pay attention to taxes and shipping costs.
- Decide on your method for payment. Business owners may elect to receive payment with credit cards, money orders, checks or cash. Credit cards are usually the most popular choice for online business because payment is immediate.
Finding additional information for starting an online business presence
Getting started with a business website can be complicated, so there may be additional questions and challenges that you are unable to answer all on your own. Thankfully, there are professionals who are extremely well-versed in all of the parts of an online business. You may also be interested in a business credit card to help finance your online business.
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