Reviewing the Best Merchant Account Providers

When an online business owner is ready to make the move to add credit card processing services to their Internet site, they may have no experience to draw on. And often this can lead to a solution that isn’t in their best interest.

This is because they are tempted to place their merchant services with their bank. They are looking for some entity they know and are familiar with. It’s where they opened their business checking account, it’s the place that may have loaned them money to start their business, and they probably get some sound financial planning advice.

But here’s the rub when it comes to using a bank as an online credit card processing source – they are what many call a “jack of all trades and master of none.” Banks handle savings accounts, checking accounts, money market accounts, mortgages, home equity loans, investments, etc.

And while their merchant account capabilities are probably right up there, what they can’t offer is the same level of service, flexibility and cost effectiveness as companies that do nothing but credit card processing.

Some businesses have even been told by their bank that they are “too small” for merchant services. However, to a credit card processor, there are very few business entities operating online that can’t realize the benefits of being able to process credit cards.

The end result is that banks are not the best option for credit card processing. Just because they offer those services doesn’t mean they are the best place to get them for your online business.

A noteworthy company that is a leader in the credit card processing industry is Charge.com (www.charge.com). For well over a decade Charge.com has been helping businesses with their credit card processing needs. With that level of experience the company has been able to offers its services to businesses large and small, from bricks & mortar to 100% Internet-based companies. They can do this better than most other companies, even your local bank, because it is all they do.

Along the way Charge.com has shown that superior service leads to customer retention, and that has translated into a streamlined (and free) application process that has most businesses able to accept credit cards within 24 hours.

And their rates are among the most competitive in the business.

However, something that also speaks volumes about Charge.com’s reputation is that the company has been honored by Apple, Magellan, AOL and Excite for its business practices. It has also drawn positive reviews from NBC Internet, Yahoo and netcommerce.

Don’t worry about offending your bank by not using them for your merchant services. With the additional sales and profits that will come your way from doing business with a company like Charge.com, you’re going to need a place that can advise you on what to do with your financial windfall.