Choosing the best credit card processing solution for your business is not only essential, it is also crucial that you choose the best solution for your type of business. There are subtle but fundamental differences between the free credit card readers from brands like Square or PayPal to the more robust readers hardware with the needed extra features. It also depends if you are looking for the best Credit Card Processing for a busy restaurant or an online business. Here are a few FAQ’s that will help you with your quest.

Credit Card Processing FAQ’s

Q: What are the main considerations one has to take into account when choosing a payment processor?

A: The first thing to consider when choosing a payment processor for your business, is which one offers the services best suited to your business. Cost is also a big consideration and you would need to do a thorough investigation into what you will have to pay, so that there are no surprises.

Q: What are the standard charges that I can expect to pay a payment processing company?

A: Apart from the initial set up and installation fees, you can expect to pay a monthly fee for this service, which will depend on which industry you are in, and the volume of payments you will be receiving. Other charges are interest and flat rates per transaction, which should be competitive for the industry, PCI compliance fees, chargeback fees and monthly sales processing limits.

Q: Will I need to sign a contract? What if I decide to cancel if I am not happy with their services?

A: Some payment processing companies do insist that you sign a contract which could be for up to 3 years. If you are a startup or small business, it might be best to find a company that charges per month without a contract. Signing a lengthy contract could be a problem if something should happen to your business and you close down, you would still be liable for a cancellation fee.

Q: How do I make sure that I am covered for all types of payments online and in my store?

A: You will have to make sure that the card payment processor you choose will allow you to receive payments from all major debit and credit cards and the processing terminal must have EMV capabilities which will also allow you to receive chip cards with greater fraud protection. Near Field Communication Technology is also important if you want to receive payments via digital wallets using smart phones or mobile devices.

Q: What happens with future updates on new technology?

A: Most credit card processing companies offer free updates that should keep you up to date with new technology.

Q: What if I only have a brick and mortar retail store and don’t work online?

A: With brick and mortar retail stores, it is important to have a good Point of Sale system that can be connected to mobile credit card readers and have the ability to accept all types of card payments.