Accepting Credit Card Payments Online |
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| Merchant or Bureau Approved Trader |
One of the major benefits of the Internet and Ecommerce is the ability to receive instant payment for goods or services by enabling customers worldwide to pay online using a credit card. In order to achieve this, an online merchant or trader must satisfy all of the following conditions:
- Has an approved Merchant or Bureau Account with an appropriate Credit Card Transaction or Reconciliation organisation.
- Has an Ecommerce enabled Website in the form of an online Catalogue and Shopping Cart.
- Has access to Secure Server facilities.
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| Merchant Status |
- An authorised trader with one of the leading Merchant Service organisations.
- Approved to process credit card payments from customers in their own right.
- Offline traders & retail operations with existing credit card payment facilities for their customers, are probably classified as having Merchant Status.
- Should be able to transfer facility to online trading without any difficulties.
- Slightly higher charges may apply.
- Possible problem areas:
- Online shops never shut. They are open 7-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year.
- Unless card processing is fully automated - probably expensive and complicated - may require employing staff on a 24-hour/365-day basis to process payments.
- Transaction (Bureau) Services (see below) may prove to be more convenient, reliable and secure.
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| Bureau Status |
- An authorised trader with one of the Transaction (Bureau) Service orgainisations.
- The Transaction Bureau instantly check credit card validity at time of purchase.
- Convenient, secure and reliable processing of online credit card payments.
- Online status check helps prevent fraudulent use.
- Virtually instant authorisation and validation speeds up order processing.
- Provides 24-hour, 365-day, worldwide cover.
- Possible problem areas:
- Slightly more expensive than normal Merchant Status.
- Owing to interfacing complexities, it may be prudent to select an Ecommerce Shopping program BEFORE deciding which Bureau Service to use.
- Weblink4u can provide guidance in relation to suitable Ecommerce & Bureau solutions.
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