Online merchant services: the best and how they work

Modern business success has shifted from solely relying on credit cards to expanding online merchant services or online payment gateway, which, in addition to making it easier for customers to make purchases, will allow you to grow financially.

What is a merchant account?

An online merchant account is a type of banking account that allows you to send and receive money from transactions using various payment methods.

Banks provide sellers with numerous payment processing options, and sellers simply need to authorize the ones that work best for them before beginning their online sales.

Some businesses even provide access to local payment methods, which increases conversion and, as a result, online sales. In addition to traditional electronic sales via POS systems, there are other options that fall under the category of online merchant services and are critical to meeting your customers' purchasing needs.

How do merchant services work?

Merchant services are the services provided by a merchant in order to accept and process payments during the sales process.

In general, online credit card processing works as follows:

The customer enters their credit card information, which is then routed through a processing terminal, which verifies the payment information.

The data is processed by the equipment, which then issues an approval or rejection order.

If the payment was approved, the transaction will be completed via the terminal used.

Finally, once the transaction is approved, the bank assesses a service fee and transfers the remaining funds to the merchant's bank account.

What merchant service products to use?

Keep in mind that the ease with which you accept payments is determined by the decisions you make in selecting the most appropriate payment methods for your business. The following are the most common merchant services available on the market.

Among the various types of merchant services are:

• Credit and debit card payment processing.

• Check guarantee and check conversion services.

• Automated clearing house check drafting and payment services.

• A gift card and loyalty programs.

• Payment gateways.

• Merchant cash advances.

• Online transaction processing.

• Point of sale systems.

• Electronic benefit transfer programs.

Following that, we'll go over the two most important: credit cards and e-commerce or online transaction processing:

Credit cards

Credit card payments can be made in person or online. If the merchant has a physical store, they will most likely use point-of-sale equipment to accept card payments.

Some payment platforms even provide their own card readers or special conditions that serve as a foundation for online credit card transactions, allowing for transactions via smartphone.

2. E-commerce

E-commerce is the sale of goods via digital channels such as websites and mobile applications. This procedure includes online retail and electronic transactions, both of which enable the purchase of goods or services without the need to visit a physical store.

Other types of e-commerce include online auctions, the use of virtual banking, the purchase and booking of airline tickets, payments for services, and business-to-business (B2B) transactions.

Another subcategory divides online sales into:

Sale of physical products: Tangible goods such as food, clothing, and appliances are sold.

Sale of digital products: Digital product sales include downloadable items such as courses or books, audiovisual content, NFTs, and cryptocurrencies.

Among the most notable benefits of e-commerce are the following: 

Unlimited reach: Unlike a physical store, an online store can reach places you never thought possible. You can sell your products all over the country and beyond thanks to efficient shipping services.

Work 24 hours a day: Another advantage is the flexibility of the opening hours, as automation of the purchasing process allows customers to make a purchase at any time of day, without regard to hours.

Lower costs: The operating costs of an e-commerce site are significantly lower in terms of employees and physical space – allowing many entrepreneurs to start an online business with little to no resources.

Online payment processing for internet businesses or: Payment gateways

These are online portals that connect a bank account to a processor, from which various types of transactions, such as credit card payments and digital wallets, can be carried out.

To be efficient in terms of sales, an electronic business requires the best online payment gateway to assure its customers that their personal and sales data will be secure.

Payment gateways are classified into three types based on the nature of the transaction:

Redirect gateways: These redirect the customer to a secure payment page. These are ideal for small businesses and allow for the use of promotions.

Buy on the site and pay on another site: The customer selects their products on the merchant's website and is only redirected when payment is made.

Buy and pay on the site: Large merchants use this system, with both the item selection and payment processes taking place on the seller's own page, using the e-commerce site's own resources.

What is the best merchant service for an e-commerce site?

There is no such thing as the "best" merchant service; each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and the decision you make will be based on your needs as a merchant.

To make your decision, you must consider certain criteria that will guide you when selecting the appropriate payment channels. Among these criteria are:

Acceptable payment methods include: Determine whether you will accept online or in-person payments. Will credit and debit cards be accepted? Will you accept alternative forms of payment?

The following hardware and software are required: Will you require a POS system and, in addition, will you require the assistance of a payment gateway?

Cost structure: What fees must you pay for merchant services? What effect do these fees have on the price of your products?

Answering these questions thoroughly will provide you with a clearer picture of what you truly require in terms of payment services.