Start accepting credit cards in your business, and grow your revenues 30 to 70%. MyWebTeks Host has teamed up with Cardservice International, the world’s premiere transaction services company, to provide you an exceptional value in a merchant account. Fast approval and set-up lets you quickly start making more revenue.

Please Note: All support or sales questions should be directed to Cardservice International by e-mail at info@onlinecsi.com or phone toll free at 888-870-7623.

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The Value of Credit Card Acceptance in an Online Marketplace

The shift in purchasing patterns of consumers is in the direction of simplicity. Many buyers are turning to the Internet to buy goods and services because it is so easy to do so. Products are ordered online, shipped quickly, and delivered right to the buyer’s door. Fast, easy, convenient. Merchants are driving customers to their websites to avoid overhead expenses and geographical limitations imposed by traditional brick and mortar facilities.

Without question, credit cards are the currency of the Internet. The majority of online purchases are paid via credit cards as they provides a secure, fast and easy to use method of payment for both the merchant and the consumer. For this reason, the acceptance of credit cards is crucial for success in the booming Internet commerce market. The time delay associated with traditional payment methods is a major deterrent to online purchases. The time it takes to process an order with a check payment (receive from the buyer, deposit it, wait for clearance) adds to the time it takes to deliver the product to the customer. It reduces incentive to purchase online. Credit cards allow consumers to make purchases online with instant approval, while providing a high level of security for the buyer.

Advantages

Consumers increasingly prefer the no hassle, no pressure, convenience of shopping online. For those who are still leery of making an actual purchase online without "kicking the tires", they can still conduct the necessary research and compile information on various products online.. Businesses who realize the thinking process their customers go through are able to tailor their websites to meet the needs of their customers and "upsell" through subtle persuasion and direction rather than a sales staff. With cookies and other tracking tools, businesses can follow the course of a customer’s visit to their site and adjust the site so that the products they feel are most important and want showcased, are placed appropriately.

How to establish a merchant account?

Establishing a merchant account can be a relatively simple process. Because of the risk associated with non-retail businesses, many local banks are cautious about issuing accounts to them. However, there are independent companies such as Cardservice International that are willing to extend credit to these higher risk organizations (start-ups, Internet-based businesses, mail-order businesses, etc.). The less risk a business is to the credit card issuer, the easier the process will be.

With the dramatic increase of online purchasing, it is essential for merchants to offer credit payment options to their customers in order to remain competitive in the new virtual marketplace.

Merchant Account Comparison

Online Transaction Process

The following information describes the step-by-step process of a credit card transaction taking place on the Internet:

Step 1
When a consumer decides to buy a product or service online, using common browsers such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, the secure order form of the merchant prompts the consumer to enter their name, address, ship-to, credit card information and any other pertinent information required to process the sale.

Step2
Upon completion of the order form by the consumer, the "Submit" or "Pay Now" button is clicked to begin the payment process.

Step 3
The button is linked to the LinkPoint Secure Payment Gateway which routes and obtains the credit card authorization or declination code. The credit card is checked against the address verification system (AVS) to authenticate the cardholder.

An authorization reduces the available credit limit, but does not actually place a charge on the statement of the cardholder or move money to the merchant.

In line with bankcard association rules, the merchant is not allowed to settle transactions until the ordered goods can be shipped, therefore a time lag may exist between the authorization and the settlement process.

Transaction Descriptions

Sale:
Acceptance of the credit card for purchase of a product or service.
Return (Credit): Is issued when the consumer wishes to return a product or service after the transaction has been settled.

Void:
Is issued when the consumer cancels the order the same day, and prior to, the settling of the transactions.

Settlement:
The final step to complete the credit card transaction between the consumer and the merchant. The batch (an accumulation of transactions from the current day) is settled daily as a group. Settlement means that the credit card is charged and the money is moved to the merchant account.

Cardservice International electronically deposits the money into the checking account of the merchant within 48 hours of settlement.

Outstanding rates, very low transaction charges!

Available when you receive your customers credit card number over the Internet, by mail or telephone.

Only 2.35% + $0.25 per transaction for Visa & MasterCard
Only 3.75% + $0.25 per transaction for American Express
$10 monthly statement fee, including 24-hr customer service
$25 monthly Internet secure payment gateway access fee
$199 one time startup for merchant account and secure software to enable online credit card processing, via your PC/Internet browser. Charge this to your Visa or MasterCard!
$15 monthly minimum in transaction fees (combined discount percentage and per transaction fees)

Virtually 100% Approval

Cardservice International has a "virtual acceptance policy" through which, they will approve most every account. There is a select list of business categories that have been deemed "high-risk" and may require additional review. Illegal and other suspect categories as well as merchants with a history of fraud or in collections with other processors have been excluded altogether.