Vision Payment Solutions

Can You Afford to Pass Up Accepting Credit Cards?

180fusion — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:11:02 +0000

Small businesses face a challenge when it comes to accepting credit cards. Most merchant accounts for credit cards have expensive fees. When the percentage of the sales deducted from credit card purchases makes it necessary for small businesses to raise their prices it may seem that credit card processing is more of an expense and hassle than a small business owner needs to deal with on a daily basis.

The truth is that cash is becoming obsolete, checks are questionable and plastic is how the world goes round. Debit cards, credit cards, and bank cards are all common items these days. When fewer people are using cash and are willing to drive to a store that accepts credit cards it could mean a huge loss of business if you do not take credit cards.

Small businesses have a lot of expenses that may seem overwhelming, but accepting credit cards can be a huge benefit. The question is whether the benefit outweighs the expense. When you have a quality merchant account that has reasonable fees, then accepting credit cards is not only smart but cost effective.

The initial expense of accepting credit cards is fairly low, most companies offer a merchant account with a card reading machine upfront. Setup is quick and easy, training employees can be done in about an hour and you are ready to accept credit cards at your small business. Transactions are processed throughout the day, batched at the end of the day and then the cost comes into play.

A percentage of each transaction is tallied, your profit is deposited to your account and the fees are sent to the processing company. There are a few options for this step including a monthly deposit and payment and some processing companies even offer monthly billing so that the fees are not deducted from your initial deposit.

If you are ready to increase your business by accepting credit cards, look into finding a small business merchant account that fits your budget. Vision Payment Solutions is one of the leaders in the payment processing business, with their team of experts, including CEO Eric Hannelius, we can get you a solution that fits your business. Contact us today!

Credit Card Processors Are Vital Points of a Successful Business

180fusion — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:10:56 +0000

Building a successful business takes time and patience but if done correctly can reap great rewards.

In order to be successful in any kind of business, there are a few key points that you need to address. When you keep these things in place, your business can be very successful. Not using them does not mean it will fail, but it will not be as successful as is could be. Sometimes, business owners believe that they can get away with not doing the most simple of things for their customers.

Quality is Always First

No matter what kind of a business you are in, you need to give the best service possible. Always pick quality over quantity or you will always be working hard instead of working smart. There is a world of difference between these two philosophies.

Keep Records

You need to keep records of every transaction. No matter what you do, keep the receipt or written record of some kind so that you will be better prepared when it comes time to deal with financial issues or taxes.

Keep it Simple for the Customer

There should always be a record of every transaction with a customer, and a clear set of expectations from you as well as the customer. Draw up a contract if need be, but make sure all the terms are understood so that you do not end up in a credit mess. Try to accept methods of payment that are easy for you and the customer. This will mean you need a credit card processor. Without a credit card processor, you will not be able to take credit or debit cards at all. You can always take cash as well, but may be taking a risk with checks.

When you keep these simple things in mind and always strive to improve, you will not go wrong. Your product will speak for itself and your customers will always have a pleasant experience and will pass that along to people who are potential customers for you.

Vision Payment Solutions can help you figure out the small things, so you worry about the bigger things. As one of the leaders in electronic planning, president and CEO, Eric Hannelius, has led key players in the payment processing business, he has lead VPS to one of the leading credit card processing businesses out there. Call us at (877) 674-2286 to learn more.

eCommerce Credit Card Processing and the Virtual World

180fusion — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:30:17 +0000

When it comes to business in the virtual world, it is all but impossible to deal strictly in cash. Unless you are selling something online and meeting the buyer in person, there is no way to work with actual cash in hand. This means that to some extent you have to rely on the credit of the people or businesses you deal with. This is why eCommerce credit card processing is so important today.

Payment Options

Since you cannot deal in cash, you have to offer different payment options. Any method you use is going to require some level of trust. Dealing with checks is extremely risky, but once you develop a working relationship with your customer, this may be an option. However, most people have gone to other payment methods. You are better off to do eCommerce credit card processing so that you know the payment has been made and the funds transferred.

Contracts

Contracts are extremely common in the virtual world. While they may seem to be a simple piece of paper, when it comes to nonpayment and legal action a contract can be the very thing that prevents you from losing money you were expecting. Make sure the contract makes the expectations clear, as well as the price and terms for payment. For instance you might use “net 30” which means that payment is due within 30 days.

In the long run, it all boils down to trust. When it comes to business, trust is not easily earned. That is why it makes the most sense to work with eCommerce credit card processing. The terms are already taken care of before payment is processed. Any issues with a lack of funds will be directed to the one using the credit card to make a purchase, rather than falling on you.

Led by the highly knowledgeable Eric Hannelius, Vision Payment Solutions has led the way in payment processing. Find out how we can help you today!

Step Your Game Up With Internet Merchant Accounts from VPS

180fusion — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:11:37 +0000

While accepting credit cards is a great way to increase your revenue as well as improve your cash flow, there are several other benefits to Internet Merchant Accounts from Vision Payments as well.

Improved Automation for your Business

With internet merchant accounts, the sky is the limit in terms of how you can automate your entire payment process online. With online merchant accounts you can quickly automate approval of payments and automatically send email receipts to customers and other departments to process the order. If able, you can also incorporate your payment system into your entire supply chain to automate even more aspects of your order fulfillment process. This can result in reduced labor costs and increased efficiency across your entire company.

Increased Security with Internet Merchant Accounts

Using an online merchant account allows you to securely accept credit cards. No longer are you manually writing down a credit card number from someone who is phoning in an order. With a merchant account online, your customers enter their information and it is stored on a secure server and transmitted securely as well. This can significantly cut down on identity theft. There are laws now which make it illegal to transmit credit card information insecurely so you really do need to keep this in mind when you are handling credit card information. It is best to leave it up to the professionals who handle this type of data everyday. Many of the leading providers of Internet Merchant Accounts offer robust security measures which prevent you from having to store any of your customer’s credit card information.

There are many different reasons why it makes sense to accept credit cards when doing business online. Do your research before signing up for a merchant account to ensure that you are paying reasonable rates and receiving quality customer service from the provider that you choose to handle your credit card transactions.

To start your business with an internet merchant account, contact the experts at Vision Payment Solutions today!

Types of Businesses That Can Benefit From A Small Business Merchant Account

180fusion — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:11:34 +0000

As a small business owner, it is important to look for ways to grow your business at all times. You want to make purchasing your products or services as easy as possible for new customers. One way to do this is by opening a small business merchant account. There are many different types of businesses that can benefit greatly from a merchant card account from Vision Payment Solutions. A few of these businesses are outlined below:

Online Businesses

Accepting credit cards for an online business is absolutely crucial. In today’s fast paced economy, people are much more willing to pay for goods and services online by credit card. With a small business merchant account you can accept credit cards online with ease. Studies have shown that people are likely to spend more when using a credit card which makes accepting them online a complete no-brainer.

Companies Offering High Ticket Items

If your company’s products and services are expensive, credit cards are a great option. Customers are much more willing to put a big ticket item on a credit card as opposed to paying cash. Consumers would much rather pay for an item over time as opposed to all at once. This is why it is immensely important for you to accept credit cards if your product line is high end.

Service Businesses

Whether you are an air conditioning repair company or a hair salon, service businesses can benefit greatly from accepting credit cards. With a small business merchant account you can easily process payments while in the field to improve your cash flow. Getting paid at the time of service can be a great benefit especially when you are just starting out as a small business owner.

No matter what type of small business you own, you will undoubtedly benefit greatly from accepting credit cards. While there are small fees associated with accepting credit cards, the benefits far outweigh the cost of this service.

If you are interested in setting up a small business merchant account, contact Vision Payment Solutions today!

What Exactly is A High Risk Merchant Account?

180fusion — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:06:11 +0000

If you do business online you may have heard the term, “high risk merchant account” being used from time to time. This type of merchant account is necessary for businesses who provide goods and services that some banks designate as high risk. Some of the common high risk businesses include online gambling, adult websites, online dating and some software sales companies. If you are involved in one of these industries, you should keep the following in mind when applying for a high risk merchant account.

Watch out for high fees

With these types of merchant accounts that some deem high risk, it is very important to watch out for high fees. Shop around and do a merchant account comparison to determine which provider can offer you the best rate. Rates may vary significantly from provider to provider, so it is very important to inquire about rates from multiple providers. At Vision Payment Solutions, we offer very competitive rates. While you may pay a bit more than a traditional type of business, you should not be taken advantage of based on the type of business that you own.

Necessary if you operate off shore

If your business is operating off shore, you may need to apply for a high risk merchant account if you decide to accept credit cards. While this is not always the case, it is important to research the need for this type of account before you decide to operate off shore. These types of fees can be significant so you need to make sure that you have all the necessary information before deciding to accept credit cards.

Before you decide to apply for this type of merchant account, it is important to make sure that you could not be approved for a traditional merchant account. If you are able to obtain a traditional merchant account your rates will be lower, but this may not be an option for you depending on your type of business as well as your credit standing. Vision Payment Solutions can help you with any questions you may have regarding high risk merchant accounts.

Please contact us today!

Beware of These Factors When Applying for Merchant Account Credit Cards

180fusion — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:10:58 +0000

If you have recently started your own business, one of the first things that you will realize is that you will need to accept credit cards if you want to survive in almost any industry. Before you jump in to accepting credit cards, do your homework because with a merchant account, credit cards can be accepted but fees vary widely in the industry. As the leader in merchant accounts, Vision Payment Solutions knows all the gimmicks in the industry. Keep the following in mind when shopping for credit card merchant services.

Beware of High Rates

As you know with a merchant account, credit cards can be accepted at your place of business. While this sounds great, you need to compare fees across various providers. Some providers may offer a lower rate, but a much higher monthly minimum. Others may offer a higher rate, but a lower monthly minimum. You need to consider all of these factors when signing up for a merchant account credit card online. We offer the most competitive rates in the industry.

Beware of Teaser Promotions

Some merchant account providers may claim that they offer rates which seem too good to be true. If so, these are likely teaser rates which will expire and leave you paying high rates for the remainder of the contract. Always ask for a printout of the terms of the agreement and read all of the fine print. Providers typically hide these specifics in very small print somewhere towards the end of the contract.

Avoid Long Term Contracts

It is best to avoid long, multi-year contracts if at all possible when searching for a merchant account online. Even if you are just starting out, it may make more sense to pay a higher rate to avoid a long term contract. With the business climate as volatile as it currently is, you should protect yourself if at all possible from long term commitments.

If you follow the steps outlined by the experts from Vision Payment Solutions, you will have a merchant account setup in no time and it will not cost you an arm and a leg!

How An Online Credit Card Merchant Account from VPS Can Revolutionize Your Business

180fusion — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:06:17 +0000

Let’s face it, the Internet is a revolutionary tool that has helped many stagnant businesses revamp their entire strategy to increase profits and efficiencies. The Internet allows small businesses to compete with huge corporations due to the relatively small investment that is required to launch a website online. While large corporations have much deeper pockets than small businesses, there are countless stories of small business owners developing an idea online and making a fortune. If you are selling products or services on the web, an online credit card merchant account is an absolute must. With a merchant account, credit card payments can be handled with ease directly on your web site. At Vision Payment Solutions, we are completely dedicated to ensuring that no matter the size of your business, your online credit card merchant account will be beneficial to you. There are several reasons why it is so important to accept credit cards when doing business online.

Credit Cards Help Increase Impulse Purchases

When you have an online credit card merchant account, you can allow customers to purchase your products or services instantly. If you can convince them that what you are offering will help them, you can almost guarantee that they will make a purchase online. If you do not accept credit cards and force your customers to mail you a check, they will typically change their mind before mailing payment.

Credit Cards Are More Secure Than Checks

Some people may not realize this, but you are much more likely to have your checking account compromised than your credit card account. On top of that, credit card companies have entire teams of people whose primary job is to help you when you have been a victim of identity theft. If a criminal uses a credit card for a fraudulent purchase you will not be responsible. The same can not always be said when your bank account is compromised. It is wise to use an actual credit card and not a debit card when purchasing items online. You are more protected when using a credit card than when using a debit card.

As you can see, an online credit card merchant account can do nothing but good for your business. Accepting credit cards is quick and easy as long as you pick a merchant that has experience and great customer service. If you have any questions about how a credit card can help your business, contact Vision Payment Solutions at (877) 674-2286!

Selecting Card Payment Solutions for Your Company

180fusion — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:51:05 +0000

If you are a business owner and you are trying to find the best card payment solutions for your company, but you don’t know where or what to look for, Vision Payment Solutions can help you! Here are a few tips that can lead you in the right direction in what you should look for with credit card payment solutions.

Choosing a Credit Card Payment Solution

One of the first tips that you should use in finding a card payment solution is to understand the company. When you understand the card payment solution company, you will be able to know the company’s reputation, service and anything else the company might provide or offer. It is also extremely important that you understand the company and the reputation that they have. Here are a few questions that you can keep in mind when searching for a credit card company. Is the company a member of the Better Business Bureau? What type of business are they working with? Who supports the processor of the company? Make sure you keep these questions in mind or ask the representative of the company these questions so that you can get a good amount of knowledge regarding the company.

Great Customer Service is Crucial

When you are checking into the company make sure you check out the customer service. Because you never know when you might have to call customer services with some issues you have with your credit card processing. One great tip that you can use to check out the customer service is to call into the customer service. By calling into the customer service you will be able to see if the customer service is outsourced overseas or if it is handled in-house. If the customer service is handled in-house that is definitely a company that you should work with. However, if the company has their customer serviced outsourced overseas, you can expect that your wait time for an issue you might have will take a while to resolve. So you need to decide if you have a large amount of time to resolve issues or you have very little time and you need your issues resolved immediately.

Check the Security of the Company

Make sure you check into the security of the card payment solutions company. You need to make sure that the security of the company has the latest technology, because you don’t want any hackers accessing your important information.

Contact VPS to help you set up payment solutions for your company.

Setup eCommerce Credit Card Processing

180fusion — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:48:23 +0000

If you are a business owner and you are trying to set up an Internet credit card processing system for your online business but you don’t know where to start, here are a few tips that will help you on the right path. These tips are exactly what you need to set up your Internet credit card processing for your company.

Knowing Where to Start First

It can be very frustrating not knowing where to start to set up an eCommerce credit card processing system for your business. However, using these tips will help you achieve the right Internet credit card processing for your business. The very first tip you should know is whether you have an eCommerce shopping cart. If you aren’t familiar with what an eCommerce shopping cart is, it is basically software that can display all of your products you would like to sell on your site.

Understanding Shopping Carts for Your Site

There are a variety of different shopping carts that you can choose from, but you need to make sure you select a shopping cart for what your business needs are. Too many people choose a shopping cart without understanding exactly what the shopping cart does and what you need it to do. So it is every important that you know and understand the type of shopping carts that are out there and the type of shopping cart that would work best for your online business.

Choosing the Best Payment Gateway

Knowing what type of payment gateway to select can be extremely overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what you are looking for. With a payment gateway you need to understand one main thing, a payment gateway is completely different than a merchant account. An online payment gateway is basically a way that your shopping cart and merchant account talk. The payment gateway is the “wiring” between the shopping cart and merchant account or Internet credit card processing company. All of the credit card information that is transferred goes through a payment gateway. A payment gateway is similar to a shopping cart in that there are multiple gateways to choose from. However, when you choose a payment gateway you need to make sure that the gateway is compatible with your shopping cart. If the shopping cart and payment gateway aren’t compatible, then you will not be able to take any payments on your online business. So it is extremely important that all of the products you purchase for your online business are compatible products.