MerchantPlus, LLC.

Clover

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:21:29 -0500

Clover is the easiest way to settle up with your friends and family for meals and entertainment, living expenses, group presents, etc. With Clover, you’ll always have the right change. When you are ordering food with someone and cannot seem to find the change in your wallet to settle the split, Clover is a great solution. Its a very simple app that can completely change the payment game. Create an account and very simply add money to your account from your credit card or your bank or PayPal account and easily withdraw money via your bank or PayPal accounts, Amazon gift cards, or even by check. Yo can then easily transfer funds between your friends and family. Security is also not an issue with Clover because Clover protects your information with 256-bit encryption and stores it in a PCI-DSS compliant server environment, not on your phone. You can also secure your Clover app with a 4-digit PIN and your Clover funds are FDIC-insured.

Freelancer Panel

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:47:45 -0500

A new invoicing software from Xyche Web Solutions, Freelancer Panel is a fantastic program for freelancers and businesses of all sizes.

Overall, Freelancer Panel can:

Maximize your time by knowing what you have to do and when.
Keep track of payments from all of your clients.
Effectively communicate with your clients.
Completely manage your website.

Features of Freelancer Panel:

Send Online Invoice to your Clients
Online Freelance Client Management Software
Fully Featured Project Management Software for Business & Freelancers
Full Helpdesk with Knowledgebase
Selling your Products through a Shopping Cart
Bill For your Time, and Track Your Time!

“Freelancer Panel has been in business since 2006, and for the vast majority of that time, all of our credit card processing has been through MerchantPlus. We have customers in over 50 countries across the world now, and MerchantPlus has been with us through all of that. I am so pleased with MerchantPlus that Freelancer Panel is offering a 10% discount code to all of their customers. You will now be able to enjoy our software at a discounted rate. Our software does everything from managing invoices & projects, to helping you sell your products or services through your website. Many features, now at a much lower rate.”

Use the coupon code “mp” or “merchantplus” for 10% off any service paid monthly above the basic freelancer plan.

Freelancer Panel offers plans starting at $1.99 a month. For more information on Freelancer Panel and the specific plans they offer, head over to www.freelancerpanel.com.

How to Turn Your Smart Phone Into a Mobile, Credit Card Processing Terminal

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:39:15 -0400

In today’s world of advanced technology, new products and services are always coming to the market and can help you do business more efficiently and even save you money. The smart phone is no exception. Anyone running a business or service that requires processing payments while on the road should learn how to process a credit card with a smart phone. It’s the most cost-effective way for small businesses to accept credit card payments while on the go. So, how can you start accepting mobile payments?

Step 1: Hire a merchant account services provider that offers smart phone credit card processing. Companies such as MerchantPlus offer both iPhone credit card processing and Android credit card processing. The entire setup process is pretty simple.

Step 2: Go to the merchant account service provider website and apply for an account. Fill in your personal contact information such as your name and email address. Include your general business information, banking information, and business ownership information. Review and electronically sign the application to complete the registration process.

Step 3: Download the specific smart phone payment processing application from your phone’s application marketplace once your merchant services account is approved. The application will turn your smart phone into a mobile, virtual credit card terminal. You won’t need any additional hardware to completely process credit cards.

When you enter a customer’s credit card information into your phone, you’ll immediately see if the card is approved or denied. Your smart phone will be able to process Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit cards. The credit card processing application uses a simple and intuitive user interface to help you process transactions when you’re anywhere near a cellular or WiFi signal, and transactions are sent securely over an encrypted SSL connection.

Taking payments via your iPhone or Android-powered phone will help your business compete while keeping costs low – and remember, by using your smart phone to process credit cards, you don’t have to carry another piece of bulky equipment with you in order to accept payments on the go.

The Benefits of Enabling Your eBusiness for Global Users: Multi Currency Credit Card Processing

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:39:18 -0400

The world wide web has made it possible for every business to sell to millions of people from one end of the earth to the other. With the web, your marketplace is the entire globe. Taking advantage of such a large potential-customer base takes an advanced payment processing system capable of working with various payment currencies. There are many benefits to providing multi-currency processing and international payment options.

First off, find a payment processor that has s expertise in Internet merchant accounts, mobile credit card processing, online credit card processing, and mobile credit card processing. Very few merchant account services providers can handle international payment options and multi-currency processing, so make sure to find one that can help you natively offer sales to your customers in Euros, Pounds, Yen, Australian Dollars, Canadian Dollars, etc. This will increase your customer base and also lower the costs to your customers, who may be paying a foreign currency conversion fee in order to shop with you in US Dollars.

International payment processing options draw in buyers from different countries who may feel uncomfortable paying for items in terms of U.S. currency. Once international web visitors come to your website and see that you process payments in a number of different currencies, they’ll automatically get a sense that you provide personalized services. You thought of their needs, and top-notch service is what keeps customers coming back to your business again and again.

It’s difficult to make a website or business seem like a second home to an international web visitor. Most likely, the content on your site will be in your native language. A potential buyer whose native language is different from yours will have to adjust. However, when visitors arrive at your payment page, they can see a familiar currency option. Then, buyers will spread the word about your site, and your business will draw in even more traffic from all corners of the globe.

Work with a merchant account services provider who is interested in doing helping you set up international payment options. Making your payment system work for global users will only benefit you. It will bring in more customers and more profit. Setting up credit card processing online, Android credit card processing, iPhone credit card processing and other complex processing systems is a task you want to leave in the hands of people who can commit a large amount of time to setting everything up.

A well-established merchant account service provider will be happy to provide your business with international payment options and multi-currency processing. In the end, you’ll be satisfied and each international face that visits your online store front will be happy as well.

How to Choose a High Risk Merchant Account Provider

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:30:06 -0400

Examples of high risk businesses include telemarketing, infomercials, online dating and other industries that have a very large turnover with large volumes of sales. High risk businesses also have an increased risk of fraud. The stakes are high, but there’s plenty of money to be made. Choose your high risk merchant account provider carefully. All merchant account providers are not the same.

Determine the rates the provider charges for high risk merchant accounts. There are several facets of payment processing including credit card processing fees, gateway fees and risk or reserve fees. Make sure your provider is up front about the costs and also clearly knows your industry and business model.

Remember, rates charged for high risk merchant accounts are higher than standard merchant accounts due to increased risk for the bank. However, quality and cost-effective providers are available. Make sure your credit card processor is clearly stating all charges and fees.

Choose a merchant account services provider with a long standing reputation. Research the number of years the company has been in business and look for a list of past clients. Typically, you can find customer testimonials on the company website.

When you call the provider, ask questions about customer service so you can get a feel for how the provider will value your business. As a high risk business, it’s important to work with a company that’s available to answer any questions you might have. Ask about availability and whether you can reach the company via email, phone or online chat.

Ask how long it will take to get your merchant account up and running. This is perhaps one of the most important questions you can ask because the sooner you get started, the sooner you can begin processing payments and making money. But remember, high risk merchant accounts generally require an underwriting process that can take 4-5 days.

Working with a skilled merchant account services provider will facilitate easy processing of credit cards and help turn a profit for your business faster. Apply for a high risk merchant account at a company that will satisfy all your needs in the best way possible.

How to Keep Costs Low For Your Online Store : Look For Clear Pricing

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:18:44 -0400

Successfully running an online store requires determination, creativity, and a strong sense of what’s most cost effective for your business. As an online store, you’ll have to accept credit card payments and work with other facets of credit card processing online. There’s a lot that goes into payment processing, and most business owners take advantage of companies that handle payment processing for them. There are many organizations that offer all kinds of merchant account services, but to keep your costs as low as possible, look for a merchant account services provider that offers clear pricing.

Call the merchant account services company and ask for a price list in writing. Tell the person on the phone you’d like to know the exact cost for any setup fees, transaction fees, application fees and annual fees. Also mention that you’d like information about Visa/MasterCard discounts and required monthly minimums. Make sure you get your gateway included for free in your merchant account or for very low cost. The company should be able to provide you with a written explanation of all pricing and fees and tell you what competitors charge.

Once you receive the pricing in writing, look over it to make sure you understand all the merchant account services terms. If you don’t understand something, call the organization and ask for a thorough explanation. The payment processing company should also be able to tell you where to find further explanation on the company website.

Determine what your costs will be upfront and how that will affect your online store’s bottom line. Once you have everything sorted out and calculated, go to the company website to see if you can go through a demo of its payment processing system. The demo should be free of charge. See how the company’s payment processing terminal accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Gauge how the terminal deals with newer payment processing such as iPhone credit card processing or Android credit card processing.

If you come through the demo satisfied, look at your prices in writing. Call the company and find out the signup process or sign up using their online application. In the long run, hiring a business to handle your online merchant account will save you time and money.

The Benefits of Enabling Your eBusiness for Global Users: Multi Currency Credit Card Processing

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 18:21:10 -0400

The Difference in Merchant Account Rates — Why Not all Credit Card Processing Accounts Are the Same

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:53:35 -0400

As a merchant, you have to constantly monitor the money that comes out of your pocket. Finding any way possible to save money is beneficial for any business. When it comes to payment processing, you’ll often pay any combination of setup fees, application fees, monthly fees, monthly minimums, PCI compliance fees, transaction fees and annual fees. Merchant credit card processors will offer you a discount rate (i.e. the percentage taken out of each sale that you process) on credit card transactions. However, not all discount rates are the same.

A discount rate is a small percentage of each transaction that is paid in order to accept credit card transactions. You pay this small percentage to the credit card processor. Many merchant account providers base this percentage on variables such as your evaluated risk, types of transactions, or your overall sales volume. The industry standard discount rate for processing z credit cards on the Internet or as a “keyed in” sale is between 2.29 and 2.99 percent. MerchantPlus, a leading merchant account services provider offers a rate of 2.15 percent, quite competitive with the industry standard.

When determining if a particular discount rate will benefit your business, consider the price of your average sale and your transaction fee. Take your per transaction fee and divide it by your average sale price plus your discount rate. You’ll end up with an approximation for what you’ll pay per each transaction.

How to Use Credit Card Logos to Boost Sales and Conversion

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 09:49:00 -0400

In today’s economy, every business is focusing on increasing sales and converting potential customers into buying customers. That’s the way to help a company grow. To increase both conversions and sales, you need to gain both a customer’s trust and confidence. Using credit card logos is a key way to do this.

First off, it goes almost without saying that if you run a retail storefront or online store, you must accept credit card payments. 75 percent of U.S. families have one or more credit cards. Out of that percentage, many of those families prefer using credit cards over any other form of payment. If your business does not accept credit card payments, you’re missing out on a substantial part of the buying population. Customers who can’t pay you via credit card won’t just grab another form of payment. They’ll go to another business that will accept credit cards. You have to do what you can to stay ahead of the competition.

If you can accept credit cards, displaying approved, professional-looking logos representing the credit cards you accept will send a message to customers that you are running a legitimate company. Credit card logos also send a visual cue that customers can buy straight from your site. Make sure to visit one of the professional sites that can provide you with copy and paste high-quality web logos for Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express payment brands.

Some sites only function as storefronts. You can’t make Internet purchases from these sites. Instead, you have to call the customer service number or go to a store location. Displaying a credit card logo may be the only way customers will know for sure that they can point, click, and make a purchase directly from your site.

Boosting sales and conversion rests on your ability to relate to the customer, so put yourself in the customer’s shoes. When customers visit your site, they don’t know who you are or what you are about, but they are quite familiar with Visa or Mastercard logos. Displaying them proudly on your website is the first step to getting and nurturing your customer’s confidence. A customer who is confident in your business will buy from you again and again.

How to Keep Costs Low For Your Mail Order Business: Part 2 — Process Payments on Your Smart Phone

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 09:29:26 -0400

Swipe card payment processing via a point of sale terminal can be expensive. Not only do you have to factor in the cost and maintenance of the terminal equipment, but swipe card transaction fees as well. If you’re just starting your mail order business, saving money is a top priority. Even if your business has been around for a while, a company could always use a way to cut costs. Keep costs low by using your smart phone instead of a terminal to process payments.

Choose a merchant account services provider that is familiar with all facets of credit card processing and other payment processing services. MerchantPlus is the only merchant provider that offers Google Android and iPhone credit card processing.

Apply for an account with the merchant provider. Download the specific app for your smart phone and you’re ready to process payments on the go. You won’t have to worry about paying for or maintaining any additional hardware. Using a smart phone to accept credit card payments is really the way to keep costs low.

Then, once you have gained a large client base and profits start to role in, you can expand your business to a point of sale terminal set up. Your merchant account services provider can help you with that too. It can set up a swipe card system that’s just right for your growing mail order business.

Merchant account services providers specialize in meeting all the payment processing needs of a business. Trained to focus on the minute details of accepting payments such as mobile credit card processing, online credit card processing, Android credit card processing, and iPhone credit card processing, your merchant account service provider will work hard to process payments for your business so you can keep costs low and focus on other things.

How to Keep Costs Low For Your Online Store

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 09:46:08 -0400

With all the choices available for running an online store, it can be difficult to sort through everything and find out what the most cost-effective solution is for your business. Two things will greatly affect your bottom line — the time you put into your store and the money you spend getting it up and running. To keep costs low, using an efficient, affordable, and reliable merchant account services provider essential.

When selecting your merchant account services provider, cut expenses by focusing on trusted organizations that advertise clear pricing. Generally, merchant service providers charge annual fees of $100.00 and up, setup fees of at least $99.00, and an application fee. Also, many charge monthly minimums that can cost $25.00 or more, representing additional overhead to maintain your account. However, MerchantPlus does not charge an annual fee, application fee, setup fee or have monthly minimums. The pricing is clear. It’s $0.00 to setup which saves you a great deal of money. Any other minor fees are clearly stated on the website.

Another way to keep costs down is to invest in an organization that prides itself on customer service. A company that can navigate you through the merchant account services setup and gateway integration for your online store will help you avoid spending a lot of time figuring things out on your own or paying for the time of a web developer. By relying on a knowledgeable merchant provider, you can cut costs because you won’t have to lose money correcting payment processing mistakes or paying out of pocket to decipher integration guides or complicated setup procedures. The MerchantPlus team has nearly 10 years of experience and will carefully help you get started and make sure you get things right the first time. You’ll be raving about our customer service and online merchant account expertise.

Today’s customer base is made up of people of all ages. There are tech-savvy teenagers who are familiar with several forms of online credit card processing and customers who are used to making payments in more traditional ways. Each year brings with it more advanced technology. There are newer and more efficient ways to accept credit card payments and handle online merchant accounts in general. Only MerchantPlus allows credit card processing on Google Android and Iphone, giving you a low-cost mobile credit card processing solution for your business.

Keeping you merchant account costs low requires working with trusted providers who have years of experience in online payment processing. This will not only save you money, but it will save you time, allowing you to spend less time worrying about accepting payments and more time growing your online business.

How to Keep Costs Low For Your Mail Order Business: Part 1 — Find a Provider to Navigate You Through the Getting-Started Phase

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:38:07 -0400

There are enough complexities involved with running a mail order business. Not only do you have to constantly market your products to your customers, you also must continuously work to develop new products. Then, when customers buy the product from you, you have to excel at order fulfillment, customer service and more. Because there’s so much involved with not only running a mail order business but any kind of business, savvy business owners hire an expert merchant account services provider to handle credit card processing. To keep costs low for your mail order business, find a company that will navigate you through the getting-started phase of your business and provide you with cost-effective, smart solutions for processing online payments.

As a new business owner, you should research merchant account providers with a well-known reputation for providing outstanding customer service. Many companies want to merely satisfy customers. However, some merchant account services companies want their customers raving about and applauding their service. Look for these companies by checking against the Better Business Bureau or reading testimonials on the provider website. Also, check the merchant account provider’s website to see if the business has a section specifically geared toward offering customer service. Such attention signals the company really cares about the customer experience that they offer.

Once you get a feel for the merchant account provider you want to work with, call the company and chat with the person who picks up the phone. Ask about the process for getting your merchant account started and what it will take to get you up and running – this is particularly important for the “getting-started” phase. Getting things right the first time will eliminate time-intensive troubleshooting and keep your attention on growing your new business. Otherwise, you could end up spending time and money correcting mistakes in your credit card processing setup or integration. If you’re a merchant that also goes to trade shows, make sure to ask questions about low-cost mobile credit card processing options.

You want to come away from the phone conversation with confidence in the merchant provider, not only in their great rates. Finding a knowledgeable, patient, reliable and experienced partner for your credit card processing is very important and can help your business start to bring in sales quicker and at a lower overall cost.

BluePay, Leading Provider of Credit Card Processing Services and...

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:54:00 -0400

BluePay, Leading Provider of Credit Card Processing Services and one of MerchantPlus’s processors, Receives Constant Contact All Star Award

http://tinyurl.com/ykl5mcm

Taking credit card payments is easier than it seems

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:54:35 -0400

There is no question that more people are turning to entrepreneurship today than ever before. With the state of our economy in shambles and unemployment at an all time high, the prospect of starting your own business is both promising and frightening. The continued growth of the internet and the prospects of social networking helps people take this opportunity to try out their life long dreams.

At the same time, there are many fears that entrepreneurs still have to face when starting a business. Start up costs, licensing, marketing, no immediate profits, billing, accounting, etc…

With a smaller world and a MUCH larger prospect base thanks to the internet, one thing that should not be a big worry is offering your prospects and customers the ability to pay however they like. Accepting credit card payments is easier then ever and literally takes no more than 10 minutes of your time to set up. Over the next few days, I will explain some of the things that people are not aware of when it comes to merchant services and how credit card companies like Visa/Mastercard determine their rates. It’s much simpler than you may think.

Internet searching and advertising increasingly plays a role in...

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:00:00 -0500

Internet searching and advertising increasingly plays a role in consumer decisions and purchases, yet pertinent information for making value-judgments is currently awkward to ferret out and certainly not universally accessible or useful. There is rarely a feedback loop aligning vendor or manufacturer’s environmental, social or governance policies with a shopper’s values, so shoppers, over time, rarely cause industries to change their behavior.

There needs to be a way for shoppers to aim their purchasing power at achieving social values of highest regional priority. There needs to be a way to accumulate and redeem “social values rewards”. What’s missing is timely and impactful analysis of a candidate purchases’ impact on the Shopper’s family, region and planet (expressed according to their values), so that the purchaser can more easily make informed purchasing decisions.

Signs of spring helping our economy...at least something.

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:33:00 -0500

Signs of spring helping our economy...at least something. :

March 12 (Bloomberg) — Americans braved blizzards and overcame job concerns to propel retail sales in February, pointing to a broadening in growth that will help sustain the expansion. Read more.

The nuts and bolts of credit card processing

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:58:55 -0500

The nuts and bolts of credit card processing:

Consumers increasingly are turning to plastic over paper when they open their wallets. Credit and debit card spending exceeded $1 trillion in 1998, making it a necessary payment option for most businesse

How credit card processing works

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:19:00 -0500

How credit card processing works:

Credit cards have become so popular today as a means of payment that they are accepted by almost every merchant that exists today. With the credit card being so popular, there have been a lot of banks that issue credit cards of either own and most of the credit cards that exist today make use of either Visa or MasterCard. However, even though there are various credit cards that can be found these days, all of them actually work in the same way.

Interesting article

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:10:04 -0500

Interesting article

http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/restaurants-bars/83522/credit-card-breakdown

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:31:49 -0500

http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/restaurants-bars/83522/credit-card-breakdown

MerchantPlus, LLC.

Clover

Freelancer Panel

Send Online Invoice to your Clients

Online Freelance Client Management Software

Fully Featured Project Management Software for Business & Freelancers

Full Helpdesk with Knowledgebase

Selling your Products through a Shopping Cart

Bill For your Time, and Track Your Time!

How to Turn Your Smart Phone Into a Mobile, Credit Card Processing Terminal

The Benefits of Enabling Your eBusiness for Global Users: Multi Currency Credit Card Processing

How to Choose a High Risk Merchant Account Provider

How to Keep Costs Low For Your Online Store : Look For Clear Pricing

The Benefits of Enabling Your eBusiness for Global Users: Multi Currency Credit Card Processing

The Difference in Merchant Account Rates — Why Not all Credit Card Processing Accounts Are the Same

How to Use Credit Card Logos to Boost Sales and Conversion

How to Keep Costs Low For Your Mail Order Business: Part 2 — Process Payments on Your Smart Phone

How to Keep Costs Low For Your Online Store

How to Keep Costs Low For Your Mail Order Business: Part 1 — Find a Provider to Navigate You Through the Getting-Started Phase

BluePay, Leading Provider of Credit Card Processing Services and...

Taking credit card payments is easier than it seems

Internet searching and advertising increasingly plays a role in...

Signs of spring helping our economy...at least something.

The nuts and bolts of credit card processing

How credit card processing works

Interesting article

http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/restaurants-bars/83522/credit-card-breakdown