Entrepreneurs, and there are more now than ever before, have a variety of options when it comes to merchant account solutions. The question is no longer should a business take credit cards, it’s what options for merchant accounts best fit a business’s needs?

Not only has credit card payment become America’s payment method of choice, offering credit card services allows easy integration of data into online systems and helps business owners managing accounts and inventory more effectively. Credit cards also enable young businesses to tap into a larger customer base by offering a variety of payment methods.

What New Business Owners Need to Know

Credit card processing requires hardware, software and a good clear understanding of what types of credit card transactions will be typical for a business. Is it online only? Will there be a brick and mortar location? Will checks be accepted? Is it a combination of all of the above?

For online only businesses, credit card processing software is generally included in a basic e-commerce software package. Users can set up an online store with a shopping cart and tap into customer information banks. For businesses with a physical location, it’s helpful to have a software-based credit card processing system, although lots of locations often have an electronic processing terminal or mobile wireless terminals.

Besides shopping for merchant accounts with the lowest rates, it’s important to choose someone with a high level of security that also offers diverse packages that meet all aspects of the payment options offered through your new business.