A Beginner's Guide to eCommerce Merchant Accounts

What Is a Merchant Account?

So, you have got a wonderful website, SEO promoted with improved website traffic. Now you are inquisitive to know how to convert website visitors to customers. Your apprehensions are valid!

This is one of the common concerns of all online business owners, sales teams, and marketing teams. They wish to convert the visitor numbers to customers. The online success of any website depends on the conversion rate. And conversion rate relies on a robust merchant account for eCommerce. Thinking about eCommerce payment we imagine conventional payment mode and gateways.

So what are merchant accounts? Why should an online business consider to implement it? How does it work? How does one eCommerce site do business with another eCommerce site? They have options like pay by invoice. The eCommerce merchant option enables you to provide a customized experience to customers.

A merchant account for eCommerce is like a bank account to receive and accept e-payments. Merchant account requires a merchant acquiring bank association who provide electronic payment details. Merchant account providers need to observe regulations established by payment card associations.

For any online business to flourish and grow Merchant account association is essential. Setting up a Merchant account involves costs but in the long run, it adds value to the brand and business. It comes with extra fees but an array of services. The term Merchant is frequently used in the eCommerce platform and it could refer to...

  • In the case of an online retailer: A merchant is someone who sells goods and services to complete sales and make a profit.
  • Payment processor: A merchant account refers to the online payment account accepting and processing e-payments. Merchant account facilitates accepting credit cards along with other modes of payment. Merchant account for eCommerce is popular.
Understanding the Funcionality and Process' of a Merchant Account

How do Merchant Accounts Work?

We may be receiving many emails requesting to set up an eCommerce merchant account. So, how does a merchant account for eCommerce work? How websites can handle this payment option?

An eCommerce merchant service provides a platform to accept and process payment. This process is similar to the conventional point of sales (POS) in an offline store.

The in-store merchants use a physical POS to complete the purchase. The POS sends an authorization request to the card issuer over a telephone line. In the case of eCommerce, the merchant collects orders using a shopping cart. The encrypted authorization for the transaction is sent to the card issuer for verification. The payment process verification concludes through a payment gateway.

Importance of Adding an E to Your Commerce

Why Modern Business Need eCommerce Merchant Accounts

One of the most popular global online activity is online shopping. In 2019, retail e-commerce sales worldwide amounted to 3.53 trillion US dollars. E-retail revenues are projected to grow to 6.54 trillion US dollars in 2022.

The eCommerce Industry exceeded payment offerings by credit and debit card payments. In a sophisticated techno-savvy world, the online business provides an easy payment platform.

The popularity of eCommerce increased over the years. 46 % is the penetration rate for digital business in the year 2020. This trend clearly shows the advantages of setting up an online payment gateway. An eCommerce merchant account is now a prerequisite for companies to ensure a digital presence.

Online Business Presence

Online business has grown exponentially from the early '90s. Now, most of the offline business units also provide an online payment gateway. This process offers a seamless interaction with customers thereby improving user experience. Turning visitors into customers is one part. And encouraging them towards a shopping cart requires proper digital payment options.

Multiple Payment Options

When you study the online business pattern, digital payment options are accepted worldwide. Digital payment options offer services to debit and credit cardholders. And they charge a nominal fee as processing charges. The ECommerce merchant setup helps to manage and reduce processing fee costs. Else each gateway would charge separately for each transaction. In a world of increasing convenience, options are everything.

What Services do eCommerce Merchant Accounts Provide?

Merchant Account Services

Digital payments and online payment options are crucial to any business. Offering customers a variety of secured payment options will boost online growth.

Payment Process

One of the important aspects of an eCommerce merchant account is the payment process. Associating with the eCommerce merchant account ensures assurance with customers' payment process.

Encrypted Payments

Most of the eCommerce merchant accounts provide a high-security and encrypted payment process. Security is key for all online payments. This method guarantees a safe and secure payment. Select an eCommerce merchant service provider with better encryption handling.

POS System

If you own a business, having both online and offline payments, point of sales(POS) is an added advantage. eCommerce merchant account providers like Square, Stripe also provide the POS system. This benefits business owners with payments and a streamlined inventory.

User-Friendly Software

User experience is crucial to any online shopping activity. eCommerce merchant accounts should be an easy-to-use platform. Some of the features would be to track payments, refund issues, and view reports in the dashboard.

Streamlined Payments

One of the important aspects of online business is an easy and simple payment option. This ease of payment applies both to the owner as well as the customer. The whole experience will leave customers happy and build value for the brand.

Things to remember before selecting eCommerce merchant services

Key Areas of Focus When Making Your Decision

The shopping experience has changed over the years. Customer's exposure to the latest, efficient, and seamless payment mode transformed online business. This prompts businesses to adapt to newer technology to provide a better experience. Some of the pointers to remember while selecting eCommerce merchant services are...

Simple Integrations

Choose an eCommerce merchant payment processor that is quick and easy to sync with the site. Signup for service providers like Paypal, Apple pay, etc. based on transaction volume.

This ensures the eCommerce website is equipped to handle a large volume and variety of transactions.

Multi-Card and International Processing

Provide an internationally accepted card payment option even if your business doesn't cater to it.

The conventional payment options are still a viable payment option for businesses. Select a provider with multiple card option like MasterCard, Discover, American Express, etc.

Low Fees

The best eCommerce merchant account provides the best security and easy transaction. And this involves a lot of initial costs to set up for a payment platform. So, select a provider with a nominal fee and good support. Fees are determined on the predicted number of sales and estimated actual costs.

Advanced Encryption

Security is important and vital to online business. Select a merchant account provider enabled to encrypt all payment processing with high security.

Customer Support

Select an eCommerce Merchant account provider with a reliable support system. When some transactions or payment goes wrong you need quick and fast action from the backend. Subscribing to an eCommerce merchant provider with good support is key to the brand.

Online payment methods and options are key to your business and brand. Whether you own a small or big business setting up an eCommerce merchant account is crucial.

Instead of high-risk payment solutions stick to a service provider who can aid to set up an easy process. This ensures a seamless payment option for your current and future business growth.