Payment processing is the act of accepting and verifying customer payments, then depositing the funds into your merchant account. Payment processors handle all aspects of electronic payments, from authorizing the transaction to transferring the funds to your bank account.
The payment processing industry is complex, with a myriad of rules and regulations that can be confusing for merchants. To make things easier to understand, we’ve put together this guide that covers everything you need to know about payment processing.
What is a Payment Processor?
A payment processor is a company that handles the electronic transfer of funds between a merchant and customer. Payment processors are responsible for authorizing credit and debit card transactions, then transferring the funds to the merchant’s bank account.
Most payment processors will also provide other value-added services, such as fraud protection, chargeback management, and reporting. Payment processors typically earn revenue by charging a per-transaction fee and/or a monthly service fee.
How Does Payment Processing Work?
Payment processing is a multi-step process that begins when a customer initiates a transaction by entering their payment information into a form on your website.
Once the customer’s payment information is entered, the payment processor will run an authorization check to make sure the funds are available. If the funds are available, the transaction will be authorized and the funds will be transferred to your merchant account.
Once the funds are in your account, the payment processor will settle the transaction, which typically takes 24-48 hours. Once the transaction is settled, you will have access to the funds and can transfer them to your bank account.
What Types of Payments Can Be Processed?
Most payment processors can handle a wide range of payment types, including credit and debit cards, ACH payments, wire transfers, and even cryptocurrency. Buy Adderall
What Are the Benefits of Payment Processing?
There are many benefits of payment processing, including:
- Convenience: Customers can make purchases 24/7 from anywhere in the world.
- Increased Sales: Customers are more likely to make a purchase if they can pay with their preferred payment method.
- Improved Cash Flow: Payment processors typically deposit funds into your account within 24-48 hours, which gives you access to the funds much faster than if you were waiting for a check to clear.
- Fraud Protection: Payment processors offer fraud protection services that can help you avoid chargebacks and other types of fraud.
What Are the Drawbacks of Payment Processing?
There are a few drawbacks to payment processing, including:
- Per-Transaction Fees: Most payment processors charge a per-transaction fee, which can add up if you have a high volume of sales.
- Monthly Service Fees: In addition to per-transaction fees, some payment processors also charge a monthly service fee.
- Chargebacks: Although payment processors offer fraud protection services, you may still experience chargebacks from time to time.
How to Choose a Payment Processor
There are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing a payment processor, including:
- Pricing: Make sure to compare the per-transaction and monthly service fees charged by different payment processors.
- Payment Types: Make sure the payment processor you choose can handle the types of payments you want to accept.
- Features: Some payment processors offer additional features, such as fraud protection and chargeback management. Make sure to compare the features offered by different payment processors.
- Customer Service: You should choose a payment processor with good customer service in case you have any questions or problems.
What’s Next?
Now that you know more about credit card payment processing, you can start shopping around for a payment processor that meets your needs.
If you’re looking for a payment processor that can handle a wide range of payment types, check out our list of the best payment processors.
If you’re looking for a specific type of payment processor, such as an ACH payment processor, check out our list of the best ACH payment processors.
Once you’ve chosen a payment processor, you can learn how to set up payment processing on your website.
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