Surf to Google and perform a search on “Internet Merchant Account”. The outcomes are astounding (472,000 results!) If you have created a web based business and need to accept credit card payments, your choices are limitless. Prior to you partner with a provider, take time to understand the different components of internet credit card processing, and know what to look for in a merchant provider. How It Works Accepting credit card payments through your web site actually requires multiple components. Between a paying customer and your bank account, three layers exist: Payment Gateway – This is the code that will transmit a customer’s order to and from an internet merchant account provider. The payment gateway provides you the ability to accept customer billing information (credit card number, credit card type, expiration date, and payment amount) and the essential validation steps that must be followed before the credit card is actually billed. Internet Merchant Account – A Merchant Account is an account with a financial institution or bank, which enables you to accept credit card payments from your clients. The payment gateway actually transmits the billing information to the internet merchant account provider. Unfortunately, most local banks do not give internet merchant account capability. The main reason why most local financial institutions or banks do not want to provide online merchant accounts is because transactions conducted over the Internet are totally different from face to face transactions where a signature is required to authorize the purchase. This makes online transactions prone to credit card fraud. Fraud protection should be one of your main considerations when choosing an internet merchant account provider. Web Site – Regardless of which merchant provider and gateway service you choose, your web site will need to integrate with your service providers. Most providers include detailed web incorporation instructions. How Much Does It Cost Understanding the total costs of your merchant provider can be tricky. Remember my Google example – there are more merchant account providers than there are people looking for internet merchant accounts so ask questions and be particular! Typically, an internet merchant account will have three types of costs: • Up Front Application Fees • On Going Fixed Fee • Discount Rate • Fixed Transaction Fee • Termination Fees • Miscellaneous Fees If you are looking for SEO Testimonials or SEO testimonials of success or even SEO Testimonials articles – you have come to the right place.