Online Merchant Account - Affordable Credit Card Processing

For an online business, merchant accounts are a basic necessity. The ability to process customer credit card information on the web can dramatically increase your online sales! For major businesses, the best bet is to get an online merchant account with the major bank you use for business banking. However, those are subject to business credit review and usually can cost more per online transaction than with other forms of online merchant accounts. For home-based and small online businesses, such as our own, we recommend the use of an online merchant account.

Online Merchant Account With No Startup Costs

Electronic Transfer has some of the lowest rates of any online merchant account on the Internet. With a transaction fee of only $.30 and a 2.25% discount fee, Electronic Transfer charges no startup fees of any kind. While most merchant accounts have application fees or a site inspection fee attached to them, you won't have to pay those costs to get started with Electronic Transfer, Inc. Also, with many online merchant account providers, you will still have to get approved for American Express and Discover on your own. When you sign up for Electronic Transfer, you get setup for Visa, MC, AMEX and Discover! Electronic Transfer also provides a free shopping cart with each account, the ability to setup recurring billing, and the ability to accept Internet checks. And 98% of applicants are approved, including home-based businesses. Even if you have questionable credit or you have been turned down elsewhere, ETI can help you get an online merchant account.

Online Merchant Account Through Your PayPal Account

Online Merchant Accounts vs. Bank Merchant Accounts

Obviously, the first and best choice for getting a merchant account is the bank you use. All major banks offer merchant accounts to their business customers, but you may find getting approved for one a little bit more difficult than you might expect. In addition, banks will typically charge more for merchant accounts then pure merchant account providers. For example, the average bank charges from 2.5% to 4% of total sales and from $.35 to $.60 per transaction. They also will charge a monthly statement fee of at least $10 and a minimum monthly fee of usually $25.00.

And, of course, there are the application and setup fees.

Basically, businesses that are well-established and have good credit with their major bank are probably better off with an online merchant account from their bank. New businesses, Internet-only businesses, businesses with lower sales volumes, and businesses with bad credit will be better served applying with a online merchant account provider.

Compare Other Online Merchant Accounts

• Merchant Account Provider Directory - For a look at a few more low-cost merchant accounts, visit OnlineOrders.net, the guide to E-Commerce, Merchant Accounts and Shopping Cart Solutions.