OVERCOMING HURDLES | WHAT YOU CAN DO TO GET MERCHANT ACCOUNT

Merchant Account for Running Tour and Travel Business

• Find consultants who specialize in the helping high-risk merchants finding a merchant account.
• We at merchant stronghold provide you the same.
• If you have a good record of risk, fraud, and charge-backs, you will be required to provide at least 6 months of prior financials to prove it.
• The best side of this is that if you can provide financial statements of 3 years, you will have more leverage to negotiate a better deal.
• Startups with a weak or non-existent record, you must accept a very well relationship.
• A common mistake that everyone does is to find big banks and merchant account providers.
• If these processors receive any hint that you are high risk, there is a chance that the merchant account will get a termination.
• Develop and put into action a strong fraud prevention plan. Introduce new tools that will help you detect and fight fraud.

Purchase a financial failure insurance plan to boost financial security.

These actions will be enough to get a merchant account for your tour and travel business. Just because of rejection for a merchant account before, doesn’t mean you will not get approval again.

When it comes to your business plan and financials, providing complete transparency is a great way to build trust. Your business model matter, it will work to not only survive in the current market but also thrive.

It is necessary for you to choose the best merchant account provider to better your newly founded organization. You can reach us at +1 (888) 622-6875 or email to info@merchantstronghold.com

Steps you need to consider while selecting a merchant service provider

We will try to focus on some important factors that can help you to choose the best merchant service provider for your business.

1. Clear and Transparent Fee Rates

This is the most important thing to study before selecting a merchant account. Many times, a provider will charge you very less processing fees to entice you to open an account with them but may charge very high fees in the name of other fees. A PCI fee is one such fee that a merchant has to pay to safeguard both merchant’s and customer’s account information. So, you need to consider all the rates and then finally choose the best merchant service provider with transparent fees structure.

2. Study the Fraud Detection Program

We have seen a lot of evidence of fraud happening in the cyber world in recent times. Fraudsters are now moving toward the small and medium-sized merchants because they are considered to be an ‘easy target’. So, one needs to be aware of the data breach security program covered by the service provider.

3. Stay Away from the Misleading Advertisement

Advertisement can really be a disguise. The basic idea of an advertisement is to enlighten customers about a company’s product with proper information. But it doesn’t seem to be happening all of the time. Many times companies hire individuals’ agents having no relevant educational background or no interest. Well, there are other reasons too, which led them to promote their product in a non-transparent way. So, try not to fall into any such trap. Conduct proper internet research and choose the best merchant service provider, which fulfills all of your needs.

4. Post-Sales Customer Service Assistance

It’s not just about your hardware or software products that you require a customer service assistance after the purchase of the product, customer service for presales and post-sales is required for almost each and everything that we buy or buy from. It can be in various forms. Some companies will assist through email and chat, some may even provide you with a dedicated representative for your account.

5. Ask the Average Fund Processing Time

You might miss this thing while you are seeking information about various other things related to your provider. But a predictable time is always very necessary to have an idea to have a proper cash flow. So, if you are into any such business, which requires a continuous fund transfer then research about the average time and chooses the best merchant service provider accordingly.

6. Software Compatibility to Manage your Data Digitally

Gone are the days when you need a separate rack to store your sales receipt as today is the day of the cloud-based system. It stores our data digitally without even consuming any memory. All you need to have is an internet connection and an electronic gadget and you can trace your data from anywhere in the world. There is much software in the online market for the same purpose. Virtual terminals, authorize.net, CDGcommerce are few names.

7. History of the Merchant Account Provider

Last but not least, you need to figure out the behavior of the merchant account provider with the proper market research. Proper market research will guide you in terms of examining the previous background of the provider. So, we hope that this article will give you a good idea on how to choose the best merchant service provider for your business.

High-Risk Merchant Account for your Subscription & Membership

A Result, it can be a bit tricky for merchants starting up a membership site to do the very thing that makes the endeavor lucrative: collect membership fees from clients via a high-risk credit card processing account.

Why subscription/Membership Sites are considering “High Risk”?

Before MasterCard’s compact rules were implemented (Visa has also issued similar guidelines), several membership sites used techniques that were extensively regarded as misleading, or even deceptive.

“Harmful decision” enrollment – in other words, the client makes a single payment for a product or service, but in doing so they are automatically signed up for a paid monthly subscription which they must actively cancel or opt out of to avoid being charged.

“Free trials” that aren’t free – the client or member is promised something for “free” (including “conceded charging” or “just pay to ship!”), but the process of obtaining the “free” thing or service results in them unknowingly being signed up for a paid membership or subscription.

Covering terms in the fine print – the Membership site makes the terms of its charges and refund policy approach hard to discover by concealing them amidst an extensive client assertion, or in modest content in some dark corner of the site.

Membership/ Subscription can Affect Your Business?

Your Membership site may be absolutely clear and genuine with its people about any charges to their cards, yet being a bit of an industry with a reputation for precariousness makes it harder to secure an enlistment site portion taking care of record – especially one with respectable rates and conditions. Your best decision is to work with a credit card processing with the association that has some skill in high-risk merchant accounts. A part of the portion processors willing to offer you a record may charge high costs or keep down a senselessly broad level of your compensation as a “moving store” to cover the risk of chargebacks and diverse hardships from harried people.

While dealing with associations are taking a wager by offering speaks to enlistment districts and need to secure them, these high rates can be troublesome for privately owned businesses. Merchant Stronghold-Merchant Services is cheerful to work with High-Risk Merchant and tune in to their requirements to give sensible participation site accounts.

Best Secure Merchant Account For Timeshare Business

Timeshares business offers various types of packages, vacation rentals, and airfares. It is considered as high risking business because credit card processing is high trafficked. The transactions also occur via phone and internet, and customers complain about services a lot. It takes a lot of time from booking to receiving, and because of it, disputes are common. A few years back, timeshares merchants weren’t offered credit card processing because of frequent cancellations and refunds. Now merchant account providers are able to take the risk, but travel and related business must keep terms and conditions clear.

Credit card fees and charges

There are various fees associated with transactions, mostly depend on customer’s card and type of transaction. Cards such as American Express, debit, credit card, and type of business are the key factors. Banks don’t want chargebacks because these cost money so they monitor timeshares business closely. Merchants must check best processing rates and look for an online merchant account that offers high processing limit. Those timeshares businesses with a chargeback rate of more than 1% are denied accounts. You should look for a merchant account that offers tools to reduce the risk of chargebacks.

Timeshares business should seek a merchant account that is trustworthy and offer the best rates. There are many strategies that can help you lower chargebacks. Effective sales and marketing methods, direct processing, and keeping records can reduce the risk.

Merchant Stronghold is familiar with many credit card processors and scenarios. We offer low rates to our timeshares business owners so that they can process credit cards without having to follow bank to bank approval. We can help you by finding credit card processors best suited for your terms, conditions, and rates. Before providing you services, we inform you of the advantages and disadvantages so that you are aware of possible risks and benefits. We work with businesses and individuals so that they can get the best solution. Merchant stronghold provides education so that you are satisfied with the outcome.

Follow Few Steps for A Secure Merchant Account

This is for a business owner, it’s stressful that merchant account will go to rejection. A contradiction might make you question to your business existence. In fact, denial of an entire channel of payment processing probably crippling impact on business.

DEPEND ON CREDIT HISTORY

A provider has checked the personal credit history of customer i.e. revealing trouble of paying bills. A merchant services provider does not want to get on a customer who can view as a susceptibility, even if a customer that pay in a good proceeding of profit will have to reduce the value to a bad credit history.

NOT DEPEND ON YOUR BUSINESS TYPE

A merchant will be labeled as a High-Risk Business and High Risk commit to a raised percentage of chargebacks, it can solely point to the published brand blended with the type of business. When a customer attempts to chargebacks to pay back his credit for one reason or another. The method of fighting chargebacks needs some time and if the merchant loses chargebacks, then it costs everyone who associated.

TO CREATE A SECURE MERCHANT ACCOUNT TIPS

If business owner looking for a Secure Merchant Account follow these steps:

Create a Business Required Strategy- 

Before reaching merchant services, Recognize some circumstances:

Should be looking which payment type preferred by customers.

Which you prefer for order and transactions i.e. phone order or online transactions.

You are providing recurring fees support system.

Above factors will help you to determine the best type of merchant account for business. A merchant may need to a secure payment gateway for their business to take securely order at over day and i.e. integrate with website. If you willing to recurring monthly payment then you should able to take Automated Clearing House payments.

Comparing Option should be the start

You may research the market and their find at least ones that give you an idea to make enticing for your business. When you appoint a salesman and talking about your product who agrees on low processing fees, you should ask yourself how they can manage to obtain it so low? The real risk of low budget companies when sacrificing on quality and trouble with satisfaction can take businesses down.

Able to Setting it up and Moving Better

By the way, this is different from determining a business leader, for a powerful way to grow their business and moving instantly. Sometimes a merchant takes so many days to fulfill every step included with getting account activation. But if you had a planned to set up your business, may take minimum time to become the business track.

Cyber Security tips to protect your Online Small Business

Broadband аnd information technology аrе powerful factors in small businesses reaching nеw markets аnd increasing productivity аnd efficiency. However, businesses nееd a cybersecurity strategy tо protect the thеir оwn high-risk business, thеir customers, аnd thеir data frоm growing cybersecurity threats.

Train employees in security principles:

Establish basic security practices аnd policies fоr employees, ѕuсh аѕ requiring strong passwords, аnd establish аррrорriаtе Internet uѕе guidelines thаt detail penalties fоr violating company cybersecurity policies. Also, rules оf behavior describing hоw tо handle аnd protect customer information аnd оthеr vital data.

Protect information, computers аnd networks frоm cyber-attacks:

Kеер clean machines: hаving thе latest security software, web browser, аnd operating system аrе thе bеѕt defenses аgаinѕt viruses, malware, аnd оthеr online threats. Set antivirus software tо run a scan аftеr еасh update. Install оthеr key software updates аѕ ѕооn аѕ thеу аrе available.

Provide firewall security fоr уоur Internet connection:

A firewall iѕ a set оf related programs thаt prevent outsiders frоm accessing data оn a private network. Make ѕurе thе operating system’s firewall iѕ enabled оr install free firewall software available online.

Create a mobile device action plan:

Mobile devices саn create significant security аnd management challenges, еѕресiаllу if thеу hold confidential information оr саn access thе corporate network. Require users tо password protect thеir devices, encrypt thеir data, аnd install security apps tо prevent criminals frоm stealing information whilе thе phone iѕ оn public networks. Bе ѕurе tо set reporting procedures fоr lost оr stolen equipment.

Make backup copies оf important business data аnd information:

Regularly backup thе data оn аll computers. Critical data includes word processing documents, electronic spreadsheets, databases, financial files, human resources files, аnd accounts receivable/payable files. Backup data automatically if possible, оr аt lеаѕt weekly аnd store thе copies еithеr offsite оr in thе cloud.

Control physical access tо уоur computers аnd create user accounts fоr еасh employee:

Prevent access оr uѕе оf business computers bу unauthorized individuals. Laptops саn bе раrtiсulаrlу easy targets fоr theft оr саn bе lost, ѕо lock thеm uр whеn unattended. Make ѕurе a separate user account iѕ created fоr еасh employee аnd require strong passwords. Administrative privileges ѕhоuld оnlу bе givеn tо trusted IT staff аnd key personnel.

• Secure уоur Wi-Fi networks
• Employ bеѕt practices оn payment cards
• Limit employee access tо data аnd information, limit authority tо install software
• Passwords аnd authentication

If you want more information Cyber Security related you can contact us - +1 (888) 622-6875.

Online Merchant Account for Identity Restoration Business

Are you running an Identity Restoration Business? Few things should know for an online merchant account. You require a merchant account to accept credit card and debit card payments. Your merchant account works as a bridge between your bank account and the customer's bank. When you get a merchant account, you are required to take after standards and controls set up with the credit card companies and your bank. This incorporates the number of fees related to both the accounts.

Fees associated with a merchant account

Cancellation fee: It is charged when you send your contract with an online merchant account before the due date of your contract. Not all the providers require a contract, but those who have this police ask for the cancellation fee.

Chargeback fee:

When money is returned to the customer. This fee is initiated by the bank of your customer, often because of fraudulent transactions. Chargeback is one of the reasons why merchants around the globe lose thousands of dollars. It is a fee that merchant account providers take for processing the chargeback request.

Gateway Fee:

It is a monthly fee to keep your merchant account. This fee is the charge to maintain your online merchant account. Some online payment gateways don’t charge money, while others may charge as much as $20.

Monthly minimum:

This is the amount your account is required to process on monthly basis. The fee is charged to maintain the account, but if you don’t exceed the minimum, then merchant account providers will charge you accordingly.

Statement fee:

A statement fee is charged by all the online merchant account providers. This fee is associated with your statement and it is taken at the end of the billing cycle. You will pay between $7 and $10. It is charged when you get a paper base or paperless statement.

Transaction fee:

As the name suggests, it is a fee that is charged every time a transaction is processed. Usually, it is between 20 and 25 cents. This fee remains the same no matter how big the transaction was.

Merchant Stronghold understands that your Identity Restoration services require customized account so that you can run your business flexible.

Now Easily Get A High-Risk Merchant Account

High-risk Merchant Account

All kinds of financial institutions process money. And when it comes to processing money. They are followed by regulators to classify merchants as low risk, medium risk, and high-risk merchants. Payment processor will never accept you when they think you process high risk and there are chances that they will lose money. And even if they accept you they will charge very high transaction discount rate.

There are a few reasons why your business can be a high-risk business. Few reasons are:

• Questionable sales and marketing tactics
• You have lost your previous merchant account due to high chargeback ratio.
• Potential legal and financial liability
• An industry is known for excessive chargebacks or fraud incidents
• Your credit is really bad.
• Trial continuity business
• Also, you’ve been branded as the terminated merchant (TMF).
• Previous credit card processing is not good enough

OBTAINING HIGH-RISK MERCHANT ACCOUNT

If you are not getting the merchant account, don’t worry. There are providers who are specialized in providing gateways to the high-risk account. So, it may be a little more expansive, you may need to agree to a high rolling reserve or you may need to send more documents during the onboarding process but you’ll be able to get the payment gateway. Therefore, you need to find who is able to cooperate with you. We at Merchant Stronghold love to cooperate with merchants that have a high-risk business category.

DOS AND DON’TS:

Read your contract carefully: Most processors will make you sign the merchant processing agreement. Read the entire contract carefully. Pay attention to fee, terminations, restrictions and all other things.

Ensure that all the online transactions are protected by encrypted server transactions. Generally, payment processors are backed by large security and technology companies to ensure all their accounts are safe and transactions are secure. That’s a good sign.

Selecting the payment processor: If you are a high-risk merchant, it does not mean that you need to settle for less. Hence, choose the PSP carefully who is ready to negotiate with you.

Your processor should offer online viewing and reports. instead traditionally mailed transaction reports. That way, you can keep track of your transactions and reports.

Why Important Merchant Account for your Credit Repair Business

Having a high-risk business or high-risk merchant account can be very demanding and challenging, to begin with. It might be very hard for you to process payments properly due to the high fees and other challenges. However, just because you have a high-risk business.

The idea of having a credit repair business is that many gateway providers will see this as a high risk. It isn’t really coming with the highest possible risk, but there are plenty of challenges to be had here and you should think about that the best way you can.

Should you get a high-risk merchant account despite the potential issues that might appear? Yes, because you can either do that or you can opt for an offshore merchant account. Either one works, the idea is to just find the best options that suit your needs and which delivers the utmost value for your money. You have to keep in mind that the main focus here is on finding a good payment processor and lowering the amount you have to pay in the end. It can be tricky to do that because all payment processing solution services out there will ask for a transaction amount, so you need to put things into perspective and see what works for you.

Granted, it can be a challenge to own a good credit repair business with online payments, but this is a very important portion of such a company, to begin with. You might not need a credit card terminal, but you do require a high-risk merchant account or even a regular merchant account. There are many providers that will be able to help you in this regard. You just need to stay fully committed and focused on results because that’s what matters the most in the end.

A Fact

You have to keep in mind the fact that setting up a merchant account with a credit repair business is very tricky, so you should oversee all potential expenses to begin with. That’s what really makes the experience worth it, the fact that you can perform and receive online payments without a problem. This is very important for any credit repair business, which is why opting for the best merchant payment processing solution is crucial to say the least.

US Merchant Account If you are Non-Resident of USA

Today, organizations are extending their range to the worldwide level that is helping them to develop at a much faster. This explanation of business has been observed due to the advent of technology. Technology also has help businesses to create a point of sale that can be accessed from anywhere in the world and customers can order online and pay through their cards.

In any case, one issue that business can face if they don't have experience of selling and sending products to different nations is their lack of physical presence in that country. As every one of the nations has their own laws and requirements for beginning a merchant account. In any case, in this article, we will discuss just the requirement and approaches to get a merchant account for a business that isn't registered in the United States and likes to sell their products in the Country.

The basic requirement of getting a merchant account in the U.S.

• The business needs to have a registered “Doing Business As” name (DBA) that proves that the business is incorporated in the United States.
• A physical address of the business that an applicant must provide.
• A bank account in the U.S. Bank should be registered in the name of the applicant’s name.

These are must require details an applicant needs to provide while applying for the merchant account in the United States.

But, a business that is registered in any other country have one option is to set up a corporation with the U.S. based company by signing a contract with them, stating that the company incorporation will act as the company of U.S. that handles the entire sales, shipping and collecting payment process of the business done in the United States. This type of incorporation will work. But one that comes with incorporation is adding a business partner in the working, which much business may not like to deal with.

You need an agent

While starting the business process in the United States or any other foreign country. Business should have a good amount of customer base. This will be worth enough for the business to cop up with the costing of doing business internationally.

There are companies like Merchant Stronghold. In the United States, we can help businesses to set a merchant account.