As a small business owner, you must remain vigilant against credit card fraud. Though most headlines focus on data breaches at major retail chains, small businesses are vulnerable, too. Small businesses can shore up their credit card processing security measures by doing two things.
The first measure is to ensure that you comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Created by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB in 2006, this standard requires that businesses meet certain criteria to ensure their transactions are as secure as they can be.
The second action is to upgrade your card reader to accept EMV (Europay, Mastercard and Visa) chip cards. Most credit cards have a chip embedded into one end of the card, and having the technology to read it makes the transaction significantly more secure, because the chip is harder to counterfeit than the standard magnetic strip.
How Can You Avoid Credit Card Processing Fees?
Credit card processing companies rely on fees to make their money, so there’s no way to completely eliminate credit card processing fees. If you feel that you’re paying too much in fees, you can negotiate with credit card processors to reduce them. If you can accept cards in person instead of over the phone or online, you’ll also save money on fees.
Another option is to set a minimum transaction amount that customers must meet before they can pay with a credit card. By doing this, you can ensure you come out on top of the transaction, since it makes more financial sense to pay the fee on a $10 purchase than a $2 one. The major credit card networks have rules about minimum transaction amounts, so verify that your policy complies with their rules.
Similarly, you can move the fee to your customers entirely by using cash discounts or surcharging. Many gas stations use this method, where a gallon of gas is discounted if you pay with cash. Though this may cause potential customers to take their business elsewhere, it could encourage people who prefer paying with cash to frequent your store more often. If you go this route, check the credit card networks’ rules for surcharging to ensure you follow best practices.
How Much Are Credit Card Processing Fees for Consumers?
Consumers usually don’t pay credit card processing fees. Some processors advertise surcharging programs that pass processing fees to your customers, but these programs aren’t popular with consumers, and it could be risky for you.
Before implementing such a program, you need to know your customers and determine if they would accept it or if it would lead them to shop elsewhere. As mentioned above, the credit card networks have rules for surcharging that you must follow.
How Long Can a Merchant Hold an Authorization?
Authorization holds vary depending on the status of the transaction and the card issuer’s self-imposed time limits. For most transactions, a merchant has up to 30 days to clear an authorization hold, though some credit card companies like Visa and Discover have significantly shorter time limits before such authorizations “fall off” the account. By failing to complete a transaction hold, you run the risk of being charged a misuse fee by the credit card processing company.
What Are the Typical Credit Card Processing Fees?
Credit card processors charge a variety of fees. Some are etched in stone; others are negotiable. On the non-negotiable front is the interchange fee. It’s the fee charged by card-issuing banks on every transaction made with their credit cards. That fee is passed on to the merchant. The amount charged is based on what type of credit card the customer uses, whether the transaction is in person or online, and the amount of the purchase. The riskier the payment method is, the more you’ll pay in interchange fees.
The assessment or service fee is another non-negotiable cost. Payment processors must pay it to the card networks, and they pass that fee on to the merchant.
The payment processor’s markup is the fee you can negotiate, depending on your vendor. This is the fee the payment processor charges to use its services.
What Should I Look for in a Credit Card Processor?
When looking for a credit card processor that is right for you and your business, consider the fees the processor charges, the terms of the contract, and the service it provides. You don’t want to be stuck with a payment processor that doesn’t have live customer support or is impossible to reach when you have a problem. You also want one that will work with you to ensure you remain PCI compliant, that offers EMV-supported card readers and that accepts multiple payment methods.
What Pricing Structures Are Available for Credit Card Processing?
There are three main credit card processing models: tiered pricing, interchange-plus and flat-rate pricing. With tiered pricing, the credit card processor charges you the interchange rate, an assessment fee, and its markup in different tiers. There are usually three tiers, but some vendors have up to six. The rates might vary by transaction type and credit card. It’s difficult to compare the costs of vendors with tiered pricing.
Interchange-plus pricing is a structure in which credit card processors charge you the interchange rate, the assessment fees and their markup. You know exactly how much you are paying for the transaction, since the markup stays the same regardless of the type of card or transaction.
With a flat-rate pricing model, the vendor charges you a fixed percentage of each sale – it doesn’t matter if your customer is using a Visa, Mastercard or any other credit card. There could also be a per-transaction fee that’s dependent on whether it was an in-person or card-not-present payment.
How Long Does It Take to Settle Credit Card Sales?
It typically takes 24 hours to three days to settle a credit card sale. It depends on the merchant account provider and the type of merchant account you have. Thanks to advances in payment technology, the turnaround to clear credit card sales is faster than it used to be.
Does online credit card processing work the same as in-store processing?
In-store and online credit card processing work in the same manner, the only difference is the consumer doesn’t swipe a credit card. Instead, he or she inputs their credit card information while checking out online. This typically includes providing the card number, expiration date, the CVV number and the shopper’s billing address. Most credit card processors support both in-person and online payments. The latter is becoming more important as e-commerce and mobile commerce become more popular.
Should I avoid tiered credit card processor pricing?
Most of the time, the answer is yes. With tiered pricing, credit card processors bundle the interchange rate, assessment fees and markup into one pricing plan. Because it is bundled together, it’s difficult to tell what you are paying for each item. It also makes it hard to comparison shop. Unless the vendor is willing to break out its fees, it’s best to avoid a tiered pricing structure.
Did the COVID-19 pandemic have any impact on how small businesses accept payments?
Without a doubt, the pandemic had a big impact on how consumers pay for products and services. Before the onset of COVID-19, contactless and digital payments were a nice add-on. A convivence that was more novelty than anything else. But once the pandemic struck, and staying apart was the norm, contactless payments became vital. Same for mobile payments and online shopping. Small businesses were forced to adapt by acquiring contactless payment terminals, accepting different digital and mobile payment methods, and embracing e-commerce as the main way to conduct business.
The pandemic also made cryptocurrency more popular with consumers in the U.S. and around the globe. It is now becoming a payment method at a handful of large restaurant chains and retailers, including Burger King, KFC, New Egg, AMC and Microsoft. Mastercard is also getting involved, making it easier for small business merchants to accept bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The payment company recently inked a deal with Bakkt, the crypto digital wallet company, to offer that ability as well as to build loyalty and reward programs around cryptocurrencies.
When it comes to credit card processing, what are the steps involved?
Processing a credit card payment is the same for most product categories and business types. It starts with the customer selecting an item to purchase. The credit card he or she is paying with is then swiped, scanned or inputted into a payment terminal. The data is then transmitted to be approved. Once it goes through the authorization, which happens in seconds, the transaction will either go through or be declined. If there are enough funds to cover it, the transaction is authorized and completed. The merchant closes out all the credit card transactions at the end of the day. The credit card processor’s acquiring bank then gets to work collecting the money from the credit card issuers. The sales are then deposited into the merchant’s bank account, typically in two days or less.
IS SOCIAL MEDIA DRIVING SALES FOR SMALL MERCHANTS?
Social media is becoming a popular way to shop. During the pandemic, it was a necessity. Now, it’s a convenience many consumers have grown accustomed to. It makes sense. Billions of people spend hours each day checking their Facebook or Instagram feeds and logging on to Google. A recent Square survey of consumers found that among social media platforms, shoppers favor Facebook, Instagram, and Google over everyone else. Facebook is the undisputed leader, with 75% of Square Online Checkout links coming from the popular social network. Merchants have also seen an uptick in activity from Instagram minisites.
Why do credit card processors offer high-risk merchant accounts?
Not all credit card processors work with every business. Industries that are prone to fraud and chargebacks can have a tougher time finding a payments company to process its sales. There are ones that will work with high-risk businesses, but they charge more for their services to mitigate some of the risk. They call their accounts high-risk merchant accounts and charge you more in processing and chargeback fees.
Which businesses do credit card processors consider high-risk?
When it comes to which industries a credit card processor deems risky, it runs the gambit from tobacco to gambling. Other industries a credit card processor may not work with include pawn shops, subscription services, alcohol sales and firearm dealers, among many others.
