What is an eCommerce merchant account?
In 2024, retail eCommerce sales in the United States are projected to reach $1.1 trillion, reflecting a significant growth from previous years. This equates to about 16% of all retail transactions in the US, a major growth from previous years.
In the world of online business, choosing the right eCommerce merchant account is crucial. It’s not just about processing payments; it’s about ensuring security, efficiency, and a seamless customer experience.
An eCommerce merchant account is a type of bank account specifically designed to allow businesses to accept and process payments from customers online. This account acts as an intermediary between your business, the customer, and the financial institutions involved in the transaction.
Do you need a merchant account for an eCommerce website?
Yes, you generally need a merchant account for eCommerce to accept and process online payments securely and efficiently. A merchant account acts as an intermediary between your business and the payment processor, facilitating the transfer of funds from your customers’ bank accounts to your business account. This account is essential for handling various payment methods, including credit and debit cards.
Additionally, a merchant account helps ensure transactions are processed securely and provides fraud protection, contributing to a safer shopping experience for your customers.
Some businesses opt for payment service providers like PayPal or Stripe because they are easier to setup. However, many business owners reporting having issues with these types of accounts. Some of these issues include:
- Higher Transaction Fees: Payment service providers often charge higher transaction fees compared to traditional merchant accounts.
- Less Personalized Customer Support: Providers like PayPal and Stripe are designed to serve a vast number of businesses, which can result in less personalized customer support. You may find it challenging to get tailored assistance or quick resolutions for specific issues related to your account or payment processing.
- Limited Customization: While PayPal and Stripe offer easy integration, they may lack the level of customization and specialized features that a service like Process Payments Now can provide.
- Hold on Funds: Payment service providers sometimes place holds on funds, especially for new accounts or unusual transactions. This can impact your cash flow, making it harder to manage finances effectively.
- Potential for Account Freezes: There have been instances where businesses have had their accounts frozen by PayPal or Stripe without prior notice, due to perceived risks or compliance issues. This can disrupt your operations significantly, as accessing your funds becomes difficult during the freeze period.
What is the best merchant account for online businesses?
Choosing a merchant services provider can be tough. While there are a ton of options, the best eCommerce merchant account is Process Payments Now. We offer competitive pricing for taking payments online. In addition to great pricing, we offer US-based support that is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.
At Process Payments Now, we take fraud prevention very seriously. Our team has built robust tools to protect your business from potential fraud when taking payments online.
If you are looking for a payment processor for your online business, look no further than Process Payments Now. Our team is ready to get you setup so you can take payments easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for an eCommerce merchant account with Process Payments Now?
It is easy to get setup with an eCommerce merchant account with Process Payments Now. Every online business is different, we recommend booking a call with one of our payment experts to tell us more about your business so we can help make sure we set you up with the right tools for your business. Once you have talked to a payment expert, you can complete our online application and your account will be submitted to our underwriting team for approval. Once you are approved your payment expert will setup your account and provide you with your credentials for your new merchant account.
What are the fees associated with an eCommerce merchant account?
Unlike other merchant services companies, we do not believe in hidden fees. With online merchant accounts, fees will vary based on the type of products you sell and the risk factors associated with your business. The exact costs can vary based on your business type, transaction volume, and other factors. If you are ready to get your personalized quote, speak to a member of our team to get started.
How long does it take to get approved for a merchant account?
Approval times can vary, but typically it takes between 1 to 5 business days once we receive all necessary documentation. In some cases, we can get approvals within 4 business hours. We strive to make the process as quick and seamless as possible.
What types of payments can I accept with this account?
With a Process Payments Now merchant account, you can accept a variety of payment methods, including credit cards and debit cards. If your business is interested, we can even help you accept ACH payments. We also support payments from major providers like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and more.
Is there any support available for setting up the account and integrating it with my eCommerce platform?
Yes, we offer comprehensive support to help you set up your account and integrate it with your eCommerce platform. We have a team dedicated to setting up your integrations with your current website. We have one step integrations with most eCommerce platforms including Shopify, WooCommerce and more. Our team is available to assist with any technical issues and provide guidance to ensure smooth integration.
Are there any long-term contracts or cancellation fees?
We offer flexible terms and do not require long-term contracts. You can choose a plan that fits your business needs, and there are no cancellation fees if you decide to end the service.
Getting Started With Process Payments Now
Getting started with Process Payments Now is easy. If you are ready to get started, reach out to a payments expert on our team. We are eager to help you grow your online business with the tools and resources you need to accept payments.
