How much will it cost to setup my merchant account?

It depends. We realize this is not the answer you wanted to hear, but it is the truth. If you are trying to compare prices for obtaining a merchant account by simply comparing what you find on various Web sites, you are not comparing what it will really cost you to get your merchant account! The truth is that there are several factors that are considered when determining the actual rates you will pay. Some of these factors are:

• Your credit rating
• How long you have been in business
• The type of business you operate
• The types of products and/or services you sell
• The total monthly bankcard volume for your business
• The number of monthly bankcard transactions for your business

A merchant bankcard account is an extension of credit to you and your business by the acquiring bank that processes your account. To accurately estimate the rates you will pay, you must ask each company for a quote. Also, remember that these initial quotes are estimates based on the information that you provide and the actual cost can only be determined after the bank has actually processed your application.

Have you noticed that many sites that offer merchant accounts also have an online information form for you to complete to obtain more information? This is because you must provide some information about you and your business so that the initial quote will be as accurate as possible before actually completing and submitting your application. The more accurate and detailed the information that you provide, the more accurate your initial quote will be.

I have just started a new Internet-based business out of my home. Will I be able to obtain a merchant account?

Yes, you probably will. Just because you have a new business does not automatically mean that you cannot obtain a merchant account. RS Marketing specializes in the needs of the Internet-based business merchant. We will assist you through the entire application process and help answer your questions to make your new site an e-commerce success. Apply Now

I already have a merchant account for my retail business. Do I need another one for my Internet business?

Yes. A merchant account is associated with the discount and per transaction fees paid for processing credit cards. Since Internet credit card transactions are charged at a higher rate than in-store retail transactions, a separate account is required for Internet sales.

How long will it take to process my application?

Your application will be processed within 48 hours from the time it is received by the acquiring bank that will process your application. This is the time you may have seen quoted on many Web sites that advertise quick application turnaround times.

However, you should also understand that processing your application is only one part of the process of actually obtaining your merchant account. Other factors that need to be considered are the time it takes you to complete the application and mail delivery times.

Regardless of where you apply, you should allow 5-10 business days to get your merchant account.

Do you provide merchant accounts for businesses located outside the United States?

Yes, we do! However, certain requirements must be met:

• You must have an active Web site located within the US
• Your business must have a US mailing address
• Your business must have a US checking account listing the above mailing address

Visit our non-US merchant account page for more information regarding our rates and services.

What are all the components I need to accept credit cards at my Web site?

The following are the minimum requirements you will need to have in place for a fully operational e-commerce site:

• Web site
• Merchant account
• Payment system/gateway for real-time credit card processing (like CyberCash or Authorize.Net, which are usually included with the merchant account)

In addition to these minimum requirements, you should consider whether you may need or want the following:

• Secure server
• Shopping cart

A secure server is a requirement for almost every shopping cart.

Do I need a secure server?

If you intend to operate a shopping cart on your site you will need a secure server. However, some sites with only one or two products may not need a shopping cart and may also not need a secure server. If you use the services of a third-party shopping cart service that actually hosts the shopping cart on their servers, you will not need a secure server.

Some payment systems, like Authorize.Net which we recommend, do not require a secure server or secure server certificates since all secure transactions may be conducted on the gateway servers. This feature can help to minimize your costs and make setting up your site much less complicated. Of course, you can have your own secure server and still use it with the gateway servers.

There are two types of secure server installations--shared and private. A shared secure server is provided by your Web host provider and allows you to share their server certificate within their domain name space. A private secure server uses your own server certificate and allows you to maintain your Web pages within your own domain space (example: yourdomain.com).

If you are not certain whether or not you will need a secure server, send us an email at sales@rsmarketing.com explaining your situation and we will be glad to offer assistance.

Contact your Web host provider for information on the availability and cost of shared or private secure server configurations.

How can I learn more about e-commerce and merchant accounts?

Electronic commerce is a new and exciting technology with tremendous profit potential for Internet-based merchants. However, as with all new technology, there are many features that tend to make it complicated or confusing for business owners wanting to utilize e-commerce.

This is why we have published e-Tips, the e-commerce newsletter specifically written for Web site owners. E-Tips is a free newsletter. Subscribe to e-Tips.

I have a question that wasn't answered here. How do I ask it?

We will be happy to answer your questions regarding e-commerce and our products and services. Send us an e-mail at sales@rsmarketing.com.