There are many companies that do not always operate from an office. Sometimes the nature of their business means that sales people spend much of their time out on the road seeing clients, sourcing new business or visiting trade shows. Some small retail businesses start out from home-based garages and use local festivals, events or flea markets as places where they can sell and promote their products. Many of these businesses operate on a cash basis and sometime lose out on business because they do not have the facilities to accept credit cards. What they don’t realize it that you need not have a storefront in order to be a credit card merchant. Indeed, becoming a merchant could be the thing that gives your business the sales boost it needs so you can progress to having a storefront location or outlet.

What Is Involved in Becoming a Card Merchant?

In order to become a card processing merchant, you will need to complete a credit profile and have a valid bank account. You will also need to select a card processing company that can facilitate the transactions on your behalf. This involves setting up a payment gateway which is usually a card processing device and setting up a merchant account through the card processing company. The card processing company facilitates the transfer of funds from your customers’ credit card accounts into your bank account. For this service, they charge a basic admin and commission fee on each transaction processed.

What Mobile Card Processing Devices Are Available?

Thanks to advances in technology, it is becoming increasingly easy for retail stores and businesses to process credit card transactions. Cellular and wireless technology facilitates communicate between the processing systems which means that it is possible to process card transactions in a remote location or while you are on the move. There are several processing devices that are available to card merchants.

An example of a small hand-held device that has a swipe and print facility is the NURIT 8020 device. You can store card information on the device and upload and process transactions remotely. It operates via a wireless connection and has an integrated pin pad and mini printer. A similar system that has a card swipe facility is the WaySystems MTT1531. This device looks like a cellphone and can have a print facility as well. It is compact and easy to use which makes it ideal for a mobile location.

You can also use your cellular phone to process credit card transactions. If you have a touch tone pad, you can key in the card number and details and obtain an authorization within minutes. The advantage of this is that you can use your existing cellphone. There is no need to purchase any additional equipment which makes it the most cost-effective merchant solution.

There are also scanning systems that can be integrated with your existing mobile phone or laptop. The WePay SC30 is a scanning device that links up to your cellphone and processes transactions while you wait. It is convenient because you are using one device for card processing as well as making calls. The scanning device offers added security and verification of the card details. A similar scanning device can be linked up to your laptop. You can process credit card transactions through a virtual terminal and obtain authorizations while you wait. This system can be integrated with other accounting or inventory systems on your computer.

Security Awareness When Becoming a Card Processing Merchant

Many small businesses are concerned about risks involved with credit card fraud. While this a reality, compared to having a register full of cash, it is far less risky. The best prevention is to be aware of the risks and proactive in taking adequate security measures. When you become a card merchant, your major concern is protecting the client and transaction data that is processed. Card processing merchant service providers have to adhere to certain industry security codes and will already have security measures integrated into the processing system. In addition, you can strengthen your security by having anti-virus and other security measures integrated into your operating and computer systems. On a practical note, always keep your card processing device in a secure place. Many mobile devices are small enough to keep in a pocket, briefcase or handbag which means that you can keep it on your person when going out on sales calls.

At Card Processing Pros.com we provide credit card processing and debit card processing, literally setting up hundreds of clients per month to process card payments for storefront, Internet and phone/mail order-based businesses. We also offer services in electronic check and gift card processing. Visit online today.