Most business owners know by know that the Internet isn’t going away, and if you want to succeed in business you need to have an online presence. Having a website is only the start, however. Without good merchant website SEO, chances are that the business website will never rank high enough in the search engines to make it worthwhile. Good search engine optimization practices can help stack the deck so even small business owners will have the ability to have their sites compete with the big boys.
Formatting for ideal on page SEO
The way an article or web page is formatted on the site can make a big difference when it comes to ranking in the search engines. One of the worst kept secrets is that Google has hired human quality readers, and formatting a webpage to be well organized and easy to read makes a big difference now when it comes to ranking well for keywords.
This means several things for how a website owner needs to design how their page looks. Informational pages need to include plenty of subheadings, bullet points, lists, and short paragraphs. Think “reader friendly.” Pages should be easy to scan and never appear as block paragraphs.
When looking at a retail page that’s mostly products, merchant website SEO work can be a little bit more challenging. It’s a good idea to stay away from iframes, which lead to outgoing link saturation and also isn’t the best way to present a large number of products. All products should have varied descriptions to add in as much relevant and original text as possible.
Carefully using keywords
Keywords remain a very important aspect of SEO for any website. The key is to walk that fine line between making sure to use enough keywords and a good variety of related keywords versus not using too many. While the numbers vary from one expert to another, it’s generally agreed that it’s not good to go above 2% of text on any page being one keyword.
The other important way that keywords on a page of text can help increase rankings is where they appear. The main keyword the site owner wants to rank for should be located in the title of the page or article. In the text itself that means a well optimized page will have the keyword in the first paragraph, often in the very first sentence. One or two variations of that keyword phrase should be used in the middle of the text and then once again in the last paragraph.
Do backlinks still matter?
One of the strongest ways to boost website rankings is still to get backlinks from related websites. Good merchant site SEO means finding specialty blogs or related sites that might naturally link to the site. There is some controversy with the practice of backlinking because intentionally manipulating backlinks can result in the website actually losing rank.
The best way to boost SEO with backlinks is to offer a good guest blog post to a related site. Give them some quality writing, and link back just using your URL or the actual name of the website. Doing this keeps it legitimate, gives an SEO boost to the merchant site, and helps avoid any search engine ranking penalties.
When observing large, Fortune 500 companies from the outside, small and medium size business owners often wonder what it is that makes them so successful. There are several factors that comprise the answer to this question, and one must be careful not to get overwhelmed or discouraged by its complexity. The remainder of this article will focus on one crucial aspect that can start these small businesses on the path to the prosperity that they seek.
Merchant Services Conference
In this day and age, information is key to the success of businesses of every size. This is why business owners looking to get the competitive edge over their rivals may want to consider attending what is referred to as a merchant services conference. The information that can be gleaned at one of these conferences may prove to be invaluable to the business owner as well as any employees that may attend. Following are some of the opportunities that are typically available during one of theses conferences.
Networking
Networking plays a major role in the success of a business. These conferences provide companies with an opportunity to network with some of the best business minds from all different types of industries. Forming these new and lasting relationships could prove to be extremely beneficial for the future growth of a business that is trying to expand.
Previewing the Latest Technology
With the world moving so quickly in this age of technology, it is important that businesses keep updated on the latest advances. Finding out about technologies that could enhance the efficiency and productivity of a business is never a bad discovery. In the ever-changing world of technology, it can be difficult to stay current. Attending one of these conferences is a great way for business owners to discover new technology that could completely change the way their business operates. This is such a convenient means of gleaning information for business owners, since all the information is compiled for them.
Upcoming Events
One major annual event in the credit card processing industry is the ETA Annual Meeting and Expo. This year the event will roll in to New Orleans April 30 through May 2 and promises to be even bigger this year with nearly 200 exhibitors and over 3000 industry executives. The show highlights new trends in the industry and some of the top executives in the business.
Marketing Ideas
With the market being so competitive in every industry these days, business owners could benefit from newer and more engaging marketing ideas. This topic typically comprises a large portion of the conference. Learning how these cutting edge marketing ideas can impact their market and close sales can definitely maximize the bottom line of any business trying to expand. It is also worth mentioning that these ideas are usually coming directly from the pros of marketing.
In conclusion if a business owner is looking to reach for new heights and expand the maximum potential of their business, they should consider attending a merchant services conference. Whether it is a B2B or B2C business, it would be a wise decision to take advantage of the wealth of information that these conferences can provide.
Loyalty cards are an important part of modern business when it comes to payment processing. As e-business becomes more prolific and consumers have more options available, it becomes vital to retain repeat customers. Attracting new customers is just as important. Perks go a long way to doing both. Loyalty card processing can provide coupons, gift cards, discounts, and other features. Things that make customers want to come back for more business.
Attracting and retaining customers can be difficult without simply cutting prices – not always an option in an increasingly hostile economy. Loyalty cards and gift cards drive customers to return to your place of business without cutting into your bottom line. Consumers are more likely to return with a loyalty card in hand than they are without one. Why? They help build relationships with your target demographic. People feel appreciated when their business is rewarded, which in turn drives sales. Strengthening customer loyalty is the key to keeping them coming in your door instead of going to your competition.
Loyalty cards also allow you to step into the arena of targeted marketing. Every sale your customers make with your loyalty card enables the collection of data – what sorts of people buy what sorts of products, for instance. This knowledge can be invaluable. Even a little insight into your customers’ habits can enable you fill their needs better.
In addition to the obvious benefit of repeat business, loyalty cards also encourage increased spending. Most loyalty programs are dependent on a percentage of sales; e.g., after a certain dollar-value of money is spent, a reward is given. Even in the case of direct discounts (such as a card that saves cardholders 5% each visit), greater savings are observed as more money is spent. It’s a great way to encourage your customers to spend more with you.
Gift cards are another great device for boosting sales. Panicked gift-buyers know one thing – they want to leave your business with a gift, even if they aren’t sure what they want. Gift cards are a great answer to the problem and they safeguard that an unsure customer won’t walk away from your business empty-handed. Gift cards also provide immediate cash flow up front. Each card purchased is money in your pocket, and peace of mind for your customers.
Even after purchase, gift cards can help drive sales. Since they are usually given – as the name implies – as gifts, they bring new customers to your business (and another chance to sell your loyalty card). Most consumers who use gift cards spend more than the value of the card. This translates into more profit for your business.
We live in a digital age. Loyalty card processing and gift card processing are facts of life for modern businesses. Enhancing your point-of-sale transactions with profit-boosting electronic features is important to stay competitive. Attracting consumers with gift cards and keeping them with loyalty programs are cheap, effective ways of boosting your business.
If your website runs an online store so that it can sell merchandise to customers, there are several methods that you can use to sell your product to the customer. However, the most efficient method of getting customers to buy your products easily is to use a shopping cart. There are many benefits to shopping cart templates.
Benefits of the Shopping Cart
When a website decides to sell a whole catalog of items, they will typically make it easier for customers to buy multiple items by allowing them to use a virtual shopping cart that will store all of their items until they decide to check out. It would be a hassle to have customers buy items one at a time, and the shopping cart eliminates this difficulty. It is common practice to make it as easy as possible for customers to purchase goods so that they don’t change their mind.
Not only does it make it easier on the customer, but on the credit card processing company as well. Shopping carts can be used to create a list of items that need to be shipped out on your end. This is a lot easier than going through one item at a time and matching it with the customer ID so that you can send it off to the correct place.
Coupons and Deals
The shopping cart idea also allows for the use of complex coupons and deals. For example, if you have a buy two get one item free sale, the shopping cart keeps track of the amount of items that the customer buys and will be able to implement the deal without any outside work. It not only keeps track of the amount of items that the customer buys, but can keep track of the total money spent that can be used for other deals. Without the shopping cart, it would be difficult to track this information.
Adding Items
It is really easy to add items to your product list with a shopping cart. If you have a quality shopping cart template, you will be able to enter this information into your website very quickly. If you have a website that is constantly changing the products or services that it offers, this could be vital.
Creating Your Shopping Cart
It can take a lot of work to construct a shopping cart from scratch, so you can save time by using shopping cart templates. These templates already have all the graphics and coding completed, and are easy to use. You will be able to quickly learn how to place the cart on your own website, add and remove items that the customers can buy, place in deals and coupon codes, and every other aspect of the cart.
Once implemented, customers will be able to use it to keep track of their items. They can then proceed to a checkout menu and enter in their information that will send the payment to your account, and give you detailed information about the placed order.
Conclusion
Customers are much more likely to purchase from an easy to use website that specializes in simplicity rather than a website that they need to adapt to. This is a waste of their time…so increase your sales and reduce wasted time by using a shopping cart for your online store today!
Visa’s New Zero Dollar Authorization Helps Merchants Keep Consumers Happy
Many merchants that offer free trials and accept credit cards via the Internet, phone and fax, perform what is commonly referred to as a one dollar authorization on Visa credit cards and debit cards with the Visa logo before approving a customer for a free trial, subscription service or future charge. Now, merchants who accept credit cards and debit cards with the Visa logo online can run a zero dollar authorization instead.
In the past, running a one dollar authorization was the only way that merchants that accept cards via the Internet, phone or fax could verify that a credit card or debit card was valid and that the cardholder is who they say they are. Due to on-going problems, Visa announced its plan to allow merchants to begin running zero dollar authorizations instead.
The decision to allow merchants to run what Visa refers to as “ghost” authorizations came after finding that their dollar authorization program was prompting calls and complaints from consumers. Many consumers call Visa, banks and merchants directly after finding a charge on their statement for what is supposed to be a free trial. Even if the charge is expected to drop off the statement in the future, many consumers disapprove of the charge for a service or product they have not yet decided to buy.
In some cases, the transaction never drops off and the consumer winds up paying a dollar even if he or she decides to cancel the trial. This led to additional problems for merchants, banks and Visa. By the time the consumer calls the merchant directly to find out why his or her Visa credit card or debit card has been charged, they are extremely frustrated. At the end, placing a one dollar authorization on a consumer’s credit card or debit card was causing more problems than Visa, consumers and merchants bargained for. This is one reason why Visa is now allowing merchants to process “ghost” authorizations.
Merchants were losing a tremendous amount of business. To avoid problems, merchants are now processing “Ghost” authorizations. To do this, merchants simply have to configure their payment processor to transmit and run the customer’s name, address, credit card number, expiration date and CVV number for verification. For merchants who run these transactions online, their payment processing page can be configured to run these types of verifications automatically. After running this type of authorization, merchants will know that the credit card is valid and the cardholder’s address is correct.
Visa’s zero dollar program gives merchants the added reassurance they need when accepting credit cards. The zero dollar transaction is also helping keep consumers happy. Consumers like being able to try out a product or service without feeling as though they have to make an upfront payment. Although the one dollar may not seem like much, consumers who sign up for a free trial do not expect to pay anything until their free trial period is over. This is why so many merchants are taking advantage of Visa’s new authorization.
Merchants who have started running “ghost” authorizations have fewer issues to deal with and an easier time retaining new customers. If you have not started running zero dollar authorization, then you should consider how Visa’s new program can help grow your business on and offline.
Welcome to the world of entrepreneurship! In today’s era creating and managing an eCommerce online store has become a popular way to transform your passion into a profitable venture. Whether you have a product idea or want to tap into a product category the possibilities are limitless, in the vast realm of eCommerce.
Where should you start? How can you ensure that your online store shines amidst competition? Don’t worry, because this comprehensive guide is here to assist you every step of the way. It will provide you with all the knowledge and tools to build an online store.
From selecting the right ecommerce platform and designing your website to choosing products that resonate with your target audience and implementing marketing strategies – we’ve got everything covered. So buckle up. Get ready for a journey, towards establishing your own thriving online empire!
Without further ado let’s dive in and discover how to create and manage a store that not only grabs attention but also generates unprecedented sales.
Choose the Right Ecommerce Platform
Setting up a store starts with selecting the right ecommerce platform. With a range of options, it can feel overwhelming to make a decision. However by understanding your needs and considering factors, like user-friendliness, customization options, and pricing you can narrow down your choices.
When choosing an ecommerce platform consider the size and scale of your business. If you’re starting small or don’t frequently engage in ecommerce a simple and affordable option might be suitable. On the other hand, if you have growth plans or require advanced features such as inventory management and customer segmentation opting for a more robust solution would be beneficial.
It’s important to think about how the platform integrates with tools and services that are crucial to your business operations. For example, if social media marketing plays a role in your strategy look for platforms that seamlessly integrate with social platforms.
Also, take into account the level of knowledge required to operate the chosen platform. Some platforms provide drag-and-drop website builders that make it easy, for anyone without coding experience to create their store. Others may require some HTML knowledge or professional assistance.
Keep in mind that every platform has its strengths and weaknesses when it comes to optimizing your website for search engines (SEO). Look for platforms that offer built-in SEO features, like URLs, options for optimizing tags, and page structures that are friendly to search engines.
By considering these factors and conducting research, on the various ecommerce platforms available today you’ll be able to choose one that perfectly matches your specific requirements. This will ultimately lead you towards establishing a store.
Choose a Niche and Develop a Business Plan
Selecting an area and crafting a thought-out strategy is a vital step, in establishing and operating an online shop. It’s essential to choose a niche that aligns with your passions, expertise, and market demand. The key is to find the balance where there’s both a need for your products or services and a level of popularity.
To begin identify a product category that enjoys appeal or an underserved market segment that resonates with your interests. Research thoroughly to grasp the concerns, preferences, and buying habits of your target audience. This valuable insight will enable you to tailor your products and marketing efforts
Once you’ve pinpointed your niche it’s time to create a business plan that will act as your roadmap to success. Outline clear goals, strategies, financial projections, and marketing tactics as contingency plans.
When formulating your business plan consider factors, like market conditions, competition analysis, customer acquisition costs, pricing strategy, shipping logistics, and customer support capabilities. A crafted plan will guide you through the stages of launching and expanding your online store.
Keep in mind that successful online stores possess their style and brand identity. Leverage this opportunity by offering products or delivering customer service to set yourself apart from competitors.
To achieve long-term success, in the eCommerce world, it is crucial to select the niche and create a well-thought-out business plan that caters to the specific needs of your target audience. By doing you position yourself effectively for growth and prosperity.
Plan Your Ecommerce Online Store
When it comes to launching a store one of the critical steps is carefully planning your ecommerce online store. This involves selecting the software or website builder that aligns with your business requirements and ensures a shopping experience, for your customers.
Consider the nature of the products you intend to sell and the level of customization you desire. Some platforms offer flexibility in terms of design and functionality while others may be better suited for stores with simpler needs.
Think about your target audience and their preferences. Take time to research what features and functionalities are important to them when they shop online. This will help narrow down your options and choose a platform that specifically caters to their needs.
Another crucial aspect to consider is search engine optimization (SEO). Look for platforms that come equipped with built-in SEO tools or provide ways to optimize your product pages for visibility on search engines.
In addition take into account factors such, as pricing, payment options, shipping integrations, and customer support. These elements can significantly impact the success of your store.
Lastly don’t forget about scalability. As your business expands you’ll want a platform that can handle increased traffic and sales without compromising performance.
Before you launch your store it’s important to plan your ecommerce online store. This will give you a foundation, for success in the market. Make sure to invest time in researching options and selecting the one that best aligns, with your business goals and meets the needs of your target audience.
Pick the Right Products
When it comes to running a store one of the most crucial aspects is selecting the appropriate products to sell. This decision does not affect your sales and profitability. Also determines how effectively you can attract and retain customers.
To make decisions, about which products to offer in your store conducting comprehensive market research is essential. Begin by identifying your target audience and gaining an understanding of their needs and preferences. What are they searching for? What problems do they need solutions for? By answering these questions you can discover product ideas that align with this demand.
Next, explore product categories that resonate with your target market’s interests. Are there any trending or niche items that you could leverage? Look for gaps in the market where competition’s limited but demand is high – this will give you an edge.
Another crucial factor when selecting products is whether they align with your brand identity. Your online store should have its style and values so opt for products that mirror this image.
Consider aspects such as profit margins and shipping requirements well. Ensure that the products you choose provide room, for profit while being easy to ship without incurring costs.
If you follow these steps and carefully choose the products, for your store you’ll position yourself for success, in the fiercely competitive world of ecommerce. Therefore it’s crucial to invest time in researching and assessing product options before making any conclusive choices!
Design Your Online Store
Creating an ecommerce online store business requires attention to designing your online store. It’s not, about making it look good; it’s also crucial to ensure that it is user-friendly and optimized for driving conversions.
When you design your store it’s important to consider the layout and navigation. Make sure your website is easy to navigate allowing visitors to quickly find what they’re looking for. Incorporate categories and filters to help users narrow down their search.
Another vital aspect of design is the appeal of your store. Choose a professional theme that aligns with your brand identity. Utilize high-quality product images. Provide descriptions to captivate customers.
In today’s mobile-driven world mobile responsiveness is paramount. Optimize your store for devices since more people are shopping on their smartphones or tablets than ever before. Ensure that the design seamlessly adapts across screen sizes.
Don’t underestimate the significance of trust signals on your website. Feature customer reviews, testimonials, and payment icons and prominently display contact information on each page to establish credibility, with customers.
Simplify and streamline the checkout process so that customers can easily complete their purchases without unnecessary steps or distractions causing friction along the way.
When you carefully consider these design aspects while establishing your store you will be able to create a welcoming atmosphere that imparts trust in visitors encouraging them to make purchases from you.
Begin Listing Your Products
Now that you have your ecommerce online store set up and your online store designed, it’s time to start listing your products. This is where the real work begins!
First, gather all the necessary information about each product you plan to sell. Take high-quality photos from different angles, write detailed descriptions that highlight the features and benefits of each item, and determine the pricing for each product.
Next, create a product page for each item on your website. Make sure to include all relevant details such as size options, color choices, and any variations or customization options available. Use keywords in your titles and descriptions to optimize them for search engines.
When listing your products, consider your target market and their needs. Think about what would appeal to them and how you can differentiate yourself from competitors in the same niche. Highlight unique selling points that make your products stand out.
Don’t forget to provide accurate inventory information so customers know if an item is in stock or not. This will help manage customer expectations and avoid disappointments or delays.
Regularly review and update your product listings based on customer feedback or changing market conditions. Stay vigilant with monitoring stock levels so you can quickly restock popular items before they run out.
Listing products may seem like a daunting task at first but with careful planning and attention to detail, it can become an enjoyable part of running a successful online store.
Choose The Best Payment Options
When it comes to running an online store, choosing the best payment gateway is a critical decision that can greatly impact your success. With so many different payment methods available today, it’s important to consider the preferences of your target audience and provide them with convenient and secure options.
It’s also essential to consider the specific needs of your target market when selecting payment options. If you’re targeting international customers, offering multiple currencies or alternative methods like Alipay or WeChat Pay might be beneficial.
Additionally, don’t forget about mobile payments. With more people shopping on their smartphones, providing options like Apple Pay or Google Wallet can enhance the user experience and streamline checkout.
Remember that security should always be a top priority when selecting payment providers. Look for reputable companies that offer fraud protection measures and comply with industry standards such as PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard).
Choosing the best payment options for your online store requires careful consideration of your target audience’s preferences and needs while prioritizing security. By offering diverse and convenient payment methods, you can enhance customer satisfaction and increase conversions in your ecommerce online store journey
Finalize Shipping Strategies and Policies
Finalizing your shipping strategies and policies is a critical aspect of running a successful online store. It’s important to carefully consider all the factors involved in order to provide the best experience for your customers.
First, you need to determine what shipping options you will offer. Will you provide standard shipping, expedited shipping, or both? Consider the preferences and expectations of your target audience when making this decision.
Next, establish clear and transparent shipping costs. Customers appreciate knowing exactly how much they will be charged for shipping before making a purchase. Offering free shipping can also be an effective way to incentivize sales and attract more customers.
Another important consideration is the packaging. Make sure you choose appropriate packaging materials to ensure that products arrive safely and undamaged. This not only protects your reputation but also reduces the chances of returns or refunds due to damaged goods.
Additionally, it’s crucial to communicate your return policy regarding damaged items or other issues that may arise during shipment. Be sure to outline any requirements or steps that customers need to follow to initiate a return or replacement.
Consider partnering with reliable courier services or fulfillment centers that can handle the logistics of delivering orders efficiently and on time. Research different options available in your area and select one that aligns with your business needs.
By finalizing these aspects of your online store’s shipping strategies and policies, you can help build trust with customers while ensuring smooth transactions from start to finish.
Publish and Promote Your Online Store
Now that your online store is set up and ready to go, it’s time to get the word out and start driving traffic to your website. The success of your online store depends greatly on how well you promote it and attract potential customers.
One of the most effective ways to promote your online store is through digital marketing strategies. Utilize social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to create a presence for your brand. Engage with your target audience by posting relevant content, running contests or giveaways, and interacting with followers.
In addition to social media marketing, consider investing in search engine optimization (SEO) techniques. This involves optimizing your website’s content so that it ranks higher in search engine results pages when users search for keywords related to your products or industry. Research popular keywords within your niche and incorporate them into product descriptions, blog posts, and meta tags.
Another powerful promotional tool is influencer marketing. Collaborate with influencers who have a following that aligns with your target market. They can help showcase your products through reviews or sponsored posts on their blogs or social media accounts.
Don’t forget about traditional marketing methods as well! Consider running ads in local newspapers or magazines if you have a physical location tied to your online store. Attend trade shows related to your industry where you can showcase and sell products directly.
Remember that promoting an online store requires ongoing effort – not just a one-time push at launch. Continuously analyze which marketing channels are driving the most traffic and conversions for you, then invest more resources into those areas while refining others.
By taking advantage of various promotional strategies tailored specifically for an ecommerce online store business model like yours, you’ll be able to reach a larger audience and increase sales potential significantly!
Conclusion
Setting up and running an online store can be a challenging but rewarding venture. With the right strategies and tools in place, you can create a successful online business and tap into the growing world of e-commerce.
By choosing the right ecommerce online store that suits your needs, selecting a niche market, planning your website layout and design effectively, listing products strategically, offering convenient payment options, optimizing shipping strategies, publishing and promoting your online store wisely – you are well on your way to creating a profitable online store.
Remember to conduct thorough research on your target audience and their needs. Utilize social media platforms to reach out to potential customers and engage with them regularly. Keep an eye on market conditions and adapt accordingly to stay ahead of the competition.
Building brand identity through effective logo design, utilizing search engine optimization techniques for better visibility in search engine listings, providing excellent customer support – these are all crucial aspects that contribute to the success of your online store.
As a new entrepreneur in the ecommerce online store market, it may seem overwhelming at first. However, by following these steps diligently while keeping an open mind for future adjustments based on customer feedback or changing trends – you can build a thriving online business that stands out from the rest.
Remember that setting up an online store is not just about selling products; it’s about creating an enjoyable shopping experience for your customers. By combining quality products with exceptional service and marketing efforts tailored towards reaching your target audience effectively – you will be able to establish yourself as a trusted player in the competitive world of e-commerce.
So go ahead! Take this comprehensive guide as a starting point for launching your own successful online store today. Embrace innovation, stay adaptable to change,and never stop learning along this exciting journey!
Here’s wishing you tremendous success in building and growing your very own profitable ecommerce online store empire!
The Official Merchant Services Blog would like to announce that Host Merchant Services has now added next-day funding to their already impressive line of services. Merchant services customers appreciate getting their deposits the next business day, as this is critical for funding payroll and inventory purchases for the week.
Merchants can now expect funding for MasterCard, Visa, and Discover transactions by the next business day, rather than within 48-72 hours, as is customary for other processors. All HMS Merchants can qualify. HMS long-term merchants will attain next-day funding, immediately upon request.
A merchant who currently has two day funding for example, would not see the money from a transaction processed at noon on a Monday, until Wednesday morning at the earliest, creating a 48-hour delay that could be the source of a merchants’ cash flow dilemma.
Any merchant that processes with Host Merchant Services and batches, or settles their terminal regularly in the evening, will receive those funds in their bank account by the next business day. Batching is the end-of-day or end-of-shift process in which the merchant balances and submits transactions for clearing and settlement. This allows executives to make quicker business decisions that impact their bottom line, as well as increase cash flow for the business.
Merchants should beware however that not all next day funding programs are created equal. While many companies claim to offer next day funding, merchant account providers have different capabilities and requirements resulting in very different times for fund dispersal.
Next day funding can benefit particular types of merchants like restaurants, principally when it comes to those that have heavy weekend volumes. For these merchants, next day funding can help them gain their weekend proceeds faster so they can be used to fund payroll and inventory purchases for the week. These restaurants would get their deposit for Friday, Saturday and Sunday activity on Monday instead of Tuesday, which is a very big cash flow benefit.
Host Merchant Services is always looking for ways to make it easier and more convenient to do business as well as provide added value in accelerating the growth of companies. With next day funding Host is enabling small business owners to improve their cash flow with faster funding of dollars earned through credit card sales. This corresponds with HMS’s ongoing goal to provide quality payment transactions solutions at the best price to merchants across the United States. Contact Host Merchant Services now to save money on your processing fees, as well as see your money a full day earlier than with other processors.
Today the Official Merchant Services Blog brings NFC technology back into the spotlight, with a look at a pilot program U.S. Bancorp is running in two test cities. The company, one of the nation’s more tech-oriented big banks, is joining the ranks of companies testing near-field communication (NFC) technology by pairing a rewards credit card with Apple Inc.’s iPhone in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Portland, Oregon.
It’s been a while since we discussed the technology surrounding Near Field Communication, or NFC, so lets take a moment to recap. NFC is a short-range high frequency wireless communication technology which enables the exchange of data between devices with a touch. This touch capability allows for sharing, pairing, and transaction capability between the NFC devices. A smartphone or tablet that is NFC capable can be used as a keycard or an ID card. The same device can also be used to make credit card payments.
U.S. Bancorp, based in Minneapolis is offering new holders of its FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Signature card a special sleeve for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. The sleeve contains a microNFC chip, and an antenna that facilitates payments by communicating with contactless point-of-sale terminals. Unlike a small but growing number of smart phones running Google Inc.’s Android operating system, the iPhone does not have a built-in NFC chip. With the sleeve and U.S. Bank’s new Go Mobile app, cardholders will be able to use their iPhones to make purchases at any merchant location that accepts the contactless Visa payWave card.
Cardholders will receive the case free for participating in the test. The case also includes a battery that extends the iPhone’s charge time by more than 50%, a feature U.S. Bank says will appeal to frequent travelers. The card itself is free in the first year but afterward charges a $49 annual fee.
U.S. Bank, already has offered the FlexPerks card with a Europay-MasterCard-Visa (EMV) chip so that international travelers can use their cards easily in EMV countries, which is now most of the industrialized world. The new test is part of an effort to learn how consumers and merchants take to NFC, according to Dominic Venturo, chief innovation officer at U.S. Bank Payment Services.
Some major players in mobile payments, notably PayPal Inc., Square Inc. and Starbucks Corp., are using non-NFC technologies such as browser-based systems or 2-D bar codes. NFC is a high-capacity, fast technology, but skeptics cite its need for chip-equipped phones and POS terminals as reasons to use other technologies. And while still small considering that the U.S. has about 8 million card-accepting locations, Venturo says the number of locations capable of accepting NFC payments, is now up to about 300,000 and growing.
U.S. Bank picked Salt Lake City and Portland for the NFC testing because of their tech-oriented populations and previous experience with high-tech card or Internet systems. Salt Lake City, for example, is one of the two test cities for Isis, the NFC mobile-payments joint venture of AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA. Also, the Utah Transit Authority, the Salt Lake area’s mass-transit system, already accepts contactless cards. Google, meanwhile, picked Portland as its first test site for Google Offers, a competitor of Groupon Inc.’s daily-deal offers now available in about 40 cities. U.S. Bank has no end date for the test and in fact considers it a limited rollout that may expand later this year.
This technology is being embraced by some major companies in the e-commerce industry for its ability to process credit card transactions. PayPal purchased Zong for just that reason. Visa invested heavily in mobile payments, as seen by their marketing plans for the 2012 Olympics. Google is making its Google Wallet and Google+ beta work toward that same vision of mobile payments made through NFC-based touch technology. Only time will tell if the future of NFC payments is in fact bright and as usual, Host Merchant Services will keep you up to date on any new developments.
This is the latest installment in The Official Merchant Services Blog’sKnowledge Base effort. We want to make the payment processing industry’s terms and buzzwords clear. We want to remove any and all confusion merchants might have about how the industry works. Host Merchant Services promises: we deliver personal service and clarity. So we’re going to take some time to explain how everything works. This ongoing series is where we define industry related terms and slowly build up a knowledge base and as we get more and more of these completed, we’ll collect them in our resource archive for quick and easy access.
E-Commerce
Today’s term is Electronic Commerce, or E-Commerce for short. E-Commerce is the process of using the Internet or computer networks in order to buy or sell information, services, or products. This includes all transactions involved in conducting business over the fore mentioned networks. The act of buying or selling over these networks allows for secure paperless transactions to happen electronically. It has also given many businesses the ability to expand from local and regional markets to national and global markets.
Initially E-commerce just involved business to business transactions over private networks, it wasn’t until the mid 1990′s that it became completely open to the public. These businesses were using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), which was a transfer of electronic data from computer to computer and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), which was an electronic transfer of money from one computer to another in order to do business with each other. Doing business like this guaranteed that the transactions would be completed in a faster and less expensive way. Advancing computer networking capabilities led to the public use of the Internet and opened the doors of E-commerce to the world.
E-Commerce has a major impact on the markets that businesses can reach. Businesses now have the ability to reach a large global market allowing for a greater return on their product sales. Retailers can sell more of a particular product at a lower cost, as a result of business being done online and not by man power alone, which gives them the ability to lower prices and increase sales. Although we may take advantage of E-commerce and the ease it creates in our daily lives, its benefit to the global economy is always changing and ever-increasing as technologies continue to develop. Everyday we see new businesses from all over the world implementing E-commerce into their business strategies, resulting in the growth of a “global community”.
Host Merchant Services offers a variety of E-commerce solutions to fit your business, including HMS Express, our own cutting edge in house payment gateway. HMS is able to interface with most of the major Payment Gateways out there, including Authorize.net. We also offer unparalleled protection for all of our merchants in the form of our PCI Compliance Initiative.
Today the Official Merchant Services Blog brings you another update on the ongoing Interchange lawsuit settlement. We began talking about the possibility of ‘The Big Cash Comeback’ back when the settlement was first announced in July, and later we discussed the opposition to the settlement. Last week a federal appellate court denied a retailer’s appeal to review part of the controversial settlement in the massive credit card interchange case, clearing the way for the trial court to move toward final approval. At the same, the process of notifying the millions of merchants affected is getting under way.
Judge John Gleeson of the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, N.Y., gave preliminary approval of the settlement on Nov. 9 and has set a hearing for next Sept. 13 to consider final approval.
Lawyers representing seven merchant trade groups as well as some individual merchants asked the Second Circuit Court to consider a narrow part of Gleeson’s preliminary approval, the provision of the settlement that releases defendants Visa Inc., MasterCard Inc., and some major banks from liability for interchange pricing policies. The provision is shaping up to be the key objection of the 1,200 retailers and trade associations since it would affect current and even future card-accepting merchants. This case, now seven years in the making, began when merchant plaintiffs accused the networks and banks of using anti-competitive practices in setting interchange rates.
Under the settlement announced in July by lawyers for both sides, the defendants will pay class merchants about $6 billion in damages, and Visa and MasterCard will provide another $1.2 billion in temporarily reduced interchange rates and ease up on certain rules, especially ones restricting merchants’ ability to add a surcharge for card transactions. In return, the networks want to be released from future court challenges by merchants regarding Interchange and network rules. The defendants also are paying about $550 million to a handful of large merchant plaintiffs that have now dropped their claims.
Judge Gleeson indicated that the standard for final approval is much higher than the one for preliminary approval, which means that the objecting plaintiffs still have some hope even though parts of the settlement already are going into effect or will be soon. For example, the networks have 60 days from Nov. 27, when the court entered Gleeson’s order implementing preliminary approval, to conform their rules to terms of the proposed settlement.
The district court meanwhile, is setting up the machinery to administer the settlement process. Gleeson appointed Kansas City, Kan.-based Epiq Systems Inc., a specialist in legal-systems administration and technology, to oversee notifications and related matters. That is no small task: the class settlement covers any merchant that has accepted Visa and MasterCard cards between Jan. 1, 2004, and late 2012. Experts estimate 6 million to 8 million affected merchants that must be notified. The settlement agreement also calls for merchant acquirers to assist in the notification process.
While we have discussed this settlement from different aspects previously, noting the advantages it would seem to give the Issuing Banks over merchants, the settlement seems to be proceeding along without much further adjustment or negotiation. Although it is not finalized yet, the dissenter’s cries seem to be going unheard, as they believe that the settlement protects the status quo more than anything, and will not change the way the networks set interchange. Host Merchant Services will keep you informed of all the latest news involving this landmark litigation.
