Should You Be Accepting
Credit Cards?
The Internet is changing many things in the world of commerce. With the emergence of email and web ordering as primary methods of purchasing products on the Internet, merchant credit status has become imperative for online businesses.
A few years ago, a fellow online marketer asked me if I was accepting credit cards yet. I told him I had been considering the idea. "Considering the idea?" he said. "What are you waiting for? You're missing out on lots of sales!"
He continued with a very logical explanation...
"What is the one thing everyone on the Internet has in common? EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM HAS A CREDIT CARD. They need one to get connected!"
I thought for a second. "True. But aren't people reluctant to send their credit card info via email or the web?" "Actually no," he said. "And the few that are can send the info via regular mail or fax. It just gives them another option for payment."
Becoming more convinced, I wanted to take the security aspect a step further. What if someone did somehow get hold of the credit card info? Wouldn't this be a nightmare for the person who owns the credit card?
I made calls to some of the companies that I got my credit cards from. I told them I was considering purchasing something over the Internet. I asked them to tell me exactly how much damage someone could do with my credit card details...
The answer was actually very reassuring!
I found out that the MOST I could be held liable for was fifty dollars! Actually, some companies said I would be held liable for zero, as long as I reported the fraud as soon as I recognized it.
So then I started getting excited! But, I still had to find a company that would give me credit card merchant status. I had heard that it was very hard to obtain, especially for a new or Internet based business like mine.
After searching long and hard, I came across a fantastic company that actually specializes in providing merchant accounts to "Netpreneurs" and small or home-based businesses. Their friendly agent had me taking Visa, MasterCard and American Express in no time and the cost was very reasonable!
Our sales increased over 50% and the difference was obvious from the very beginning. My fellow online marketer was right!
Bottom line: If you are doing any kind of marketing online, you need to be able to accept credit cards. There's no two ways about it.
Here's four reasons why you should start taking credit cards NOW:
- Increase your average sale by 15 - 50%
- Increase impulse buys by up to 300%
- Customers prefer the convenience of credit cards
- Your business credibility is enhanced
In this competitive world of Internet based profit, you need every advantage you can get. If you aren't accepting credit cards, you're missing out on some of those profits. Don't pass up this opportunity for your business to take a giant step forward. Start accepting credit cards next week!
