Getting Started with Credit Card Processing for Small Businesses 

Here’s how the right card payment gateway can be the difference between high fees – and high profits for small businesses going global.

Making the Right Small Business Credit Card Processing Choice is Key

It’s no secret that accepting credit cards is a must for small businesses selling online. But did you know that your credit card processor can be the difference between ending up with high fees – or high profits? From fraud protection to competitive pricing to global payments acceptance, your processor can provide you with a number of benefits, which is why it’s important to pick right.

As you look to grow your business online, you need to understand consumers’ payment preferences and find a payment system for small businesses that allows you to process credit card payments.

Getting Started with Credit Card Processing for Small Businesses

How Credit Card Processing Works

Although credit cards are seen as a quick and easy method of payment, when a customer makes a payment using their credit card online there are a number of steps behind the scenes that are required to get the funds from the customer’s account into your merchant account. 

1. The customer’s card information is captured securely and transmitted to the associated card network for approval.
2. Simultaneously, information is requested from the card network and sent to the card issuer. 
3. The issuer either approves or denies the payment.
4. If approved, the payment is accepted and the transaction has been successfully completed. 
5. On approval, the issuing bank is instructed to send funds to the merchant.

Although the process appears complex,  a payment gateway can manage this simply and securely for your business. It is the payment gateway that captures and validates the customer payment information. The gateway also transfers this payment information to the acquirer to ensure that funds are available and the merchant is paid. 

The Five Features Your Small Business Payment Option Needs

Your payment gateway processes your online credit card payments, so it is essential to choose the right one to ensure online payments flow smoothly and securely. 

By understanding the needs of your customers and your business you can prioritize what you need from your payment gateway. Here are five key features to consider when looking for credit card processing companies for a small business.

Easy Integration – As a small business, you will want a solution that works seamlessly with your e-commerce platform. And if you sell in-person too, you need a solution that can support both your ecommerce and Point of Sales(POS) systems.

Fraud Protection Included – Reduce your fraud risks and gain higher-approval rates with an integrated fraud protection solution. The best processors use AI and machine learning to improve fraud detection to block bad transactions and allow legitimate ones. 

Compliance Made Easy – PCI DSS standards protect cardholder data from misuse and fraud. A business that accepts card payments must comply. This means handling and maintaining cardholder’s information, including card details, in a way that keeps them secure.

Global Acceptance Plus Local Payment Methods – To offer international customers a positive experience, your payment gateway should support fast and secure payment processing in every country where you do business. Let your customers go beyond just credit cards and allow them to select local payment methods for improved sales.

Reliable Customer Service – As an online business, your transactions can occur at any time of the day (or night)! The ability to process credit card payments at all times is crucial,  just like having a payment solution provider with the local payments and small business expertise to take your solution to the next level.

What are the Different Payment Processing Pricing Models?

The cost of online payment processing for small businesses varies and is dependent on the payment processor and the pricing model used. By understanding these models, small businesses are better able to find the one that offers them the best deal. 

Each model differs in terms of the complexity for the business, but also what it will mean in terms of the profit for the business. The volume, risk and value of transactions are also factors that will influence what model will work best for the business.

Flat-Fee Credit Card Processing 

Having the simplicity and consistency of being charged a fixed percentage on sales makes it easy for businesses to budget and plan ahead. However, depending on your business type, processing volume and customer type, it won’t necessarily be the cheapest option and is worth comparing with other pricing models.

Interchange-Plus Pricing 

With interchange-plus pricing, each transaction ends up with a different fee. The interchange fee depends on the card type (credit or debit), brand, and the risk level of each transaction. While with this pricing model knowing your total cost isn’t as straightforward, however, the interchange-plus pricing can be cheaper for some businesses than fixed pricing. This is especially true for companies with customers that heavily use debit card payments.

​Tiered Pricing

This model categorizes transactions based on their level of risk and charges a lower mark-up to those at the lower end of the scale. These tiers are typically qualified, mid-qualified, and non-qualified. Many merchants avoid tiered pricing as it’s more opaque and can be more costly. However, for merchants with high volumes of low-risk transactions, this model may be cost-effective. 

By understanding and managing your credit card processing costs, you can gain an opportunity for significant savings. However, merchants should also look out for any additional service fees before selecting their credit card processor.

These include statement fees, PCI fees, annual fees and surcharges.  Rapyd offers significantly lower fees for small businesses domiciled in Europe making us a highly competitive option for European businesses. Once you have selected a small business payment processor, you will also need to set up a merchant account to receive credit card payments.

Processing Credit Cards to Grow Successfully 

To grow internationally and quickly, you want to choose the right pricing model and the right kind of credit card processing for a small business. You’ll be able to better manage online card processing by keeping these five key factors in mind. And by ensuring you choose the correct payment pricing model for your company you’ll ultimately be able to scale your company globally.