One Merchant account with multiple websites

[tyqcanada]

I have recently been told by my merchant account provider that I will need a separate account for each e-commerce site that I want to run, even though it's all going to the same company. Is this typical? I am in the processing of setting up many different niche ecommerce sites, and this could be a major pain.

[hasanali]

I am in the same situation. I have worked with Barclays ePDQ system. With ePDQ, there can be only one web page that goes to the ePDQ system.

Which payment gateway are you using?

[Corey Bryant]

It depends on what you are selling. For example - if your merchant account is in the name of Dog's R Us, you do not want to open up another site that sells pens. This would cause a lot of chargebacks for you. Hopefully your business name is generic.

And then it depends on the products / services. If one product is considered in a different category, the merchant might require you to get a new merchant account

-Corey

[sharbel]

This really varies depending on the merchant account. I have one that lets me do whatever the heck I want really as I have been using them for a long time, and quite frankly they make a lot of money from it. We have a partnership on another site where the bank is pretty much a Nazi about everything,.. very strict.

I think in general you can assume that if you have a full merchant account and your site is approved by the bank/company, they will want you to keep other sites in the same business type. So if you are selling Children Clothing on one site, and decide to sell Adolescent clothing on another more appropriately named domain, I dont think they will bother you.... if you start selling Male Enhancements on a third site, they might take exception :)

[jamieb]

I have 3 seperate product areas... I operate as myfamilynamesstoredotcom

Each area of the site is specific to 3 different areas. The sites look different. But- The checkout all ends up with the family namedotcom appearing and I use one merchent account.

I develop sites with Miva Merchant and host these sites. PM if you need more info or assitance.
Jamie

[tyqcanada]

Corey - I use a generic name and have never had a problem with chargebacks. Our site makes it very clear what the credit card statement will say.

I started selling Fashion Widgets originally, now I am also selling Motorized Widgets through another store, so that may be the reason for the additional account.

I have been told by another provider that I should be able to run everything through their accounts, which I am hoping will work out. This is pretty important for me as I have a half dozen niche e-commerce stores that I am setting up.

[Pepperoni]

Clearly state at the check-out point how the charge will appear on the cc statement. Also, include a contact phone number, e-mail form, etc.

You want the customer, if they have a question when they read their statement to be able to contact you, not their bank and initiate a charge-back.

[sharbel]

tyqcanada, if you are in canada look into PSIgate, they are really good...they recently roled out their XML API which is rock solid. They are also pretty cool to deal with, no hassles at all from them.