Forum Moderators: LifeinAsia
Does it increase business? Do you get more projects when you can accept cards?
What merchant account providers make the most sense? (those that charge more than 4% are out of the question).
What is better - a web based cart or a regular old fashioned terminal? I've not understood how to do address verfication on a ten-key in order to get the address verified rates.
Interesting posts on the business of web design. Huge site to explore.
Thanks for any comments.
Don
San Antonio, Texas
I think most people prefer to pay by check, because they can keep track of the expenses. Make notes on them.
If your clients want to "finance" their website with a credit card - remind them that most credit card issuers offer checks that get debited against the credit card balance - you get a nice check and they get to make monthly payments.
I wouldn't want to pay merchant account monthly fees "just in case" someone wants to use a CC.
I just tell people they can use paypal, but that they have to split the difference on the transaction fees - that stuff ads up quickly (but still cheaper than $40/month for a merchant account).
We accept credit cards, using a merchant's account. We have a number of corporate types that like to use their card to pay their invoices. We started because we had quite a few ask us if we did. FWIW, we do some hosting in addition to the design and other services and it's nice for the recurring items.
We use Authorize.net and don't have a physical terminal, we generally use the virtual terminal. As far as increasing business, I think that depends on where you are and who your clients are. It's helped in our case, but your mileage may vary... Actually, in some cases, we get our $$ faster than we would've going the invoice and wait route. :)
Hope this helps.
LisaB
We also use Authorize.net. The client rarely uses the online processing facility, most of the billing is done via a virtual terminal, billed by us.
For us the large corporate clients, who represent a tiny percentage of clients, but a huge percentage of revenue, actually prefer to pay by check or ACH.
IMHO if you are targeting clients who pay less than $300 per month, you need to be able to process credit cards. For those that pay $500 to $50,000+ per month you need a good invoicing and check processing system.
I had a client last month that has been paying by monthly check for over 4 years ask me if it would be more convenient to be billed by credit card, as they had paid on time I of course said no, but that is an indication of how folks think these days :)
I'll wait till next year and see if accepting credit cards is something that will help clients. I've not been asking them, and will start.
Don
Most gateways (LinkPoint, Authorizenet.com, Verisign) will provide a virtual terminal as well as a free secure webpage for processing credit card information.
-Corey
I've wondered how to structure a shopping cart that allowed clients to pay for variable services.
Almost need an online invoicing and payment system, where I send my client an email with a link to an invoice they can pay for via credit card.
For hosting and domains it's easier to use one of the big registrars' branded affiliate programs than to set up and manage it. Thought about that as well. Probably a good topic for another thread.
Keep the ideas coming.
Don
thanks
What's: QB? :)
-Corey
Henry
