Credit Card Processing

Credit Card Processing On The Internet
By Ted Roxan

So you have finally finished your e-commerce web site, hired
the best web publisher, added all the bells and whistles,
outstanding graphics, and great merchandise. Now, how does your
prospective customer pay you for your products? Clearly, it is
necessary for your site to accept, and process credit card
payments, in real time. Failure to do so, would result in a
failing enterprise.

Before you can begin the application process, there are several
standards that all credit card processors have set. Follow this
checklist and you will save yourself a significant amount of
time, and aggravation.

1) The checkout, and transaction pages must be secure. This
protects the customer from credit card, or identity fraud,
which has become epidemic. You achieve this “security” by
installing a secure socket layer certificate, or SSL. SSL
encrypts information being entered on your site as it is sent
across the Internet, so hackers are unable to steal the
transmitted information. This Certificate has become very
common, and any web host would be able to assist you.

2) A robust Shopping Cart software that utilizes the highest
degree of security, and is compatible with the credit card
processor. This program must be able to receive, and process
orders. Collect personal data, and securely transmit the credit
card data from software to the credit card processor. Most
importantly, the software should provide the building blocks
for a complete, successful customer experience.

3) Your server must have a firewall, especially if you plan on
storing the credit card information on your server. Basically,
a firewall is a combination of software, and hardware, that
inspects incoming data, and filters unwanted, or potentially
destructive packets of information. This firewall will not
allow hackers to enter your server, and steal sensitive
information.

When all these conditions have been met, you are ready to
contact your bank to open a credit card merchant’s account.
Once your account is opened, your bank will suggest a credit
card Gateway. A credit card Gateway receives the customer’s
credit card information from your web site, approves or
declines the charge, and ultimately transmits money to your
bank.

Although the process appears to be very complicated, it is
quite straightforward when you know what you are doing. Plan
ahead, avoid frustration, and provide your customers with an
easy, secure experience that will make them come back for more.

About the Author: Ted Roxan is a contributing editor of
Internet Credit Card Processing Resource. For more details on
Internet merchant accounts and Credit Card processors go to:
http://myinternet-credit-card-processing.com/

Source: http://www.isnare.com