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Shaw Merchant Group
Tuesday, June 20 2023
Flat Rate Credit Card Processing | The Benefits and Drawbacks

If you are a first-time or small business owner, then you may have heard of flat-rate credit card processing. Every business needs a provider for credit card processing, as it is one of the most important aspects of any business--the ability to accept payments. However, choosing a provider and a fee structure can be a challenge that takes time, energy, and research. If you’re going to succeed, then you need to be familiar with every type of processing service and why they might be suitable for you. One of the most popular services purchased by small businesses when it comes to credit card pressing is flat-rate credit card processing. 

Flat-rate credit card processing has many benefits, but it's not the right situation for every business. This brief analysis of flat-rate credit card processing will give you some insight that helps you decide whether flat rate credit card processing is the right option for you, or if it's a bad choice for your specific business.

Credit card processing isn’t always the easiest concept or industry to understand

As a business owner, you are already aware of some of the struggles that you can experience when trying to determine a credit card processing provider. It is one of the most difficult things to do as a business owner, especially if you are trying to estimate the cost of accepting credit cards using a merchant services provider. Determining these costs can be difficult, which is why some business owners are drawn to a flat-rate processing model where the pricing is easier to understand.

However, these decisions depend on so many factors that it becomes a time-consuming task to determine which pricing model is best for you. To make it easier, this article will serve as a knowledge base and guide to helping you understand the factors that go into this decision and what concepts you need to understand.

Definition of flat-rate credit card processing

The first important concept of payment processing to know is what exactly flat-rate payment processing is. If you’re going to determine if it is the right choice for you, then knowing what it entails is the first and most important step. With an understanding of what flat-rate credit card processing is, you’ll be well on your way to understanding it at a deep enough level to decide whether it is the right choice for you. 

Credit card processing isn’t free. It costs the merchant a fee to implement and accept payment processing solutions. The variable here is what the cost is. Just like in any purchase, there are varying costs from different providers. Though consumers don’t consider it, it is the reality of being a business owner. In addition to trying to find the lowest fee, merchants also face the possibility that credit card processing fees will vary within the credit processing provider that they choose. 

One of the most significant and common reasons for credit card processing fees to fluctuate is the various fees charged by Visa, Mastercard, and other suppliers for using the card. In addition, there are fees charged by the issuing bank for the transaction and there are a couple more mouths to feed along the way. There are hundreds of services that are involved in this process and each one takes a different sized bite. For this reason, credit card processing fees can often fluctuate and have business owners confused about what they are actually paying to process credit card transactions.

To simplify things and make it easier for the merchant to understand, some of the best credit card processing companies have begun to offer flat-rate credit card processing fees. With flat-rate credit card processing fees, merchants are more able to predict exactly what the cost of accepting credit cards will be and forecast that into their profits and margin calculations. It comes with many benefits, but it’s not right for every business.

Benefits of flat-price processing

As you can imagine, there are many benefits to flat-rate processing and that is why it is so commonly used by businesses that are seeking simplicity in their processing arrangements. When you have flat-price processing, there are a few aspects to love about your credit card processing agreement.

Predictability

The first benefit of using flat-rate credit card processing is being able to have a predictable credit card processing fee each month. With predictability in the rates that you are charged to process credit card transactions, you can not only plan your expenses better, but you can also price goods and services better to provide you with a more consistent margin. 

When you know what your processing rate is going to be, the need to fluctuate your item pricing will disappear. You can plan ahead and be sure of what you are going to be charged to process credit card transactions.

Flexibility

When you have a flat-rate processing plan, another benefit that you will be entitled to is the flexibility that comes with these processing plans. With flat-rate credit card processing plans, you often don’t have to get locked into long-term commitments that hinder your flexibility and make it difficult to plan ahead. For small businesses looking for short-term credit card processing or to lessen the long-term overhead for their business, this is the ideal situation.

Flexibility is also a benefit to any business that might be considered high-risk or in general need of agility due to possible changes in the business model, revenue, and other aspects affecting their business.

Simplicity

When you work with a flat-rate credit card processing contract, one of the most important benefits is the simplicity of the contract. As we touched on earlier, traditional credit card processing agreements will often feature clauses, charges, and fees that you don't even have access to seeing the details on. For this reason, in those arrangements, you can never tell exactly what your credit card processing fee will end up being.

However, with a flat-rate processing plan, you can always understand what the fees are and exactly how they impact your business. You can plan to include enough margin for your processing fees and make it easier to understand the implications of your credit card processing agreement. 

Who is a good candidate for flat-rate processing?

If you are considering flat-rate processing for your business, you probably want to know a bit more information about who is a good candidate for flat-rate processing and which businesses should pursue flat-rate processing for their processing needs. It is very easy to identify merchants that are good fits for flat-rate processing because of the straightforward nature of flat-rate processing. 

Startups

Startups are the ideal businesses for flat-rate processing because they usually need to have less overhead and a shorter contract. Startups are often young and unstable, so having a processor that is flexible in the terms is ideal. Startups also typically have a lower volume of transactions. Many credit card processing companies have solutions that are specifically geared towards the needs of startups and young companies. 

Small Businesses

Small and local businesses are another frequent customer of flat-rate processing solutions. This is because small and local businesses typically have a much lower volume of transactions than larger companies and they are unable to attain better rates. In addition, small businesses are slightly more unstable and higher risk than other companies and don’t have the leverage to get favorable contracts with other processing solutions. 

High-Risk Businesses

Businesses that are higher risk industries also tend to use flat-rate processing because they are subject to riskier transactions that could lead to increased fees by processing companies. If they are able to get an account with a flat-rate processor, then high-risk businesses typically take that opportunity because it is a favorable situation for them. 

Doing better than flat-rate processing

For some, flat-rate processing simply isn’t a great option. This leaves many wondering if it’s possible to get a better deal than flat-rate processing. It’s true, there are some downsides to flat-rate processing and that is the reason that some choose to pursue other options. It is possible to get a better deal than flat-rate processing has to offer, but there are certain conditions that you have to meet. 

The first condition that you have to meet if you want to get a better deal on your processing than what flat-rate processing has to offer is that you have to be able to do a high volume of transactions. The higher the volume, the better deal you are going to get on your processing. 

Another condition that you will have to meet if you are going to get a better rate than what most flat-rate processing solutions have to offer is you will most likely have to sign a longer-term contract for your processing needs. This means less flexibility, but it is possible that you will get a better rate, though it will be dynamic and subject to change. 

If you are a business that cannot get flat-rate processing or you do a high volume of transactions for an established and long-lasting business, then you can possibly get a better deal by going with a solution other than flat-rate processing. 

Posted by: Shaw Merchant Group AT 05:15 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Friday, June 16 2023
Selling Your Merchant Account Residual Portfolio

If you are looking to find out whether you actually own the residual portfolio that you are building, one of the best ways to do so is to ask the processor that you are working with to purchase some of the future residual. This is known as a buyout and it’s a very common step for agents to take when they are in need of quick cash from the sale of an asset like a residual portfolio. If you want to be able to take advantage of these buyouts, you need to be very familiar with what a buyout is and how it can be completed from your side. This guide to the process of selling merchant account residual portfolios can give you the knowledge that you need to conduct a transaction like this and get access to the funds you need

Background residual knowledge

If you are going to sell your merchant portfolio, one of the most important things that you will need to know is the background of residuals and how they work in order to determine the price that you might get bought out at. Most agents already know how residuals work--you sell merchant accounts and in return, you get a share of the income. For many merchant processing contracts, the merchant’s share of the income is about 50%, leaving the merchant with the other 50%. However, it isn't always the ideal situation for the agent to wait for their income on a monthly basis and some prefer to cash out their earnings up front. A buyout between the agent and the merchant processing company gives them the opportunity to do this and pursue whichever avenue they might want with their lump sum of cash.

How much can you get for your residuals?

If you are considering selling your share of a residual contract, then you also probably want to know what your earnings potential is from selling your share in these often steady and lucrative agreements. Generally speaking, a processor will pay 15 months worth of residual payments on your part in exchange for your 50% of the residual share in the merchant processing account. This means that the lump sum that you would be getting is 15 times the size of the monthly residual that you would otherwise be gathering from holding the contract. There are benefits and drawbacks to this.

Benefits of selling your residual share

There are a few possible benefits to selling a share that you have in a residual contract that continues to feed you money. The first is that you need quick access to cash. If you do, then this is one of the best ways to do it. A buyout comes with no obligation to pay back or pay interest--it is your money that you earned and you get to keep it.

Another benefit of selling your residual share is that you might get something in exchange for nothing, so long as you are planning on leaving the merchant processing industry. If so, then it’s a win for everybody. You will get to be paid 15 months for a merchant processing residual that you would otherwise not be getting due to you leaving the business. In exchange, you will hand over the asset that you do have to the merchant processing account where they will continue to collect residuals on the account.

The final benefit is that the payout of a merchant services residual contract buyout is actually pretty competitive, compared to what you might otherwise get with a fast lending service or another service that doesn’t have your best interests in mind. The payout of a buyout is guaranteed and you get a good rate. So, if you are in need of an injection of capital for a venture, debt, or any other purpose, selling your share of a residual contract might be the right choice for you.

Drawbacks of selling your residual share

Just as there are benefits to selling your share in a residual contract, there are also downsides. One thing that you should be aware of if you are considering selling your share of a residual agreement is that you will not ever be able to get this contract back and earn the residuals for yourself. Once you have been bought out, the movement is permanent. The merchant processing company will not give you a chance to get back into it once your financial situation becomes less muddy and you want to get back in the game. That’s not to say that you can’t close new clients, but you won’t be able to work with the clients that you sold to the merchant processing company.

In addition, selling your merchant account portfolio van be a bad financial decision. Though it’s tough to assess this because everyone is in a unique situation, the theory is that residual income is basically a guaranteed passive income stream, after the setup is complete. So, how much does a few hundred extra dollars a month mean to you? Without the share of the residual income, you are left with a lump sum, which isn’t so bad. However, it does leave a gap in future wealth generations and could make it harder for you to survive financially in the long-term.

When to use a buyout

As a young agent, there are probably multiple situations in which  you feel a buyout of an asset might be the right decision for you. However, buyouts from residuals should only be used in some situations. One such situation is if the agent needs a sudden influx of cash to replenish savings or consolidate a debt.

Another reason is if a merchant services agent or ISO has a large upcoming business expense that they want to make sure they have the freedom to invest if they so choose. With this flexibility, merchant services agents and ISOs are well-positioned to emerge stronger than ever from any situation that they find themselves in.

Contact Shaw Merchant Group Partner Program to get a full evaluation or your merchant account residual buyout. Get up to 40 times your monthly residual to buy sell your credit card processing accounts. 

Posted by: Scott Shaw AT 03:10 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Tuesday, June 13 2023
How to Become a Digital Payments Agent

Starting your own small business is a fantastic way to build an income. Whether you already have a full-time job and you’re looking to develop your second income, or you want to become a full-time business owner yourself, there are many markets you can go into. One lucrative market you can enter is that of a merchant services agent, also known as a credit card processing agent. Within this market, how much you are able to generate is determined by the amount of work you put into selling merchant accounts. Leading sales representatives can generate over $100k per year using fantastic sales techniques alongside hard work and grinding.

Due to the competitive nature of the market, as well as unfortunate stereotypes that are commonly attached with salespeople, getting your foot into the door can be challenging at first. Many people may have felt selling mislead or even lied to by merchants in the past, which has made it difficult to become a credit card processing reseller. Here are some steps to help you in your journey to selling merchant services and developing the six-figure income you have always dreamt of.

Know the Ins and Outs of Your Business

When it comes to selling merchant services, you cannot undermine the importance of knowing your product. Within the market, there are very few merchants who are actually able to make sense of their merchant statement. Even those with experience within the industry may not completely aware of the details, which is a fantastic way to help you stand out from the competition.

By understanding the economics behind selling merchant services you are able to efficiently explain the cost-savings opportunity that you are providing. You will be able to answer any questions that are thrown in your direction, which will help to fill your potential client with confidence.

The second benefit of understanding your business is that you can understand the financial impact from your perspective. It is known throughout the industry that the best sales agents understand how much profit is built into each merchant account. This knowledge can be used in a variety of ways, especially when it comes to selling. You will be able to determine which deals are best and when you should choose to walk away. Understanding your business is the best way of understanding how to sell merchant services.

Develop Your Own Sales Plan

In order to produce the highest number of merchant services sales, you must build and refine your sales plan. Every top sales agent within the credit card processing industry has an understanding of how they go about their day to day business. They understand how they can increase their monthly income and how to sell. However, there is no 'optimal plan of attack'. Every agent builds up their own plan that works around their routine and style of selling. Some may choose to target certain parts of the industry, whilst others may make use of referrals or cold calls. Many agents will choose to do a mix of all three of these options to decipher the best results. Learn what works for you and then build upon this foundation to optimize your sales ability.

Build Long-Term Relationships with Local Businesses

Within the industry, building up long-term relationships is crucial so that you can become a successful merchant account reseller. Unfortunately, many sales reps will choose to make a sale, then move onto other opportunities to increase their revenue. There are several faults in this tactic and in the long run, it will work against you. Whilst you are scanning the market for the next sale, it is common for your clients to be approached by competitors within the market. Here, they will be offered cheaper rates, as well as other enticing deals. By building up long-term relationships with your client base, you can protect and build your portfolio. Your unique relationship with the local business will differentiate you from competitors and will become a key selling point when it comes to expanding your own portfolio.

Focus on Referrals

At the end of the day, cold calling is not the most efficient way to make a sale. For many people, it can be outright draining. At the start of your business there is no way around it. At the start of your career, it is simply something you will have to. However, it is not something that you will have to do forever. Referrals will become the most efficient and eventually the best way to grow your business. There are a number of ways in which you can get the most from referrals and become a successful merchant services agent.

Start by setting up a streamlined way in which you interact with your clients, allowing you to maximize your referral potential. Begin by informing your client that you will be back for referrals after you have proven the value of your services. This should be done from the very onset of your relationship, this way you can set the expectation. After your client has been working with you for around a month, show them the benefits that you have benefits you have brought. Once you have shown them the value you have to offer, you can ask for specific referrals. It is important to be as specific as possible. Ask for the doctor they use, the mechanic that fixes their vehicle or the vet who helps their dog. The more specific the question, the more specific the answer.

Summary: Whith these steps won’t guarantee your success within the industry of selling merchant services, they will definitely set you up in the right direction. With the market expanding exponentially, getting started it vital to your success. Make sure that you truly understand everything about what you are selling, as this will provide you with the best foundation to set yourself up for success in the future. Once started, you can always choose to learn more as you advance and develop your business.

Posted by: Scott Shaw AT 03:43 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Friday, June 02 2023
Your Residual Split: Understanding How It Works

If I had to make a rough estimate, it seems to me that about 90% of merchant services agents aren't actually very familiar with their residual splits and how they work. This isn't a great position to be in and you don't want to be in the dark, so take a look at these tips to get a good grasp on the subject:

1) First of all, do you actually own your residuals for the life of you account? If not, then years of work on your part could just disappear literally overnight. You could have been working tirelessly to build up a huge portfolio, but it would all be down the toilet simply because you stopped selling for awhile. Many ISOs have these stipulations, where you're required to bring in new accounts every certain amount of time, or your residuals are lost. Does that sound fair to you?

So many agents fall for this racket. Don't do this, no matter how much bigger your part of the split will be. Over the long-term, it's just not worth it. You're trying to build long-term passive income here, not turn your work in sales into an ordinary job—that's a waste of a great opportunity. Make sure you ask about this before you choose a merchant services ISO program. Tell them to give you an exact play-by-play of what will happen if you decide to leave the business. If the answer is “You will lose your residuals,” then walk away. Also, if you can't sell your residuals, then reconsider as well, since this is an indication that you don't really own them.

2) Forget about the percentage of your split. This doesn't really mean anything. To illustrate this better, let's say you're playing monopoly and your friend wants one of your properties. He offers you 30% of his net worth for it. However, another player butts in and raises the stakes. He tells you that he'll give you 50% of his net worth. Finally, a third player screams over your other two arguing friends and declares that he'll give you 10% of all of his cash if you will sell him the property. How do you decide which deal to take?

Well, obviously, you don't have enough information to make a good decision, do you? Before you know which deal is the best, you need to know the net worth of each of the players! After all, if Player 1 and Player 2 only have 100 monopoly dollars to give you, then you know that what they're offering is a raw deal if Player 3's net worth is 5000 dollars. Even with only 10% of that, it's far more than what the other two players were offering.

The same goes with credit card processors. Ignore their bragging about how they will give you 70% or 80% or whatever inflated number. It doesn't actually mean anything unless you know how they calculate the profit in the first place. Always get some context for these numbers, or else they are just going to be completely useless to you.

3) Always keep an eye on costs and the fees that the processor is going to charge you, as this will have much more influence on your profit than the actual split. You can find out what these fees are by looking at the Schedule A that your credit card processing agent program will provide for you. You will also need to ask yourself a few things when considering cost. For example, do they add basis points before they calculate the profit? What are they going to charge you for the transaction fee?

Some processors give you a true interchange pass through, while others will mark up the fees a few basis points above interchange before they start to calculate the profit. With the former kind of processor, things are a bit more obvious. For example, if your transaction fees are $0.03 and you in turn set up your merchant's transaction fee as $0.09, the profit per transaction is $0.06. If you had a 50/50 split, then you would get half of that in the end. It's a case of simple arithmetic. However, if you're having to deal with a huge mark up of dozens of basis points first, a lot of that profit is lost, and even if you had a 90% split, it wouldn't be worth it.

By the way, stay away from “buy rate” programs, as they don't offer you good deals. If you have any doubts about this, then be sure to get into contact with me and I will tell you all about it. You might be tempted to go with one of these programs, but I assure you that after I break it down for you, you will change your mind. Always go with a revenue sharing plan, as it's much more lucrative in the long run, especially if you choose a good processor to work with. I've even heard of processors trying to set up these kinds of deals with merchant services ISOs themselves, which is very silly in my view. You're trying to run a business here and build your empire, so don't settle for a buy rate.

4) The pricing is not as important as the cost structure when you want to get accounts of a significant size. Aim for a low cost structure for your clients. If your processor is charging more per transaction than $0.04, then you probably won't be able to pass on a reasonable deal to your merchants, so think twice about going with a processor that is this pricey, even if you're making 80% of the split. Make sure to have more than one partner so that you have access to the lowest rates and the best deals, and this way you can give your merchants a variety of options. This is especially true for your larger merchants.

5) Finally, keep in mind that you shouldn't get too caught up in either the cost structure or how much of a percentage of the residuals that you get. Ultimately, making the sales is what will determine your success in the long run. You need merchants to make money, and you need to close a lot of deals. Any merchant services ISO program or processor that you're partnering with should know this and help you get the kind of training that will lead you down the right path. If you can't even close deals, then there's no point in worrying about your compensation—you won't be getting it anyway! Whether you make 50% or 90% of $0, it is still $0, and that's certainly not a handsome residual to be getting every month. So choose your associates wisely, as they can help you to succeed—or drag you down.

We're happy to help you on your endeavor, so we offer all kinds of resources, from informative material, to help with your marketing, to training. If you're curious or have any questions about how to move forward in this career, then don't hesitate to send us an email.

 

Posted by: Scott Shaw AT 06:13 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Thursday, June 01 2023
Are You Getting Paid Correctly by Your Payment Processor?

Most successful merchant services agents are very dedicated to what they do. If you take this line of work seriously, you probably make it a priority to deliver the best customer service possible to your merchants. You may even be the type who makes himself available 7 days a week in order to serve his clients during busy times or even emergencies. If you are really making an effort to give the merchants what they need, then you should be fairly compensated for it, period. Is your payment processor giving you all of your money?

As terrible as it sounds, it's possible that you may get shortchanged by your processor. Even some people that I know who have been in the industry for awhile don't know with 100% certainty if they are getting the residuals that their contracts state that they should. After all, these documents can be complicated, and it's just so easy for a company to nickel and dime you without your realizing.

I had this sinking feeling that something like that might have been happening it me. I was pretty sure that if it had, I wouldn't readily notice it—I was too busy working on singing up clients and giving them the best possible customer service. I didn't consider it part of my merchant services job to spend my time making sure that my credit card processors were doing theirs.

Do you suspect that your own residuals are coming in short? Do you think that you're being paid less than what you actually made? This can certainly happen, and here are some common signs:

  • You're not sure if the residual payments that you get every month are an accurate reflection of what you earned. This is the first red flag. Sure, it is definitely partially your responsibility to keep on top of your income, but by no means does this excuse a processor ripping you off.
  • You can't make any sense of your statement and you're not sure how your residuals are even tallied up. Ignorance is a tool that ethically dubious companies can use to prey on hard-working people.
  • The statement of your residuals doesn't include much detail beyond the name of your merchants and how much they brought it. Everything should be broken down, or else you don't know why you're getting what you're getting.
  • You notice mistakes in your residual report frequently, and you have to waste a lot of time every month fixing the problem, to the point where it's barely even worth it.
  • There are fees or adjustments on the statement for reasons that you can't figure out.

Are any of these factors true about your residuals? If so, then it's possible that you are not getting all of the money that is owned to you. This can be hugely detrimental to your business, especially when you're first starting out, because you really need every penny you can get to help you expand. You don't want a payment processor that is engaging in unfair business practices and trying to leech money away from you.

Because of this, it is extremely important that you have all of the details about your payment laid out before you sign up with a processor. Make sure you know exactly how they calculate your residuals, so that there is no guesswork. Just as your clients have the right to know what you are going to charge them for your merchant services, you have the right to know exactly what your payment processor will charge you. After all, payment processing fees are going to be one of the larger costs of your business, so you need to take this into consideration beforehand.

In order to make sure that you are getting what you truly deserve in terms of residuals, take a look at this checklist and make sure that everything is right:

  • Your statements and reports should break down your payments in details, so that you know exactly why you are making a certain amount. Don't allow any mystery to exist here.
  • Your reports should be made available by your processing company in a variety of formats, and you shouldn't be limited to just paper or some obscure file extension. Make sure that you can get something like an Excel spreadsheet, and that way you can study your statement deeply and verify every detail yourself with your own calculations.
  • They should provide some way for you to compare the performance of each of your merchants, and to be able to see what your residuals have been from month to month. Even better, if they have some sort of electronic back-end where you can do this, exploit it as much as you can and verify every cent.
  • There should always be a way for you to know what your merchant paid, so that you know they are getting billed exactly the amount that you quoted to them when they signed up.
  • You should always have records of the past available to you, and your processor should not make these hard to access. Ideally, there should be a back-end where you can look all of this up with an online account of some kind.

If your payment processor loves to play the mysterious role and keeps you in the dark about all the details—for example, by not offering a break-down in their reports and only giving you general details—then maybe you should start shopping around for another company to work with. Honest companies typically make it a point to be transparent, and you should know that a shady processor that tries to hide details from you isn't your only choice in this business.

These days, I work with a company that truly honors transparency, and I can always expect them to give me an accurate report that stays true to the original contract. After spending nearly two decades working with different processors with varying results, I stopped allowing this kind of vagueness in reporting to be acceptable to me, and I'm very glad I did.

If you find yourself frustrated in a similar way by the statements that you receive, then maybe it's time that you raise your standards as well. Remember that there are tons of options out there, and that you don't need to stay with a processor that doesn't respect the agreement that you signed or that makes tons of mistakes when calculating your share.

So, have you ever experienced an inaccuracy in your statement? What did you do to fix it? Let me know your story, especially if your experience might be of value to others.

Posted by: Scott Shaw AT 07:12 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Thursday, May 18 2023
Merchant Services Sales Training: What You Need to Know

Merchant services sales is one of the hottest and most lucrative sales industries on the market right now, and for that reason it is incredibly attractive. It is true that you can earn great money being a merchant services agent, but it often requires a strict training program and dedication to the craft. If you want to be successful in merchant sales, then there are some key pillars that you will need to be familiar with that will help you to succeed and thrive in merchant services sales. By following this crucial training structure, you can set yourself up for success in the merchant services industry.

Pursue a quality partnership

The first concept that you will need to be familiar with in your merchant services sales training regimen is that you should pursue a quality partnership and arrangement with a merchant services provider. As a merchant services salesperson, you will work under the umbrella of a merchant services provider that will be the backbone of your business. The partner that you choose will administer these services to the merchants that you sell to, so it’s very important that you find a merchant services provider that is reputable and can provide you with all the benefits that you need for success in the merchant services industry.

There are a few things that you should look for in a quality partnership with a merchant services provider such as prompt payment, good payment structure, frequent bonuses, large share of profits, quality support staff, solutions for every industry, and tools to help you succeed. A quality partner that can provide you with all of these things is one that can help catapult you to success in merchant services and enjoyment of a life that earns passive income. It’s critically important that you make the right decision when it comes to the merchant services provider that you choose.

Optimize your pricing structure

While sales is mostly about making connections with businesses and selling your products, there are a lot of other things that you can do to help yourself have success. One of the more subtle things that you can do is to optimize your pricing structure to provide you with more margin and more opportunities to increase your revenue. There are several ways that you can do this by offering upsells, sticking to strict limitations when offering discounts, and others.

While a change in your pricing structure might not make a large effect right away, when the effects are compounded over hundreds of transactions, you can notice a very large difference that will greatly impact the trajectory of your merchant services career.

The more options, the better

When you are going through the preliminary stages of training to be a merchant services agent, one of the most important things that you should be on the lookout for is a merchant services provider that doesn’t limit you by their payment processing capability or options. You should seek to work with a merchant services partner that provides you with a wide range of payment processing options such as debit, credit, cash, ACH, and others. When your partner offers these additional methods, you can offer them to your merchants. Merchants like to be presented with multiple options and flexibility, so if you can offer them flexibility in their payment processing solution, then they are more likely to work with you for their merchant services needs.

Providing good customer service

One of the most important lessons that you will learn in merchant services sales training is that customer service should be your main priority at all times. The customer is the most important party in the entire transaction and without happy customers as your merchants, you will find a very hard time succeeding in merchant services sales.

Providing good customer service is something that you will have to master if you want to get to the point where you are converting more customers and increasing your portfolio of merchants. To do this, you should be sure to always be attentive to customers’ needs, answer questions in a timely manner, and be able to get in touch with them whenever they need something from you.

However, you are not the only important person in the process when it comes to customer service. You should be partnering with a merchant services provider that also values the power of good customer service if you want to have success in merchant services sales. This means evaluating how well your merchant services provider is able to meet the needs of customers and what their reputation is for providing service to the merchants that they oversee.

If you can provide a good customer service experience to your merchants, then they are much more likely to continue coming back to you time and again for their processing needs.

Free terminals included

If you want to have success in merchant services sales, then you’ll quickly learn one of the secrets of the industry is to include a free terminal for your merchant. Not only do merchants love to have free bonuses included in their processing packages, but you’ll also be providing your merchant with a POS that is specifically designed to increase performance and efficiency while using your offering of processing solutions. With a terminal that is specifically designed to help your solution work in the best way possible, you can be sure that they are getting the best possible user experience that they could want.

This also helps your relationship with the merchant. Providing them with incentives is one thing, but they can take additional confidence in knowing that they are partnered with an agent that cares enough about their merchants to ensure that they have the proper equipment to get the job done the right way. If you want to increase your conversion rate and improve the quality of your relationships with your merchants, then offering a free POS system is a great way to do so and is now considered industry-standard.

Posted by: Shaw Merchant Group AT 03:21 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Friday, May 12 2023
How to Pick the Best Merchant Services Agent or ISO Program

Are you planning to become a merchant service provider? When it comes to selling merchant services, there are thousands of ISO agent programs for you to choose from. It is very exciting to become a merchant services provider. However, without the necessary information and details, it is very easy for you to fail. The merchant services business is both complex and lucrative. There are several ISO agent programs available. Choosing the one to suit your specific needs can be very tricky, but luckily we are going to give you expert advice and tips on choosing the best one. Some factors to consider in order to become a merchant service provider include the tools offered by the company you chose, technology use, and customer supports. This article paints a clear picture of what a great ISO agent program should look like.

9 Characteristics of a Good Merchant Service ISO Program

The following are some of the key characteristics that define a reliable ISO agent program. A company with the following traits increases your chances of being successful in your credit card processing business.

Exceptional Customer Service

This is one of the most critical characteristics of a good ISO agent program. However, it is one of the most overlooked things when an agent wants to become an ISO and when seeking out an ISO partner. In the merchant services business, the worst-case scenario would be to receive complaints from your clients, and you are unable to get in touch with your merchant services partner. This can really ruin your business. It is a great practice to look for an ISO agent program that provides 24/7 customer support. In addition, the customer care representatives should be able to attend to any questions, both general and technical, within the shortest time possible.

Same-Day Funds Deposits

This is another important feature to look out for when choosing a ISO agent program. Clients do not have to wait for long to get their funds deposited into their bank account when a transaction is made. The same day funding is a great incentive that will leave your clients happy and also help you when promoting your business.

Ability to Handle High-Risk Merchant Accounts

Though you might not be dealing with clients who have high-risk transactions such as travel agencies, CBD companies, bail bonds, credit collections, medical marijuana, etc. it is important for the ISO agent program you choose to handle high-risk merchant account. You might get clients who operate high-risk operations, and therefore the benefit of this is to ensure that the business of your clients is running smoothly without any payment glitches.

Great Discount Opportunities

The fees associated with credit card processing are quite high. These high fees have been causing businesses to scramble. The cash discount or dual pricing program enable merchants to implement a service fee to customers who pay via credit card and issue discounts to those who pay via cash. The merchant does not have to pay a fee for each transaction they run, and therefore this saves them money. You should, therefore, ensure you find a ISO agent program that offers these opportunities.

Assistance on Marketing

When it comes to credit card processing business, marketing can be the hard part. However, with a great team behind you to offer marketing assistance, it becomes easy. For you to turn cold leads to warm leads, you will need an effective plan or hire a marketing team. They will assist in providing marketing information as well as design on marketing brochers ect.

Flexible Compensation Plan

Getting paid is one of the most important steps as a merchant services provider. It is critical to get compensated for the work and effort you put into your merchant services business. Look out for a ISO agent program that will help you realize your goals and meet your needs. Note: Pay attention to the agreement document to make sure you understand all the details.

Residual Income Tracking

A good ISO agent program will help you get residual analytics; this is very important for your business. The use of technology and the latest software to track residual income is a must for a good ISO agent program that you are going to choose. You should be able to see, at a glance, these details: number of clients, average profit, average ticket, top 10 merchants, and more.

Infrastructure

For the success of your credit card processing business, it is critical to look for an ISO partnership who readily avails the necessary infrastructure to you. The payment technology is very dynamic, and each year, there are new changes and improvements. There are several other payment methods that have come up. A good ISO agent program should give you access to these assortments of payment processing products. All these will give your clients payment processing options to choose from, which helps them to run their business smoothly. A good ISO agent program should be in the capacity to support most of the following infrastructures:

  • Point of sale options to suit the need of your clients and buyers
  • Smart terminals Online payment processing
  • Mobile payments options
  • A gift card and loyalty programs
  • Check processing services

Multi Relationship with Various Banking Options

A great ISO agent program should facilitate a solid relationship with several banks. This creates options to resort to incase one bank declines an account. With this feature, you will have peace of mind and be able to easily close deals and get paid.

Posted by: Scott Shaw AT 07:09 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Sunday, April 16 2023
Selling Your Merchant Services Business | Overview

There are lots of reasons why building a merchant services business can be extremely lucrative, not the least of which is the fact that you can build a lasting asset (your residuals), which you can then sell. In fact, I spoke to someone in the industry today, and he was telling me all about his plan when he leaves the business and how he's planning to sell his residuals. What that conversation made me realize, though, is that lots of people underestimate the power of those residuals. The best thing you can do with this income is to use it as capital.

To be able to sell your business in the long-run, you need to make sure that you start the business the right way in the first place. There are some major things you're going to have to take into consideration so that your company is able to grow:

1) Own your portfolio's residuals. Maybe this seems very transparently obvious to you; after all, what's the point if you don't own your source of income? However, it's not uncommon that sales agents will lose their entire portfolio simply because they did not read the agreement that they made with their processor closely enough. You should always consider what might happen if you just decide to stop selling; if the answer is that you will lose your hard-earned residuals, then choose another partner.

2) Be able to sell your residuals. If you can't sell something, do you really own it, then? Sometimes processors will require you to have to consider an offer from them before selling to an outsider, and that's fine, but just make sure you are free to choose.

3) Find out if you can borrow cash against your residuals. A large ISO that isn't operating as a middle man should be able to lend you money. If they can't, this is a problem. Usually, you're going to want to exhaust several options before a buyout, and this includes borrowing.

So let's assume you have all of these issues squared away and are the proud owner of a growing portfolio of accounts. Now you can start to use that asset to raise some capital!

Before you do anything else, though, take a look at these general guidelines that will help you get a better picture of what is going on when the selling occurs:

Do you qualify? Don't bother trying to pump any cash from your portfolio before you have at least two dozen accounts or so. Make sure that your accounts are making at least $1000 every month as well. You will be hard pressed to find anyone who would want to buy residuals less than this.

Performing a buyout: When you perform an 100% upfront buyout, you'll get about 12 to 20 times the monthly worth of the accounts that you're selling. This is a rough estimate, but adjust your expectations accordingly.

Performing an earn-out: Basically, this is the same as a buyout, except you get less upfront. Some of the money is upfront, and the rest is sent to you in increments with the stipulation that your accounts don't get canceled and that they continue brining in a certain amount of money. This will yield you more than a buyout in the long run—about 20 to 24 times your monthly income.

Performing a secure buyout: Let's say you have a significantly-sized portfolio and you only want to sell some of your residuals. You can sell some of those accounts, and then use your others as collateral essentially to guarantee against any cancellations. This means less risk for the processor, so they are usually willing to pay more.

Getting a loan: Maybe you just need to borrow some liquid cash and use your residuals as a guarantee. Most ISOs can do this for you. Usually, you can borrow anywhere from a few months to up to a year's worth of residuals. The terms will vary depending on your merchant services ISO program. Since of course your ISO will be interested in minimizing risk, just show that you are using the funds to grow, and you'll have a better chance at getting the deal you want. Your ISO will also usually offer better terms than outside lenders.

Did this article help you learn more about how to turn your portfolio into a machine that pumps out capital? Do you have a portfolio that you're looking to use right now for these sorts of purposes? Contact us and we'll show you the way.

Posted by: Scott Shaw AT 09:05 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Friday, March 31 2023
How Much Can You Make Selling Merchant Services?

When you're new to selling merchant services, lots of things can get confusing, but one of the most confusing things that you will have to deal with is understanding all of the statements that affect your residuals, and especially the fee schedules that determine your costs. Many times, this can be so cryptic that your partner company may actually spend some time and effort explaining the fees to you. At the very least, they should provide you with some kind of written material that demystifies things. Even still, things might not always be totally clear.

In order for you to have a better idea of your Schedule A as a new Merchant Services Sales Agent, let's break down the various sections so that you're not completely in the dark:

Authorization and Capture / Settlement Per Item Fee - A key part of your Schedule A, you'll want to pay close attention to this section specifically. These fees are associated with the front-end platform. Should the processor that you work with offer more than one front-end, this section might look a bit different, as they may break everything down further and have different costs listed for different front-ends.

First and foremost, you need to have your Schedule A on hand, so make sure that you ask your payment processor or merchant services provider for a copy. After that, you're going to have to figure out whether these three fees are depicted as one entire line or if they are broken down. Depending on your provider, they may be expressed differently. For example, you might find an “Authorization” line with a fee listed as $0.02, and that might seem uncommonly generous, but then there will be a “Capture” line that lists a fee of $0.07, and then a “Settlement” fee of $0.01, bringing the fees up to a total of $0.10. Other times, things will be combined already; for another example, you might see a line that reads “Authorize and Capture” with a fee of $0.06, and below that a “Settlement” fee of $0.02, making the total front-end transaction cost $0.08.

Since this is kind of complicated, you usually won't bother to break things down for merchants. As you explain things to them, just tell them about the total transaction fee and don't have them worry about the details. For you personally, though, these broken down fees will mean a lot more because they can certainly affect your residuals. To illustrate how your fees can make a huge difference in your profit margin, let's say you have a portfolio of 100 merchants and, on average, they perform 500 transactions per month per merchant. Now, let's say that you charge $0.10 for your transaction fee. With 50,000 transactions, that means you are grossing $5,000 in revenue every month. How much of that will you keep? Well, if you're being charged $0.05 total per item by your processor, then your margins are 50%, and you take home $2,500. However, if your fees per item are $0.08, then you're only making $1,000 per month in profit. That's quite a difference. As you can see, your profit margins will depend largely on your fees, so you need to stay on top of them.

Settlement Fees and Batch Fees - If you think that your Schedule A gets less confusing after all that authorization and capture stuff, then you're in for an unpleasant surprise. You might find that in addition to a settlement fee per item, there is also a fee per “batch.” The point of this fee may not be immediately obvious, but it's basically like this:

For instance, maybe one of your merchants performs 100 transactions via credit card one day. You would be charged a settlement fee that applies “per item” for each of these individual transactions. When your merchant is closing up for the day, however, and they settle by sending the batch of daily transactions to the processor, then there will also be a “batch fee.”

More than likely, your processor will have this fee on the Schedule A. Almost all of them do, so be sure to look at this section for how much you are being charged and pass the cost onto your merchant accordingly. As another example, your processor might charge $0.07 per batch (your cost), and you might decide to charge your merchant $0.25 per batch (your revenue). In this case, you're making $0.18 in profit whenever that terminal is settled at the end of the day.

Bank Identification Number (BIN) Sponsorship - You might find this section expressed a few different ways. All this really means is that your processor is keeping a tiny percentage of the profits (measured usually in a few basis points) before they give you your share. In case you were wondering what a basis point is, it's just 1% of 1%, or 1/100th of 1/100th (1%) if you want to break it down. So for instance, let's say your merchant processes $20,000. If the BIN sponsorship fee is 5 basis points, then your processor is keeping $10.00 before giving you your share of the profit.

Now, there are definitely more items on your Schedule A than just these, but they're the key lines that you should keep a close eye on, and they're the basic items that you will find with most processors. For information about other sections that may appear on your Schedule A, you should ask your processor for an explanation. In essence, these three line items are important because they are what is going to determine how much you charge your merchant. As with any business, you're going to have to deal with costs compared to your revenue, which is what determines profit—and the fees are basically your cost. You're going to use your Schedule A as a detailed list of your costs, and from there you can come up with a fair and profitable fee schedule for your merchants. That difference between revenue (the fees your merchant pays) and cost (the fees your processor charges) every month is what will give you your merchant residuals.

Posted by: SMG Admin AT 07:39 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Sunday, February 12 2023
Cash Discount Programs for Merchants: What to Expect

If you are a merchant that is discussing the possibility of enrolling in a cash discount program to save you money on your processing, then you are no doubt wondering what to expect and whether it's a good decision for your business. Every decision that you make concerning your business must be made carefully. You care a lot about your business and you would never want to endanger it by making a decision too early or without enough consideration. If you want to truly get the most out of your merchant services experience, then you must at least explore the possibility of enrolling in a cash discount program.

 

However, you might not even know where to start. If you’ve never enrolled in a cash discount program, you probably don’t know what to expect or how the program could affect your business. We are here to provide you with some guidance and give you the information that you need to make an informed and well-timed decision for your business. In this overview of the cash discount program, we’ll provide a fair and balanced summary of the benefits of the program and also show you some of the potential downsides.

What is a Cash Discount Program?

If you run a business, you are probably familiar with cash discounts. However, cash discounts have become a dying practice. This is mostly because processing cost have put a burden on businesses and they would rather keep the extra margin from the cash to help fund operations. However, a cash discount program offered by a merchant services company is a completely different concept that has been helping to restore these programs across the country.

 

A modern-day cash discount program is the same in theory as the "cash discounts" of the past in that it incentivizes the customer to pay with cash to provide them with a cheaper price. However, it is much different in the way that the savings are applied. With a traditional cash discount offering, a percentage of the transaction would be deducted from the total when customers choose to pay with cash. This saves the customer and the merchant each a little bit of money, but nothing significant.

 

In a merchant services cash discount program, the rate is applied to any transaction that is being paid with plastic. The advertised price on your products and services will be paid if the transaction is paid in cash. This passes the cost to those that choose to pay with credit cards and saves the merchant money on processing.

 

Benefits of Cash Discount Programs

As you can ascertain from our summary of cash discount programs, there are quite a lot of benefits to like about cash discount programs and what they have to offer for businesses that use a lot of processing services. Here are some of the benefits that you can enjoy when you choose a cash discount program for your business.

Lower Cost

When you accept fewer card payments as a merchant, it will inevitably mean that you are paying less in processing cost. Processing cost don't sound like a lot at first, but they can certainly pile up and make a difference in your balance sheet. If you want to avoid processing cost as much as possible, then the best way to do so is to enroll in a cash discount program with your merchant services provider.

 

The main benefit of a cash discount program from the merchant's point of view is that it enables the merchant to pass on the cost to the consumer through a cash discount program. This leaves the merchant with basically no cost to pay in the end.

Easy Implementation

Many merchants shy away from these sorts of programs because while they would be beneficial for the merchant, many fear that they are difficult to implement. Without the right partner, this might be the case. However, if you choose the right merchant services partner, the implementation can be incredibly easy and painless. Most merchant service providers will provide their merchants with signage to explain the switch and guidance on how to change the process without angering customers. In addition, merchants might be able to gain access to free POS equipment to assist in the system change.

More Cash Payments

When you implement a cash discount program, it only stands to reason that you will start to incentivize more cash payments. More cash payments mean savings for your customer and more margin for you. Once the merchant's customers realize that they can save money by paying in cash, they will be incentivized to do so and it will ease the burden that processing and card payments have on your business. In addition, the business can charge just as much as it was before the switch for the products, except they will not have to adjust for processing cost.

Merchant Fraud Protection

With fewer credit card transactions going through your business, you will also be opening yourself up to less fraud and chargebacks. One of the most common issues with credit card payments is the fraud that often occurs in credit card transactions. When a merchant is accepting more cash than cards, the chances of fraud, and the cost to your business decreases with every transaction.

Drawbacks to Cash Discount Programs

Though there are many benefits of using a cash discount program, there are also drawbacks that prevent some businesses from making the leap. One of the most common reasons for hesitant businesses is the fact that not many consumers prefer to use cash in the modern era. Many transactions are done exclusively with credit cards, and many consumers even dislike using cash altogether. Forcing customers to use cash to get the cheaper price could put your relationship with them at risk. This risk can be mitigated by making it clear why the program is in place, how it benefits both consumer and merchant, and how easy the process is. With open communication, participating in a cash discount program should be a breeze for your business.

Posted by: Shaw Merchant Group AT 02:22 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email

ISO Agent Partnership

Guide to Boosting Sales as an Independent Sales Agent for Payment Processing Services

If you're an independent sales agent in the payment processing industry, then you know just how competitive and challenging it can be to stand out and drive sales. But fear not, because in this comprehensive guide, we will equip you with the knowledge and strategies you need to take your sales game to the next level and achieve extraordinary results. Whether you're a seasoned professional looking to refine your skills or a newbie eager to make your mark, we have got you covered. Get ready to unlock the secrets of boosting sales like never before, because with our proven techniques, your success as an independent sales agent is guaranteed. Let's dive in!

What is Payment Processing and Why is it Important?

Payment processing is an essential component of modern-day commerce, encompassing a range of crucial activities that occur when a customer seeks to utilize their credit card or other payment method to acquire goods or services from a business. As the backbone of financial transactions, this process involves myriad tasks, including validating the customer's identity, ensuring they possess adequate available funds, and ultimately executing the transaction in a secure manner, thereby seamlessly transferring the funds to the respective business. In order to become a payment provider and excel in this dynamic industry, it is imperative to gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricate mechanics involved in payment processing. By mastering the intricacies of verifying identities, managing funds securely, and facilitating seamless transactions, one can confidently establish themselves as a reliable and efficient payment provider.

In conclusion, payment processing has become an indispensable aspect of modern business operations, particularly in a world where customers increasingly rely on credit cards and digital payment methods. By enabling businesses to securely accept these forms of payment, this vital system not only ensures safe transactions but also reduces the costs associated with handling physical payments like cash or checks. Moreover, payment processing provides businesses with invaluable insights into customer payment preferences and behaviors, which can be leveraged to develop more effective marketing strategies and enhance overall customer experiences. For those interested in entering the field, becoming a credit card processing agent offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the seamless operation of businesses and facilitate efficient financial transactions in today's digital landscape.

Strategies for Increasing Sales as an Independent Payment Processing Agent

As an independent payment processing agent, I firmly believe that the best way to skyrocket sales is through the establishment of a robust referral network. To achieve this, one must leverage existing relationships with customers and prospects, engaging with local business communities, and even consider establishing partnerships with organizations in other industries. By doing so, we can tap into a broader customer base and extend our reach beyond conventional boundaries. With utmost confidence in our abilities, we can continue to expand and excel in the world of selling credit card processing, ultimately becoming the best ISO agent program in the industry.

In order to maximize success in the payment processing industry, merchant sales representatives must not only establish a robust referral network but also focus on creating impactful marketing materials that directly appeal to potential clients. A key aspect of this involves the development of an effective website or blog that showcases the company's expertise and highlights the benefits of their payment processing services. By creating informative and engaging content that educates customers about the intricacies and advantages of payment processing, merchant sales representatives can establish trust and credibility with potential clients. Furthermore, employing digital marketing strategies such as search engine optimization (SEO) and targeted paid advertising can help ensure that the marketing materials reach their intended audience. By confidently implementing these marketing approaches, merchant sales representatives can attract a steady stream of clients in need of reliable payment processing services.

All in all, when it comes to payment processing partnerships, establishing a reliable customer service system is crucial for ensuring client satisfaction and garnering positive recommendations. By promptly responding to customer inquiries, implementing a rewards program for loyal patrons, and offering occasional discounts or promotions on selected services, businesses can create a positive customer experience that fosters loyalty and trust. This not only enhances the overall reputation of the payment processing partnerships, but also increases the likelihood of attracting new customers through the power of positive word-of-mouth. An efficient customer service system not only resolves any issues or concerns promptly but also goes the extra mile to provide exceptional service, making clients feel valued and appreciated. By focusing on building strong relationships with customers through a reliable customer service system, businesses can secure their position in the payment processing industry and continue to thrive in this competitive market.

Building Relationships with Business Clients

When building relationships with business clients in the field of selling merchant services, it is imperative to prioritize their needs and provide comprehensive solutions. One crucial aspect is to ensure that clients' payment processing needs are met effectively. This involves offering reliable and secure services that not only streamline the payment process but also instill confidence in both the business and their customers. By becoming a registered Independent Sales Organization (ISO), businesses can gain credibility and access a plethora of tools and resources. These resources enable them to provide top-notch payment processing services, making transactions seamless and secure. Becoming a registered ISO demonstrates a high level of professionalism and expertise in the payment processing industry, establishing trust with clients and creating long-lasting relationships.

Thereafter, by incorporating features such as automated payments and real-time reporting into the payment processing system, businesses can experience a significant boost in efficiency and productivity. With automated payments, transactions are executed seamlessly, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing the potential for human error. Additionally, real-time reporting provides businesses with instant access to vital financial data, allowing them to make informed decisions promptly. As a credit card processing agent, understanding the importance of these features and being able to effectively communicate the benefits to clients sets the stage for success. By confidently offering these streamlined payment solutions, businesses can not only enhance their own operations but also provide their customers with a seamless and convenient payment experience.

Differentiating Yourself from the Competition

To become a payment processor, it is crucial to distinguish ourselves from the competition. Our ability to stand out lies in emphasizing our exceptional competitive advantages that set us apart. One key advantage is our secure payment systems, which not only ensure the confidentiality of sensitive information but also protect our customers from potential fraudulent activities. Furthermore, our commitment to providing fast transaction speeds enables our clients to seamlessly conduct business, saving them valuable time and resources. By offering low costs for our customers, we demonstrate our dedication to their success by enabling them to maximize their profits. Additionally, our comprehensive customer service sets us apart from competitors, as we prioritize building strong relationships with our clients and ensuring their satisfaction throughout the payment process. With these remarkable advantages in mind, we confidently position ourselves as leaders in the payment processing industry, committed to delivering reliable, secure, and efficient services to our valued customers.

At our company, we go beyond just selling payment processing solutions. We understand the importance of convenience for our customers, and that's why we make it a priority to highlight the convenience of our services. Our payment processing solutions not only ensure seamless transactions but also provide a sense of reliability that surpasses those offered by other companies. We take pride in being a trusted and reliable payment gateway agent, offering secure and efficient payment solutions to our valued customers. With our advanced technology and expertise in the field, we confidently assure our clients that their payments will be processed seamlessly and without any glitches.

Again, our ability to leverage our technology and expertise in the field of selling payment processing allows us to offer customers a superior experience compared to other providers. By incorporating state-of-the-art point-of-sale systems, we can streamline transactions, increase efficiency, and enhance overall customer satisfaction. With our competitive edge in the market, we are confident that we can not only meet but exceed the expectations of our customers. We understand that how to sell point-of-sale systems is crucial, and by offering an exceptional experience, we firmly believe that we can become the go-to choice for businesses in need of payment processing solutions. With our commitment to innovation, exceptional customer service, and unmatched technological capabilities, we are poised to lead the industry and revolutionize the way businesses handle their payments.

Negotiating Tactics to Increase Your Revenue Share

When it comes to payment processing, one surefire strategy to boost your revenue share is by skillfully negotiating better terms. By taking the initiative in these discussions, you can secure lower processing fees, more advantageous rates on refunds and chargebacks, or even expedite the payout process. The power lies in your hands to shape the agreement to your advantage. Considering the overall challenges that come with selling credit card processing, it is crucial to harness your confidence and leverage the potential benefits that negotiation brings. While this task may seem daunting at first, with a solid understanding of your business needs and industry standards, you can confidently approach the negotiating table and secure a payment processing agreement that significantly improves your profitability.

When negotiating for better terms in payment processing, it is essential to consider the type of payment you are accepting. Different payment options can have varying fees associated with them, impacting your profitability. For instance, credit card payments commonly come with higher processing fees compared to alternatives like ACH transfers or PayPal payments. Therefore, understanding how much money you can make selling credit card processing becomes crucial in obtaining favorable terms for your business. By recognizing the potential differences in fees and being confident in your knowledge of the payment processing landscape, you can negotiate better agreements that optimize your earnings.

Moreover, having a thorough understanding of industry standards and acceptable ranges for payment processing fees and terms is crucial when it comes to negotiating with providers and securing the best deal for your business. By being familiar with these industry standards, you can confidently approach merchant services partnerships, knowing exactly what you are entitled to and what is considered fair. This knowledge empowers you to assertively negotiate terms that align with your business goals and profitability. Ultimately, by staying well-informed and proactive in your approach to payment processing, you can ensure that your business benefits from competitive rates and favorable terms, helping you maximize revenue and maintain a strong financial foundation.

Leveraging Social Media to Promote Your Services

To successfully sell point of sale systems and maximize your payment processing services through social media, it is crucial to prioritize building brand awareness. This can be achieved by authentically engaging with potential customers and creating compelling content that resonates with them. By leveraging the power of social media platforms, you have immense opportunities to reach your target audience and capture their attention. Engaging with potential customers involves actively participating in discussions, responding to inquiries, and addressing any concerns they may have about your payment processing services. Additionally, crafting informative and engaging content that emphasizes the benefits and features of your point of sale systems will attract potential customers and build trust in your brand's expertise. By consistently providing valuable information and showcasing your industry knowledge, you establish yourself as a reputable provider in the payment processing sector. With a confident tone, you can confidently assert that embracing social media as a means to promote your payment processing services will undoubtedly enhance your brand awareness and ultimately drive sales in selling point of sale systems.

Finally, once the brand awareness is established and your reputation as a reliable payment processing provider is solidified, the next step is to utilize the immense reach of social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. By strategically utilizing these platforms, you can effectively spread the word about your top-notch services, including selling POS systems, to a wider audience. The power of social media lies in its ability to connect millions of potential customers, enabling you to not only promote your offerings but also engage with your target market directly. With a confident approach, you can captivate their attention, build trust, and ultimately drive more customers to make use of your exceptional payment processing services.

Wrapping up

In conclusion, armed with the knowledge and strategies outlined in this comprehensive guide, you are now fully equipped to conquer the competitive world of the payment processing services industry. With our proven techniques, you can confidently set yourself apart and drive extraordinary sales results. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a newbie eager to make your mark, success as an merchant processing agent is within reach. So, let's dive in and unlock the secrets of boosting sales like never before. The stage is set for your unparalleled success – go out there and make it happen!

White Label ISO Program

How to Leverage White-Label Payment Solutions for Exponential Growth in Your Merchant Services ISO

Are you looking for ways to enhance your business, attract more clients, and increase your revenue? Well, you're in the right place! White-label payment solutions offer a powerful tool for ISOs to expand their services and tap into new markets with confidence. In this post, we will explore the various benefits of adopting white-label payment processing solutions and guide you through the steps to successfully implement them in your business. Get ready to take your merchant services ISO to new heights and propel your growth to unprecedented levels. Let's dive in!

Introducing White Label Payment Solutions 

Introducing white label merchant services is an exceptional strategy to empower your customers by simplifying their payment processing needs. As a single point of entry, this innovative solution offers utmost convenience to customers, making their transactions hassle-free. Furthermore, white label payment solutions provide a diverse range of payment options, perfectly suited to the unique requirements of individual customers. With these tailored services at their fingertips, customers can confidently choose the option that best suits their preferences. By embracing white label credit card processing solutions, you are not only meeting the demands of your customers but also solidifying your position as a trusted and forward-thinking business in the realm of payment processing.

Also, white label payment processing solutions empower businesses with the tools and capabilities to become credit card processors themselves. By utilizing these solutions, businesses can easily navigate the complex world of selling payment processing and offer a seamless experience to their customers. The streamlined customer data management and security features provided by white label payment solutions ensure that businesses can handle sensitive customer information with confidence, without compromising on data protection. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies like tokenization, these solutions strengthen the barriers against potential cyber threats, further solidifying the trust customers place in the business. With white label payment solutions, businesses gain the ability to become credit card processors while enhancing customer data security and maintaining a strong competitive edge in the market.

Benefits of Leveraging White Label Payment Solutions 

Leveraging white label credit card processing solutions is a game-changer for businesses in the competitive world of selling merchant services. With this approach, businesses have the power to create a custom-branded payment experience that sets them apart from the competition. By offering an enhanced level of convenience and service, businesses can boost customer satisfaction and loyalty. This means that customers can enjoy a seamless payment process that aligns perfectly with the business's brand and values. The confidence gained from such a solution can be invaluable in building a strong reputation and attracting new customers. With white label payment processing, businesses can confidently present their brand and provide an exceptional payment experience, making it an essential tool in the realm of merchant services.

In conclusion, white label payment processing offers businesses a convenient and efficient way to handle their payment transactions. By utilizing a pre-built technology that has been thoroughly tested and approved, companies can save valuable time and resources that would otherwise be spent on building the payment system from scratch. This not only eliminates the need for extensive development efforts but also ensures a reliable and secure payment solution for their customers. With the time and resources saved, businesses can instead focus on enhancing other aspects of their operations, such as marketing strategies or customer support. Therefore, by incorporating a white label payment solution into their business model, companies gain a competitive edge in the market and provide an enhanced experience for their customers. If you are looking to streamline your payment process and optimize your merchant services, embracing white label payment processing is undoubtedly the smart choice.

What to Look for When Choosing a White Label Payment Processor 

When it comes to selling payment processing services, the choice of a white label payment processor is of utmost importance. In order to ensure a successful and trustworthy partnership, it is crucial to select a processor that offers secure and reliable processing solutions. The processor should prioritize the security of your data by implementing robust encryption measures. Additionally, round-the-clock customer support should be available to address any concerns or issues that may arise. Being PCI compliant is also a key factor to look for, as this certification guarantees adherence to industry standards and regulations. By carefully considering these factors, you can confidently choose a white label payment processor that will meet your business needs and provide your customers with a seamless payment experience.

When it comes to white label payment processing, it is crucial to consider various factors to ensure the success of your business. Apart from the advantages of branding and customization, you should also focus on finding a processor that aligns with your specific needs. As part of this process, it is essential to examine the cost of the processor's services and their accepted payment methods. By doing so, you can ensure that the pricing is competitive and that the payment options offered are flexible enough to cater to your customers' preferences. Additionally, it is important to look for a processor that provides a wide range of features aimed at streamlining payments within your organization. These features could include advanced analytics, fraud prevention tools, and easy-to-use integrations. By taking all of these factors into account, you can confidently choose a white label payment processor that not only meets your needs but also allows you to effectively sell merchant services and drive the growth of your business.

Again, when considering white label payment services, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate the customer service and technical support provided by the processor. This aspect becomes particularly vital if one intends to utilize the processor for high-volume transactions or on a regular basis. By ensuring that the chosen processor offers prompt response times and is capable of assisting with any technical issues that may arise, merchants can have the confidence and peace of mind needed to efficiently operate their businesses. The provision of exceptional customer service and reliable technical support is indicative of a trusted white label payment processor that can effectively meet the needs and demands of merchants.

Becoming a White Label Reseller 

Becoming a white label payment processing reseller presents businesses with an exciting array of lucrative opportunities. By seamlessly selling payment processing services under their own brand, businesses can effortlessly tap into new revenue streams and broaden their customer base. This venture not only allows businesses to bolster their bottom line but also enables them to provide added value to their existing customers. The ability to offer payment processing services in their own name instills confidence and trust in clients, elevating the overall customer experience and solidifying their position as a trusted provider in the industry. Embracing the white label payment processing model not only promises significant financial rewards but also positions businesses as leaders, poised to seize the many advantages this industry has to offer.

Becoming a merchant account reseller in the realm of white label payment processing requires businesses to carefully select the most suitable merchant services ISO that caters to their specific needs and budgetary requirements. The choice of a white label payment processor is crucial, and businesses should not only focus on the fees associated with each processor but also the range of services they offer, including fraud protection and customer support. By diligently considering these factors, businesses can confidently select a white label credit card processor that optimizes their reselling capabilities in the merchant services industry.

Additionally, when selecting a white label payment processor, businesses must prioritize compliance with all applicable financial regulations and laws in their jurisdiction to guarantee legal operations. This is crucial for ensuring that the white label payment solutions they offer to their customers meet the necessary standards and adhere to industry regulations. By taking the necessary steps to ensure compliance, businesses can confidently provide their clients with trustworthy and secure payment processing services while mitigating the risk of legal repercussions. Operating within legal boundaries is not only essential for maintaining a positive reputation in the market but also for building long-term and successful partnerships with merchants who rely on reliable and compliant white label payment solutions.

Merchant Onboarding and Support Considerations 

When it comes to white label payment processing, the rapid onboarding of merchants and the availability of essential support are absolutely crucial. The success of selling payment processing services heavily relies on the provider's ability to quickly and efficiently integrate new merchants into their system. This ensures that businesses can start accepting payments seamlessly and without any unnecessary delays. Furthermore, the provider must offer comprehensive support to merchants, addressing any inquiries or concerns they might have, and providing them with the tools and resources needed for a smooth payment processing experience. Without these essential components, the effectiveness of selling payment processing services would be greatly compromised. However, with a reliable white label payment processing solution that prioritizes fast onboarding and robust support, businesses can confidently offer payment processing services to their customers, knowing that they have a strong foundation to build upon.

All in all, white label payment solutions are an essential tool for businesses in today's fast-paced and competitive market. Their customizable nature allows companies to create a seamless and branded payment experience for their customers, giving them a sense of trust and loyalty. This is especially crucial when it comes to merchant disputes, as these situations require a swift and knowledgeable response from the payment processor to ensure customer satisfaction. By utilizing white label payment processing, businesses can guarantee that any issues that arise are handled efficiently and effectively, further enhancing the overall customer experience. With its proven track record and ability to adapt to specific business needs, white label payment solutions are undoubtedly the go-to choice for companies seeking a reliable and professional payment processing service.

Reaping the Rewards of Utilizing White Label Payment Solutions

Utilizing white label payment solutions for selling merchant services is an incredibly efficient and effective approach. With these solutions, businesses can easily tap into the benefits of payment processing without the need for extensive development and testing. By taking advantage of a pre-built platform that has already been rigorously tested and certified for use, companies can confidently offer their customers seamless, secure, and reliable payment processing services. White label payment solutions provide a convenient and hassle-free route to quickly establish a competitive edge in the market, allowing businesses to focus on building their brand and expanding their customer base.

White label credit card processing is a game-changer for businesses looking to efficiently accept payments. With its seamless setup, it allows businesses to start accepting payments in no time. But that's not all, it offers an extensive range of features that can greatly benefit businesses in the long run. These features are designed to help save time and money, two invaluable resources in the business world. Additionally, white label payment processing is particularly advantageous for merchant services ISOs, allowing them to provide their clients with tailored payment solutions under their own brand. With such convenience and versatility, white label payment processing confidently revolutionizes the way businesses handle transactions, making it an ideal choice for any forward-thinking organization.

However, when it comes to selling payment processing services, these features become even more crucial. The ability to offer secure data storage ensures that sensitive customer information is protected, building trust and credibility with clients. Customizable checkout experiences allow businesses to tailor the payment process to their branding, creating a seamless and consistent user experience. Fraud protection measures provide an added layer of security, safeguarding both merchants and customers from potential fraudulent activities. Additionally, the quick integration with existing systems allows for a smooth transition and minimizes downtime, ultimately maximizing efficiency and reducing any disruptions to business operations. In conclusion, by providing these comprehensive features, white label payment processing services not only make it easier to accept payments quickly but also ensure the highest level of security and reliability, empowering businesses to confidently offer top-notch payment solutions to their clientele.

Wrapping up

In conclusion, leveraging white-label payment solutions is a game-changer for Merchant Services ISOs who are looking to achieve exponential growth. By adopting these solutions, you can enhance your business, attract more clients, and increase your revenue with confidence. The benefits are vast, from expanding your services to tapping into new markets. With the steps we have outlined, you can successfully implement white-label payment solutions in your business and propel your growth to unprecedented levels. Get ready to take your merchant services ISO to new heights and watch as your business flourishes. The future is bright, and with white-label payment solutions, success is within reach. So dive in, seize the opportunity, and elevate your business to the next level.

    ©2023 Shaw Merchant Group is a registered DBA of EPX, a registered ISO of BMO Harris Bank N.A., Chicago, IL, Fresno First Bank, Fresno, CA, and Citizens Bank N.A., Providence, RI.