Merchant Accounts

Are merchant accounts the same as merchant services? Merchant accounts are holding accounts for consumer card payments prior to the business’s payment processor transferring the funds to the business bank account. 

 

Merchant services is the suite of services that a payment processor can provide. These services include a lot more than collecting debit and credit card payments. A merchant services provider may also provide merchant accounts (e.g., banking), lease the hardware businesses use to collect payments, like a POS system, or provide secure online payment gateways for eCommerce stores. 

 

In the following blog posts, we’ll explore merchant accounts and merchant services. Can any small business get a merchant account? Or do you need to be approved? Are certain types of merchant services more important than others? Are all types of businesses charged the same fees for processing payments?

 

In addition to a general overview of merchant accounts and merchant services, we’ll look at specific industries: insurance, food, non-profit, franchises, and seasonal businesses, to name a  few. Different solutions are needed for the various requirements posed by these industries. Table for one? We’ll look at merchant services for freelancers and contract workers as well.

 

Sometimes, it can be hard for certain businesses to get approved for merchant services. This might be due to their history (or lack thereof) or even just the nature of the business. We’ll also explore how to have an easier time getting approved for a merchant account.

Merchant Tips

How to Optimize Your Invoicing Process for Faster Payments

 — 8 minutes

Timely payments are crucial for maintaining healthy cash flow, yet many businesses face delays that impact growth and add financial strain. By optimizing your invoicing process, you can improve payment speed, reduce client late fees, and enhance cash flow management. This article explores effective strategies and how ECS Payments’ solutions can help you get paid faster.

Merchant Tips

Understanding Pass-Through Fees: What They Are, How They Work, and How to Minimize Them

 — 15 minutes

Many business owners focus on cutting labor or retail costs, but a smarter way to save is by reducing credit card processing fees. Pass-through fees are often overlooked, yet they can quietly eat into profits. Understanding and managing these fees can help businesses keep more of what they earn.

Payment Solutions

Payment Processing for the Gig Economy And Freelancers

 — 12 minutes

Payment processing options for freelance and the gig economy aren’t all equal. If you are a freelancer or gig worker you have choices with how you accept payments.

Payment Solutions

Understanding Merchant Cash Advance

 — 14 minutes

Understanding merchant cash advances can open new doors for financial freedom for your business.

Credit Card Processing 101

ECS Merchant 101: Credit Card Authorization Explained

 — 13 minutes

A credit card authorization protects both the merchant and the cardholder. The merchant can ensure funds are available before delivering goods or services and

Payment Solutions

Expanding Horizons: Treu Merchant Cash Advance for E-commerce Stores

 — 13 minutes

Merchant Cash Advances are a quick and easy way for eCommerce businesses to get the funds they need when in a pinch without the need of good credit.

Payment Solutions

Merchant Accounts 101

 — 12 minutes

Merchant accounts are essential for businesses to accept digital payments such as debit and credit cards both in-person and online.

Payment Solutions

How to Sell Merchant Services

 — 17 minutes

Learning how to sell merchant services successfully means understanding your market, and addressing customer needs through active listening & authenticity.

Merchant Tips

Failproof Tip to Get Approved For a Merchant Account

 — 15 minutes

To process credit or debit card payments with your business, you must be approved for a merchant account.

Payment Solutions

How to Streamline Your Payments With the Right Healthcare Merchant Account

 — 18 minutes

Optimize healthcare payments with the right healthcare merchant account: Explore HIPAA compliance and the best payment processing for your practice.

Payment Solutions

Payment Processing for Freelancers

 — 14 minutes

Take control of your business with cost-effective payment processing for freelancers. Say goodbye to hefty platform fees and save thousands of dollars each year for your financial freedom.

Credit Card Processing 101

ECS Payments: Credit Card Processing Solutions

 — 14 minutes

The best merchant service provider is ECS Payments credit card processing solutions. Offering 1. credit and debit card processing 2. In-house support 3.Integrated gateways.