If you are a business owner, then you will know that the cost of credit card processing is one of your biggest expenses.
If you have never looked at it before, you may be surprised to find out how much money you spend on this service every month.
The good news is that there are ways to negotiate with the companies who provide these services and get them down to a more affordable price.
The first thing you need to do is make sure that you are getting the best deal for your company. You should compare different providers by looking at their fees and what they offer in terms of features.
It can be difficult to judge which ones are better because some companies charge higher prices than others but also offer more benefits.
However, if you want to save money, you should look for those that offer fewer features but lower rates. This way, you won’t lose anything important when choosing the right provider.
The next step is to select a provider based on your needs. For example, if you only accept online payments, then you don’t really need any additional features like offline payment options or fraud protection.
On the other hand, if you want to take advantage of all the extra features offered by most providers, then you might end up paying too much.
You should also consider whether you want to use an external processor or go through your own bank directly. Most banks offer their own merchant account programs, so you won’t have to pay any extra fees.
However, you could still hire an outside company to handle the process for you. In addition, many processors offer discounts for using their services.
By negotiating with multiple providers, you can see which ones give the best deals.
Finally, you should keep track of your spending over time. You can do this by keeping a spreadsheet where you record each transaction and add up the total amount spent.
Then, you can compare this figure against your monthly fee to see if you are actually saving money. If not, you can try again until you find a provider that offers a great deal.
Components Of Credit Card Processing Costs
Credit card processing costs vary depending on the type of card used as well as the number of transactions processed.
There are three main types of cards: magnetic stripe, chip, and contactless. Magnetic stripe cards require swiping machines to read the information from the card, while chip cards contain microchips that store data about the customer.
Contactless cards work by simply tapping the card against a reader without having to swipe it.
The average annual rate charged by a credit card processing company for processing a single card is between $0.50 and $1.00 per transaction.
However, this varies widely depending on the type of transaction. For instance, merchants usually pay around $0.25 per transaction for cash withdrawals. They also pay less for purchases made with gift cards and rewards points.
In addition, there are several factors that affect the overall cost of accepting credit cards such as the size of the business, location, volume of sales, and the type of equipment needed.
For example, businesses with high volumes of sales typically pay higher rates than smaller establishments. Similarly, larger stores often get better pricing because they are able to negotiate better terms with the providers.
Also, the type of equipment required will determine how much you spend on processing fees.
Some companies charge a flat rate regardless of the size of the machine, while others charge based on the square footage of space occupied by the device. Finally, some companies offer discounts for large orders.
How To Save Money When Accepting Credit Cards
There are many ways to save money when accepting credit cards.
First, you can start by comparing different providers before signing up with one. This way, you can make sure that you aren’t paying too much for the service.
Second, you can ask your current provider for a discount. Many providers offer special promotions in order to attract new customers.
Third, you can look into other options besides traditional payment methods. For example, you can accept payments via mobile devices or online banking instead of using plastic.
Tips For Lowering Credit Credit Processing Fees
By now, you know that credit card processing is an essential part of running any business. But, you may be wondering whether there are ways to lower these fees.
The answer is yes! Here are five tips for lowering credit card processing fees:
1. Shop Around Before Signing Up With A Provider
It’s important to shop around for the best price. Start by asking friends and family who have had experience with credit card processors what their experiences were like.
You can also check out reviews posted online.
2. Ask Your Current Providers About Discounts
If you already use a particular processor, then you should ask them if they offer any discounts. In most cases, they will not disclose their prices publicly, but may provide a confidential quote.
3. Consider Other Payment Options
You don’t need to stick with only credit cards. If you want to expand your services, then you can consider alternative forms of payment such as debit cards, checks, and even PayPal.
These types of transactions do not require a merchant account.
4. Use Technology That Can Reduce Costs
You can reduce costs associated with credit card processing by using technology that allows you to process multiple accounts at once.
For example, you could set up a system where you automatically send invoices to each customer after they complete a purchase. This saves time and reduces errors.
5. Look Into Online Services Instead Of Using Plastic
Instead of using plastic, you can accept payments through online banking or mobile apps.
Both of these options allow you to receive funds directly from your customers without having to wait until the end of the month.
Conclusion
To conclude, credit card processing fees are typically non-negotiable. However, there are many things you can do to minimize the amount you pay.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your company stays profitable and competitive whilst keeping your payments to a minimum.
Learn more about this topic at our merchant processing resource center.
Paul Martinez is the founder of EcomSidekick.com. He is an expert in the areas of finance, real estate, eCommerce, traffic and conversion.
Join him on EcomSidekick.com to learn how to improve your financial life and excel in these areas. Before starting this media site, Paul built from scratch and managed two multi-million dollar companies. One in the real estate sector and one in the eCommerce sector.