[David John]

With the rapid expansion of online resources, it's become incredibly appealing for companies to outsource many aspects of their business. While the result may be cost effective for that company, an unfortunate consequence to their credit card processing iso consumer is often subpar customer service.

Now, don't get me wrong - outsourcing can be awesome! But if you can't get a real, living person on the phone that you can effectively communicate with, then it can cost you the well­ being of your business, as well as some serious frustration. Before you dive in with a processor, make sure at the get­-go that they're responsive and helpful in answering any and all of your questions. They should be actively working to ensure you feel comfortable, so that you can commit to them with peace of mind.

5) Be aware of your rates

Be aware that there will always be a higher rate that applies to online transactions, as well as potential for hidden fees.

Unfortunately, there's no way around the fact that online merchant accounts pay higher fees than retail merchants. It's easier for people to commit fraudulent acts online, so to compensate, credit card companies spread that risk out across all online businesses accepting cards. Oftentimes, merchant account providers will present you with a retail rate of 1.59% that will NOT be applicable to any online transactions. Keep this in mind so you can protect yourself from any detrimental financial surprises.