E-Commerce 1

Protect Your Merchant Account With Secure Payments
Are your current payment processing methods secure? The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards were created to make sure payment gateways keep your data secure. Payment Card Industry payment gateways are fully compliant with all Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards. This gateway system provides vital protection for e commerce merchants that process credit cards. Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS) is the world wide standard for consumer data protection across the payment industry. The regulation is used to protect credit card information from being stored, processed or transmitted by non PCI certified entities. PCI standards require organizations that handle bank cards to conform to security standards and follow certain levels of requirements for testing and reporting. The Standard offers a single approach to safeguarding sensitive data for all card brands. Each card type has a different name for PCI. Master Card - Site Data Protection (SDP) Program. VISA - Cardholder Information Security Program (CISP). American Express - Data Security Requirements. Discover - Discover Information and Security Compliance (DISC). Consequences for failing to comply with all data security regulations are very serious. Fines and penalties, starting at $25,000, may be accessed against the merchant banks. The banks immediately pass responsibility and liability for the fines directly to the merchant. Merchant accounts may be restricted and can be terminated on a permanent basis. The easiest way to guarantee protection for your business and your customers is to use a PCI certified e commerce processing gateway. A PCI certified gateway meets all the stringent standards demanded for PCI compliance. The gateway automatically updates all changes to PCI security, keeping you continuously protected. Using a PCI certified gateway is simply the smart way to safeguard your online business. Tina Brandon has been involved in the payment processing industry for the past 15 years. During that time she has worked with US and international banks, processors, sales organizations offering a range of electronic payment processing solutions. She is currently Vice President of TransNetSecure. www.Transnetsecure.com 972-986-8450
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Compare Merchant Accounts
“Compare Merchant Accounts” is one of the best pieces of information a company owner can receive. All merchant accounts are not created equal, and it will be up to you to find the best package for your particular enterprise. Here are a few tips to keep in mind. Compare Merchant Accounts for lenders. You need to find a reputable lender that will work with you to protect and grow your company interests. Someone who doesn’t care or who issues a merchant account solely to make money is not the best underwriter to take on as partner. Look at things like how long the company has been in business, who manages it, other services that are provided, and the company’s standing in the business community. You may want to read the newspaper’s business articles archive for recent press releases or company news. You also could browse a few industry publications to get a feel for who the best lenders in the business might be. You want to find a lender with a reputation for integrity, honesty, and professionalism as well as capability. Compare Merchant Accounts for services. A merchant account’s greatest advantage, at least as claimed by some experts, is the ability for a company owner to accept credit card payments. You need to find out which credit card payment method is best for your company. For example, do you plan to accept credit payments at your company’s location? Or will you or another employee take a wireless unit on the road for point-of-sale transactions at residential or business locations? Perhaps you are thinking about establishing a Website presence to attract customers from every location in the world. Find out what your preferred lender will support, along with possible fees for maintenance and service agreements. Compare Merchant Accounts for costs. Some lenders may ask you to pay an online application fee. Others may want you to join and pay an annual membership rate. There can be print statement fees, gateway costs, and other expenses associated with your merchant account. In addition, you will have to pay for the actual service that may be calculated on a per-transaction basis costing perhaps a few cents per payment or a low monthly overall interest rate that may or may not impose certain minimums. Read the fine print, ask lots of questions, and be prepared to do your homework before signing the contract. A merchant account may be the single most important decision you will need to make on your company’s behalf. Compare Merchant Accounts for service. Even in the application stage, does the company provide easy access to personnel who can answer questions or help you understand the process? Are the company associates courteous and knowledgeable? Can you follow their directions? If you experience a problem, is the company prompt in responding to issues and resolving complaints? If a problem arises with the processing services, will the lender work with you to reinstate service as quickly as possible? Considerations like these can help you competently Compare Merchant Accounts! Shane is the owner of <a href="http://www.merchant-account-quotes.com" target="_blank">http://www.merchant-account-quotes.com</a> A site where you can shop and compare multiple quotes from national leading merchant account providers. <a href="http://www.merchant-account-quotes.com" target="_blank">http://www.merchant-account-quotes.com</a>
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Auction: Automate your Auction with Auction Software
If you list a few items “here and there” at online auctions, it only takes a few minutes to get your items up for sell. However, if you build an online auction business with hundreds of items for sale, you’ll run out of time and energy fast. That’s why automation is so important. Even if you find the perfect one stop online auction shop where you can sell all your items in one place, automation will still be necessary to keep the business going - and keep your sanity! Here are some great ways to automate your auction tasks. Automate with Auction Software There are software programs that are specially made for auctions. These programs will store all your listings in a database along with titles, descriptions, photos, pricing and shipping details. Some programs have a feature where you can save templates for certain categories. For example, if you sell household products, you might use the same template for all household items. Then, you might use a completely different template for your wholesale products. Therefore, you can save each template and have them available when you need them. How it Works A great benefit of using auction software is you can list more items in less amount of time. Here’s how it works: a) Type in your listings and accompanying details. b) Upload photos or banners for your listings. c) Submit the items to the auction site for listing. It’s that simple. Without this software, you will likely have to submit each item by hand through an online form with several screens.This could take several minutes or longer per listing. To get this software, check with your one stop online auction shop first. They might offer the software as a free tool. Use the search engines to search for “auction software” or “auction listing automation.” Automate Emails Once items have been sold, you should have some email templates ready to go for “thank you” messages, up-sell messages, etc. Create several “thank you” emails for the types of products you offer, each being customized for those customers. Also, create several “special offer” emails to send buyers throughout the year. Some one stop online auction shops provide automated email systems for you. It’s free and simple to set up a system like this, and the rewards are tremendous! Automate the Shipping Process Keep shipping supplies on-hand at all times. Prepare envelopes, boxes or bags ahead of time with labels, packaging materials, etc. Develop a system that you will use every time you receive an order so you won’t get disorganized. Take advantage of shipping “tools” supplied by your one stop online auction shop or payment processing company.Some auction sites or payment processors will provide packing slips for every order with the customer’s purchase details already printed for you. Automate Listing and Ending Times Schedule your items to end around the same time so you can easily manage them once the auctions end. If you schedule auctions to end on weekends, you can concentrate on shipping the items at the beginning of the week. Those who run auctions weekly usually go through a cycle of listing, ending and shipping around the same times every week. Saving Time and Money Automation will help you save time and money. You can list and manage more items through automation. Also, you’ll have a better chance at getting repeat business by sending regular mailings or e-mails to buyers. The more money you can save the better bargains your customers will receive.<a href="http://www.auction-words.com">www.auction-words.com</a> <a href="http://www.auction-entrepreneur-kit.com">www.auction-entrepreneur-kit.com</a>
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