Processing a sale for a merchant with a credit card has never been easier when it comes to using a mobile phone.  With today’s technology it is perfect for a professional working in the field.  You can process transactions on the go.  You are no longer held back by the connected internet and having to have a stationary location.  Making your business as mobile and wireless as you are allows you the freedom to go anywhere.

One of the advantages is you would be able to take it on the road with you and even be able to take it with you while you went on vacation.  You would be handle things instantly on the spot and move on.  Transactions take a matter of minutes.  So, not only do you save time but you are not tied down.

Think about the opportunities that will be available to you and how you will be able to take advantage of an existing computer, a landline meaning a phone that actually plugs in, or any mobile telephone even a wireless handheld device.  There is no down side to either option.  The lines are secure and you are still able to provide the customer safety and protection on his credit card data allowing a secure payment solution.

There are several businesses available that you would be able to sign up with that would be able to provide these services to you and your business.  So, have the ability to process orders on the spot, increase your sales and profits, other business’s have that tried it.  There is customer service available to you 24/7, 365 days a year when you have this service and it allows you to grow your business without tying you down.  That’s about it, it makes sense and it also takes advantage of the last minute impulse buyer or the add-on sale to complete a customer’s purchase.

Wireless credit card processing is great if you do business at trade shows or at someone’s home or are on someone else’s premises.  It allows you to offer customers additional payment options.  It provides you a payment at the point of sale too.  By using one of the web-enabled wireless terminals it allows you to process credit or debit card payments in real time from anywhere you can use your cell phone.  You are able to process payments more quickly and with less of an error rate or missed payments.  It is definitely worth checking out the options available to you.

For more information on how to obtain a mobile merchant account or wireless merchant account please vist http://www.stradafee.com!

Don’t you love going into the malls around the holiday and seeing the different kiosks that are available for you to purchase that special gift for someone?  This is when there are usually a variety of them around and in the summer too.  They may be selling you the seaweed facial wraps or cups to put your child’s picture on or even that picture that you just took in the photo booth as a souvenir.  The one question remains and that is how will they process your sale 

It is through a wireless merchant account that many kiosks are able to conduct their business.  Of course, there are some that call back to their physical store and have a person physically type it through the internet system they use but for the most part at the malls they use wireless credit card processing.

There are a few companies that you would be able to rent equipment from or purchase equipment from and purchases their services for a monthly fee.  Let’s look at a few of them.  There are the traditional wireless terminals, the apps for your iPhone and the Android-powered phone.  Most come with no setup charges and no monthly minimums which is something to take into consideration when you are looking for a company to use.  Another consideration is their customer service, when you want help you want someone there to provide it to you. 

A traditional wireless credit card terminal is great if you do trade shows or work outside and need something to process credit card and debit card sales and you can use your cell phone.  The iPhone is a mobile, virtual credit card terminal which runs right on your iPhone.  You do not need any additional hardware and you simply take the customers information and charge the credit card.  The mall kiosks would be able to get instant authorizations on all their sales.  

The last one we will mention is the Android and it is a terminal that runs on any Android-powered phone.  Once again this does not need special hardware and you can just enter the customer’s credit or debit card information and an instant authorization is available for the person at the mall kiosks.

 Now, that was pretty easy if you think about how they are able to conduct business when taking conducting credit card processing at one of the mall kiosks.  Times have changed huh?  In a good way though.

 For more information on wireless merchant accounts for your mobile credit card processing needs, please visit http://www.stradafee.com/wireless-merchant-account!

The most important reason that Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards are in place is so that the customers and the businesses will not be open to identity theft and to discourage computer “hackers” from breaking into your business or entering into your bank accounts.  A hacker is someone who performs a network intrusion which is an unauthorized access to a computer network environment or payment system, to illegally obtain cardholder data.

Here is another definition – “data compromise and that is it is a deliberate attack on the communications or information processing systems exposing cardholder account information to third parties, and placing cardholders at risk of fraudulent use.  This attack can be initiated by a disgruntled employee, a malicious competitor, or a misguided hacker.  Attacks often result in damage or disruption to the entire payment system.  Protect your cardholder customers as best you can as you would want to be protected if you were your own customer. 

It is a requirement that merchants protect credit card processing data.  Companies are using common practices that have adopted common industry security requirements referred to as Payment Card Industry (PCI).  One of the ways that this is being accomplished is by going into partnerships with various security companies that can provide the data security and the mandatory industry requirements around the protection of data through the payment transaction process.

There are twelve requirements that need to be met and they range anywhere from installing a firewall to your mainframe network, encrypting all transmissions of cardholder data across open public networks, updating antivirus software, assigning unique IDs, maintaining an Information Security Policy, and regularly testing security systems and processes.

The PCI Security Council is an independent body responsible for the development and ongoing evolution of security standards for account data protection has developed the “Priority Approach”, which provides guidance for non-compliant merchants striving to achieve compliance.   This is a pretty powerful statement and a useful statement letting you as a merchant know that there is help available to get you where you need to be with your business.  This is in place for the protection of your customers.

Depending on the size and number of transactions your business processes each year will depend on the requirement or assessment you will be responsible for whether it is a quarterly scan or an onsite assessment.  Virus scanning is important and beneficial because you want to have your environment sealed off to individuals trying to break through your network.  The quicker you are able to catch someone the quicker you are able to shut them off.  Your goal is to safeguard your customer’s cardholder data, when you perform the scans continuously you are also following the requirements for ongoing Payment Card Industry compliance.

To learn more on on becoming PCI compliant for your online merchant account check out http://www.stradafee.com!  Make your credit card processing safe and secure for your clients.

PCI (payment card industry) compliance will be mandatory, and the deadline for all merchants and processors to be PCI compliant is July 1, 2010.  PCI compliance is required if you are receiving, storing or processing the Primary Account Number (PAN) or the main credit card number of the customer, which is usually no longer than 19 and no less than 16 digits in length.  In addition, a merchant or acquirer must remember that if a PAN is being stored or processed, the other information such as CVV/CVC and card holder information must be protected as well.

A common misconception is that PCI Compliance is a law, it is not a law yet.  It is a security standard set by the five major credit card companies Visa, MC, Amex, Discover and JCB.  The official name for the group is the PCI Security Standards Council.  Prior to the councils formation, each credit card company had its own set of security standards, now with the unity of the five credit card companies forming PCI SSC there is one set of security standards instead of five.     

There are 4 different merchant levels along with requirements for PCI DSS Compliance:

Level 1 – a merchant that transacts over 6,000,000 per year.  The merchant will be required to bring an assessor on-site called a QSA to evaluate the security and create an in-depth report on compliance.  Quarterly PCI Scans will also be mandatory.

Level 2 – a merchant that transacts between 1,000,000 – 6,000,000 per year.  Instead of a full report on compliance, the PCI Council will allow Level 2 merchants to complete a PCI Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ).  Quarterly PCI Scans are mandatory.  Level 2 merchants will also need to complete a one page document that states that they don’t store certain card data information on file.

Level 3 – a merchant that transacts between 20,000 – 1,000,000 per year.  In place of a full report on compliance, the PCI Council will allow Level 3 merchants to complete a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ).  Quarterly PCI Scans are also required.

Level 4 – a merchant that does between 1 and 20,000 transactions a year.  Instead of a full Report On Compliance, the PCI Council will allow Level 4 merchants to complete a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ).  Quarterly PCI Scans are mandatory.

If you are a merchant that does not understand what PCI compliance means to you, check with your merchant service provider or website programmer so they can guide you through what you will need to do to become PCI compliant before July 1^st.

Like any business, online commerce has its own obstacles. Though they may present themselves differently than a brick and mortar establishment, many of these challenges are rooted in the same fundamental issues of trust, communication, and convenience. Creating a profitable eCommerce business with a positive reputation depends on your ability to navigate these challenges and provide customers with the best online shopping experience available.

The first thing to realize as an online business owner is that the vast majority of visitors to your site will not trust what they see. Customers are unimpressed with stylish layouts and amazing graphics when it comes down actually spending money. Most people want to see legitimacy. This can be displayed in many ways. Start by including a physical address and phone number, along with several contact emails and company bios. These things can go a long way in establishing legitimacy, but don’t stop there. Partnering up with other valued websites and becoming a member of organizations such as the Better Business Bureau are other proven ways to build trust. Beyond that, you must be good at answering the phones and responding quickly to customer inquiries. Some customers will even call just to see how quickly you respond, looking for comfort in the fact that your business is active and on top of things.

Product presentation is the second most important obstacle to overcome in online business. Unlike in a real world store, customers cannot touch and feel the product under consideration, and for this reason, the level of product showcasing must be very high. Provide several image views, elaborate descriptions, customer reviews, as well as links for other information. Most successful ecommerce sites provide at least five pictures of each product. Descriptions should be unique to your business and as clear as possible. If you or your team is not comfortable writing attractive product descriptions, hiring a writer is well worth the expense.

The last major issue in online business is security. The security of your website determines a customer’s willingness to enter their personal payment information. Part of establishing trust in your security is in having an online merchant account. A credit card merchant account will allow you to accept card payments while keeping shoppers within your website. Moving from your site to a third party processor’s site can be quite unsettling for potential buyers and can also cause a host of other problems. Once a merchant account is in place, making sure your site has adequate encryption will also reassure your customers in the level of informational security employed by your business.

The challenges of online sales are easily overcome with the investment of some time and thought. Without tackling these obstacles, the probability of sales will be very low. Of course, it doesn’t stop there. There are an infinite number of improvements you should continue to make as your business grows and develops. These major obstacles are merely the roadblocks that have a tendency to shut businesses down before they even get started.

Merchant accounts make it possible for businesses to provide online credit card processing. For more information on credit card processing visit www.stradafee.com.

Approximately 85% of online shoppers are concerned with their security, as well they should be. Credit card fraud and identity theft is at an all time high following the explosion credit card transactions made through the Internet. This is why it is extremely important for online retailers and businesses to gain the trust of customers, helping them to believe in the security of your eCommerce system. According to recent research by TNS, 65% of purchases are lost when the customer reaches the check-out area. This is largely due to doubt in the security of the credit card form, which can be avoided by making sure your website displays proper security measures.

Many eCommerce savvy shoppers have learned to look for certain signs of security before entering their credit card information. Some of the most typical security signs are “https” and the padlock graphic found in the URL of the website. The padlock graphic is a VeriSign Secured Seal, one of many companies providing secure transaction online. Almost four out of five Americans recognize the VeriSign Secured Seal, making it an extremely effective security mark. Newer browsers make it possible for authenticated certificates to be detected, displaying the address bar in green. However, most people do not have this feature to help them along and are looking for other signs.

Most reputable companies providing online transaction security utilize SSL technology. SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, is a military grade encryption that protects customer credit card information as it is transferred on the Internet. This type of information encryption authenticates identity information in association with the credit card data by an authority, verifying the identity of the owner of that certificate. Thought SSL is not a required element for shopping cart security, it certainly shows your commitment to the level of security customers will experience.

The use of these online security measures not only provides protection, it also helps to demonstrate the authenticity of your business. Some customers may still be wary to enter their credit card information online, but the demonstration of such security measure may help them in deciding to make a transaction over the phone, or perhaps contact you for further information. Online retailers see an increase in sales on an average of ten percent after installing some form of security system on the payment pages of their website. This should be a sign to retailers that customers are really looking for ways to make sure their credit card information is safe. Earn the trust of online shoppers by providing the professional security people want.

Merchant accounts make it possible for businesses to provide credit card processing for card present and card-not-present transactions. For more information on credit card processing visit http://www.stradafee.com

Before a merchant or acquirer ponders PCI compliance, it is important to understand which entities PCI compliance applies to. While it is very likely that for each merchant or acquirer, PCI compliance will be mandatory, it is important to remember that it is only required if you are receiving, storing or processing the Primary Account Number (PAN) or the main credit card number of the customer, which is usually no longer than 19 and no less than 16 digits in length.  In addition, a merchant or acquirer must remember that if a PAN is being stored or processed, the other information such as CVV/CVC and card holder information must be protected as well.

For a merchant to become PCI compliant, the merchant has to assess the merchant level relevant for the PCI guidelines, as each different merchant level will have different requirements. In addition, both VISA and MasterCard have certain PCI guidelines in addition to the PCI DSS standard, which need to be adhered to. Discover and American Express follow the PCI DSS standard in addition to a ‘good practices’ handbook, while there are no specific additional requirements. However, in general, the process will begin with the merchant or service provider assessing the validation level, as each different level will involve different audit, questionnaire and network scan requirements.

It would seem obvious that Level 1 merchants occupy the bulge bracket of hacker activity, but it’s actually Level 4, since there merchants tend to be smaller and occupy around 99% of the total market share of credit card transactions, as per estimates by VISA. These merchants tend to be more prone to hacker attacks primarily because they are small and usually do not possess the high end technical infrastructure as mandated by the PCI DSS. To that end, VISA requires that all Level 4 merchants submit a PCI compliance plan. In addition, the level 4 merchant must ensure that in case they are using a point of sale terminal, the terminal must be compatible with PABP and PIN requirements.

Validation levels apply to service providers as well. Service provider levels are categorized differently by MasterCard and Visa, though the emphasis in both cases is on the volume of transactions. For instance, for a Level 2 service provider, VISA prescribes the number of transactions transmitted as more than 100,000 annually, PLUS those who are not in Level 1. MasterCard simply prescribes that Service Providers who transmit on behalf of Level 1 merchants are Level 1 service providers.

The merchant or service provider must build an infrastructure in terms of firewalls, access control systems and data encryption that comply with the PCI DSS. The 1.1 standard issues the following directives for merchants to ensure that they are in compliance with the PCI standards<!–[if !supportFootnotes]–>[1]<!–[endif]–>:

1. Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data.
2. Do not use vendor supplied defaults of system passwords and other security parameters
3. Protect stored cardholder data
4. Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks.
5. Use and regularly update anti-virus software or programs
6. Develop and maintain secure systems and applications
7. Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know.
8. Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
9. Restrict physical access to cardholder data
10. Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
11. Regularly test security systems and processes
12. Maintain a policy that addresses information security for employees and contractors.

Once the technical infrastructure is in place, the merchant or service provider must locate an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV), who will conduct a network scan to ensure that the safety requirements highlighted above are actually functional and not just placeholders in the self-assessment questionnaire required for Level 2, 3 and 4 merchants and service providers. The purpose of the scan is to locate vulnerabilities in the system that can lead to data breaches and diagnose & recommend measures to fix these problems. The ASV submits a report to the PCI highlighting the potential security holes and the level of vulnerability from 1-5 (but this time, a Level 5 is the highest point of vulnerability). In case of a level 1 merchant, an on site assessment is also mandated by the PCI, to be conducted by a Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs).

Finally, a self-assessment questionnaire on a prescribed format needs to be submitted to the acquiring bank by the processor &/or merchant service provider, which acts as a checklist to ensure that the 12 requirements outlined above have been addressed and met. Some experts believe that PCI compliance has less to do with network and information security, than it has to do with compliance. For one thing, a merchant only needs to be 100% compliant at the time of the review- this loophole can make a merchant lax throughout the year, and only fix up the security holes during the time of the review or audit. That won’t solve any security crises, only make them worse.

<!–[if !supportFootnotes]–>

For more information on how to become PCI Compliant please vist http://www.stradafee.com!

First there was the internet, then ebay, then google; now Myspace is quickly becoming a gateway for many internet users simply as a navigation tool. Essentially, this type of generic purposeful use of a specific URL is the epitome of what businesses and website designers strive for as it brings together a large variety of people that probably wouldn’t have otherwise met. As we all know what Myspace is; the importance of Myspace as a networking tool is that the user controls their level of interaction, accessibility and level of contact with other users from very broad to very specific.

Myspace like a few other popular meeting and self promotional web venues started with the younger generation in mind as a way for youth to associate and identify themselves with others like them and those they like. As many sites develop, the profiles of their users change as well. Today, Myspace has effectively bridged the generation gap and proved itself to be a useful tool for families, friends and classmates to keep in contact with each other as well as communicate events and other news in their lives. The future of the website and others like it is for businesses to host their own promotional webpages for their customers to visit and as a way to attract new clientele. Like advertisers have purchased ad space on websites for years in an attempt to attract specific demographics, self advertising on Myspace and its competitors may prove to be networking goldmine with the result being, creating new customers for merchants through continuous education and communication by the business and perspective clientele. There are as many possibilities as virtual commerce has no boundaries; however time and participatory levels will eventually determine how fast and far these types of networks will succeed.

Examples of networking through Myspace or other like sites may be as simple as a small business owner hosting a page that lets its customers communicate with one another about their products, or a cheap but effective way to keep clients aware of company news and direction or even an upcoming sale. More complex pages may assist merchants actually perform transactions by posting pricing and availability of products or services and the customer actually being able to make a purchase in real time through payment portals set up on the page for payment by credit card or check. As simple as it sounds many small business owners either turn to their own website construction or may want to keep or set up a Myspace page for more simple interactions. Those that may choose to set up interactive pages may find a hurdle to overcome in setting up a portal for their credit card processing. While it’s not difficult to actually find a bank that will set you up with credit card processing capabilities, the challenge is in the shopping. Nearly all online credit card transactions are considered to be high risk by banks and processors, so the concern is that high rates and excessive fees may turn the lure of a low budget ecommerce venture into an expensive headache. This type of business development is very much on the radar merchant service providers. Merchant service brokers or providers foster relationships with numerous banks and processors, giving them options for their clients when it comes to the right fit for them and their business.

As networking through and setting up business contacts through Myspace type sites is geared toward new and budding businesses, consulting with a merchant service provider may be educational and ultimately beneficial for you.

For more information on credit card processing and check processing please visit http://www.stradafee.com.

As the price of fuel continues to rise, just about everything in our lives are affected. The price of the food we eat is as high as ever, services we use every day are more expensive to the point that we find ways to do without them and eventually turn ourselves off to certain industries all together. As we all know, some industries are more of a necessity than a luxury; some of these businesses are not feeling the pinch as much, but are definitely seeing a slow go of things these days. The building trades feel the brunt of the “Big money” cut backs as regional and national economies pinch pennies I hopes that unspent development dollars will lead to surpluses, which may lead to less tax hike for the next year. While the theory seems to be sound, the long term effects will be felt by tax payers and their families for years to come. One industry that spans the construction, planning and development industries is the concrete business. Concrete is used in nearly every building project; it’s literally the foundation that all projects are built on. More than an optional building product, concrete is a staple that cannot be avoided; that is unless you want to see a sea of one story, new construction buildings for the rest of your natural lives?

The increase in fuel prices affects the pricing of concrete more than many raw products, as it’s a product in itself of many other industries whose existence supports the concrete industry. As concrete is made of stone, the production of concrete graded sand and stone that meets a particular specification relies on the fuel pricing to remain at a level low enough to let those businesses control their costs, while not passing them onto their customers as much as possible. Unfortunately for the aggregate industry, fuel pricing has forced them to either raise prices or go out of business. After the hits that the concrete business has taken and prices have been raised, the construction industry has beared just about as much as they can afford, in terms of cost increases; now the money is coming directly out of the profit that the plants take. In terms of cost saving measures, monitoring their credit card processing fees and rates has become a popular way of keeping them in the black. As a lot of concrete purchases are over the phone, many banks impose higher rates to plants because the chance of fraud and theft are higher, due to these “Card not present transactions.” Many merchant service providers specialize in obtaining merchant accounts for these types of businesses through processors and banks that offer low rates and reduced fees. If you’re in the concrete or aggregate business and are looking to better your processing capabilities, contact a merchant service provider today.

For more information on credit card processing and check processing please visit http://www.stradafee.com.

Skateboarding is not an afterthought. For the last few years boarding has lost its skates in the public eye. Skateboarding is not a dead art; in fact it’s more popular than ever. Skaters have new things to do as well. Since surfers that needed something to do when the waves weren’t breaking or the weather was bad turned to “concrete surfing”, the basics of balance, skill and committing to a risk in a moment have been and hopefully will be the ethos that boarding enthusiasts will continue to live by. Today, as many skaters surf, so many snowboard and wake board as well. Its natural progression and the future will bring out crazier and more extremes of board sports for the new breed of athletes who are looking for more than a stick and ball experience. When I was growing up, if you didn’t want to be on the team, whether it was softball, soccer or whatever sport kids and young adults were taking part in at the time, you turned to an individualistic sport. As options were limited, tennis, track and skiing made up the short list. In a nation that has bread teamwork and forced social skill sets, the paradigm has changed and changed in a way that has created different values, goals and interactions for our kids while they grow up. Skateboarding and alternative sports may in fact be a metaphor for the new generation of a progressive society. Participation in individual sports is not for everyone; as there is no set practice to be late for, you really need to get out there and practice and be involved. From there, advancing your skills is mainly up to you and for that reason, the learning curve is what you make of it. Skateboarders and other one-participant sports love that aspect of these activities which leaves them in charge of their own future. Studies have shown that kids growing up without team related activities, who take part in sports like skateboarding, surfing and motocross were more likely to lead and less likely to succumb to peer pressures.

Like all sports, gear is essential and to think that a skateboard is a piece of wood with some wheels on it is just going to piss off skateboarders. If you’re a skateboarder, you know what I mean. As with all industries, skateboard manufacturers spend lots of time and money researching and developing new ways to make boards, trucks and wheels more durable, lighter and less expensive, in an attempt to increase their performance and help riders further the sport. Skateboard shops are not such fringe retailers anymore. Today the sale of boards and accessories still makes up a good portion of their revenues; however, many are expanding their product lines to include other extreme sports that are loosely linked to the skate scene. It’s not uncommon to see snowboards, bmx bikes and wakeboard equipment next to decks and trucks when you walk into your local shop anymore. Merchants see the trends and are preparing themselves for the next new rage. Remember, you used to buy your skateboards in a surf shop. Skateboarding is not going anywhere; however skateboarding is a sensation activity and skaters will look outside skating for a new rush. Consequently, skaters who haven’t picked it up as quickly or get sick of skating will try the next like sport quickly, and repeat until they find one that works for their lifestyle and natural ability. Shop owners need to be ready for everything. Their shops operate mainly on a walk-in basis; however, many operate websites to serve customers worldwide. A merchant account is a necessary evil, or is it. The terms that banks offer merchants is often an unreasonable proposition that they deal with but don’t have to. Merchant service providers can help small shop owners like skate shops and the like to better their situation. Getting good discount rates on credit card processing is available if you look for it. A good place to start is online. Look up merchant service provider if you’re interested.

For more information on credit card processing and check processing please visit http://www.stradafee.com.