Questions About Merchant Account / Payment Gateway - Small-Business-Forum.net

KingHippo · 09-29-2008, 10:54 AM

I'm a bit confused when it comes to processing online orders. I know that for sure, I will be using Visual Studio 2008 / .NET Framework 2.0 at a minimum for my company website. I am now trying to figure out which merchant account provider to sign up with. I am also a bit confused as to what the difference between merchant account and payment gateway is.

I thought that when I signed up for a business checking account, that I would be able to use a company like Paymentech's API with .NET to accept credit card payments and send money into that account. But now it sounds like a merchant account is actually yet another business bank account. Help!!!

KristineS · 09-29-2008, 09:46 PM

I know we use PayPal Website Payments Pro for our online transactions. We also, so far as I know, have a Merchant Gateway through our bank, but our accountants set that up, so I don't know much about it.

These sites might be of some assistance in helping you understand the process:

Online Payments - a guide for e-commerce software and online store users - shopfitter
http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/

vangogh · 09-30-2008, 02:59 AM

For some quick reading here are Wikipedia entries for:

Merchant Account
Payment Gateway

What you're basically going to be doing is signing up with a merchant account. The merchant will accept credit card transaction on your behalf for a fee on each transaction. They'll likely have some way for you to connect with them online. They'll provide some or all of the code you'll need. A lot of shopping carts have already done the programming though so all you end up needing to do is add authorization to the software and you're set.

When you're looking into merchants you can ask them about how to connect with them online. They should have code and instructions for you to use.

09-29-2008, 10:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
KingHippo Member Wearing Out Keyboard Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 57 Reputation: 10	Questions About Merchant Account / Payment Gateway I'm a bit confused when it comes to processing online orders. I know that for sure, I will be using Visual Studio 2008 / .NET Framework 2.0 at a minimum for my company website. I am now trying to figure out which merchant account provider to sign up with. I am also a bit confused as to what the difference between merchant account and payment gateway is. I thought that when I signed up for a business checking account, that I would be able to use a company like Paymentech's API with .NET to accept credit card payments and send money into that account. But now it sounds like a merchant account is actually yet another business bank account. Help!!!

09-29-2008, 09:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
KristineS Queen of the Forum Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Traverse City, MI Posts: 1,291 Reputation: 22	I know we use PayPal Website Payments Pro for our online transactions. We also, so far as I know, have a Merchant Gateway through our bank, but our accountants set that up, so I don't know much about it. These sites might be of some assistance in helping you understand the process: Online Payments - a guide for e-commerce software and online store users - shopfitter http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/ __________________ Settling for More\| When I'm Thin\|A Frugal Housewife\| Outoor Bloggers Summit Blog\|Hunt Smart, Think Safety Blog

09-30-2008, 02:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
vangogh Post Impressionist Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boulder, Colorado Posts: 2,139 Reputation: 32	For some quick reading here are Wikipedia entries for: Merchant Account Payment Gateway What you're basically going to be doing is signing up with a merchant account. The merchant will accept credit card transaction on your behalf for a fee on each transaction. They'll likely have some way for you to connect with them online. They'll provide some or all of the code you'll need. A lot of shopping carts have already done the programming though so all you end up needing to do is add authorization to the software and you're set. When you're looking into merchants you can ask them about how to connect with them online. They should have code and instructions for you to use. __________________ l Search Engine Friendly Web Design \| Van SEO Design l Tips On Marketing, SEO, Design, and Development \| TheVanBlog l Custom WordPress Themes