How to Pick a Merchant Service Provider for Your Brand

Wednesday, January 5th, 2022

Finding the best merchant services takes a lot of consideration. Ultimately, it boils down to whatever elements are most important to your business:

Is it user-friendly?

Are you or your staff capable of navigating a more complicated interface, or will you require a simple-to-use software or system?

How much does it cost?

Pricing is an important consideration. It’s not simply about the software prices on a month-to-month basis. You should also consider upfront hardware expenses and any potential early cancellation penalties if you switch to another service provider. 

Is it scalable?

Go with a service provider that allows you to scale up. Depending on your company’s size and funding, you should start at the bottom and work your way up as your workforce and client base expands. 

It may be difficult to make a sudden shift when your staff have been accustomed to one system. This is especially true if the system is unable to keep up with your firm’s growth. 

Hardware.

Some small companies may be able to use smartphones as POS systems; however, larger firms may need to invest in more sophisticated tech. You may be able to lease equipment and avoid paying large upfront fees depending on the merchant service provider.

Other Vital Considerations

Beyond, the above, here are more important factors to look into:

Transparency in the fee structure. You should be able to clearly grasp how much you will spend, whether upfront or on a monthly basis. This includes any additional charges. 

Invoicing. The system should retain transaction data between merchants and consumers, and the data tracked as part of internal audits. 

Contact-free payments. As more customers choose this safer payment method, it’s critical to have it available. 

Deposits happen quickly and on the same day. Many businesses hate waiting days or even weeks for funding, therefore quick deposits are a must-have. 

There is a live chat option available. It’s critical to get in touch with someone as soon as possible if there’s a problem. Customers prefer live conversations over artificial intelligence chatbots. 

Popularity and reviews. When choosing a service, consider the opinions of trustworthy reviewers and user comments. 

Features that stand out. Service providers with remarkable characteristics are better than those who don’t go the extra mile.

The Bottom Line

Before subscribing to a merchant account provider, think about these factors as well as the system’s capabilities. You should definitely consider a service that will supply you with the greatest tools for your budget.