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Credit Card Processing on the Internet
By: Jay Stockman, Sun Dec 11th, 2005
So you have finally finished your e-commerce web site, hired the
best web publisher, added all the bells and whistles,
outstanding graphics, and great merchandise. Now, how does your
prospective customer pay you for your products? Clearly, it is
necessary for your site to accept, and process credit card
payments, in real time. Failure to do so, would result in a
failing enterprise.
Before you can begin the application process, there are several
standards that all credit card processors have set. Follow this
checklist and you will save yourself a significant amount of
time, and aggravation.
1) The checkout, and transaction pages must be secure. This
protects the customer from credit card, or identity fraud, which
has become epidemic. You achieve this "security" by installing a
secure socket layer certificate, or SSL. SSL encrypts
information being entered on your site as it is sent across the
Internet, so hackers are unable to steal the transmitted
information. This Certificate has become very common, and any
web host would be able to assist you.
2) A robust Shopping Cart software that utilizes the highest
degree of security, and is compatible with the credit card
processor. This program must be able to receive, and process
orders. Collect personal data, and securely transmit the credit
card data from software to the credit card processor. Most
importantly, the software should provide the building blocks for
a complete, successful customer experience.
3) Your server must have a firewall, especially if you plan on
storing the credit card information on your server. Basically, a
firewall is a combination of software, and hardware, that
inspects incoming data, and filters unwanted, or potentially
destructive packets of information. This firewall will not allow
hackers to enter your server, and steal sensitive information.
When all these conditions have been met, you are ready to
contact your bank to open a credit card merchant's account. Once
your account is opened, your bank will suggest a credit card
Gateway. A credit card Gateway receives the customer's credit
card information from your web site, approves or declines the
charge, and ultimately transmits money to your bank.
Although the process appears to be very complicated, it is quite
straightforward when you know what you are doing. Plan ahead,
avoid frustration, and provide your customers with an easy,
secure experience that will make them come back for more.
About the author:
Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor of Internet Credit Card
Processing Resource.
For more details on Internet merchant accounts and Credit Card
processors go to: http://myinternet-credit-card-processing.com/
