Merchant Account Online Application
To get an Internet merchant account is very easy these days. What you need to get started is just a website. Everything you need is integrated into the application you will fill out and submit online. It takes not more than 10 minutes to fill out the online application. Be sure your browser works with SSL (most do) and that cookies are enabled. Ensure your online merchant application is secure and uses SSL encryption technology. Merchant accounts are activated 24 hours after approval.
While filling out the online application, you will be asked if you want to accept Amex and Discover. You simply select the appropriate check boxes. Because Amex and Discover accounts are set up outside of Visa/MasterCard, we will submit a separate application to those organizations in your behalf.
To complete the Online Application, you will submit information about your business as well as information on the business owner. The application is an industry standard credit card acceptance application (Tax ID – for US Corporations only, Social Security Number/Social Insurance Number and Checking Account and Routing numbers). You will receive a confirmation email within seconds after submitting your online application. The underwriting department confirms that the application is in compliance with Visa/MasterCard regulations. Once your application is approved, you will receive your start-up information, by email, the next day.
You will receive statement on a monthly basis. You are usually activated for Visa and MasterCard when you fill out the Online Application. We will set-up other card types for you when you mark that on your application. What you need is a U.S. checking account. As long as you have a U.S. checking account, you can still acquire a merchant account and sign up through Online Application.
The actual verification and processing of online credit card payments are done by the payment gateway. To get your payment gateway set-up (once your application is completed), you will be assigned a Gateway ID. So, enjoy processing your orders in real-time!