ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS - PROCESSOR

Accepting Credit Cards
Typical Credit Card Transaction
Merchant Account
Processor Company
Setting Up Your Web Site
Payments via Third Party Processors
Payments via PayPal

The Credit Card Processor is a company that accesses the Visa/Mastercard/Amex/etc. network and "links" this network to your merchant account.

The processor is a separate company, different from your merchant account provider. Your merchant account provider will usually recommend a processor company, but regardless of whether you choose to go with the processor they recommend, merchant account providers should be able to work with any processor.

Services of processors vary greatly in terms of fees and levels of service. If you decide to go with the processor company recommended by your bank, the fee is likely to be rolled into your merchant account monthly charge.