Thursday 15 September 2011

Why a High Risk Merchant Account may be Needed for your Business

The average business can complete an application for a regular merchant account, but there are some businesses that cannot be approved. A business that cannot qualify for a standard account may find that a high risk merchant account is the right choice. Knowing the reasons why a business would want to apply for these merchant services takes an understanding of the benefits that are available.

Why Your Business May Want a High Risk Merchant Account

There are several reasons why these accounts may be helpful. The ease of credit card processing is a standard for many businesses and the money received is transferred quickly after a sale is made. Having a business that is classified as a high risk operation needs better approval rates. Trying to get approved for a standard account is hard to do and this is one of the main reasons that a company can benefit from applying for a high risk account. A business can sign up without hassle and receive an approval instantly.

Types of Businesses Needing a High Risk Merchant Account

A business can be classified as high risk due to several factors. Any company that has a high turnover rate of employees or that sells products or content that may be classified as high risk. A company that is in an industry where fraud is likely will typically be put into the category of high risk for Visa processing and Mastercard processing.

These are examples of businesses that are classified as high risk:

• Adult Entertainment Companies
• Cigarette Vendors Online
• Sales of Telecommunications Products
• Website Hosting and ISP Companies
• Telemarketing Businesses
• Male/Female Escort Companies
• Insurance Sales
• Detective and Research Services
• Collections
• Cell phone Sellers and Distributors 
• E-Cash Funding Services
• Software Companies Selling Downloads
• Check Cash and Payday Companies

There are many more companies that are considered riskier when applying for merchant services. This shortened list is used as a general guide for a merchant looking to make an application for a high risk merchant account to have an idea of what to expect in comparison of other companies.

Choosing a reliable and reputable company like this when applying for credit card processing is important. Using a company that has a track record of success and reliability will keep a merchant from losing money or having illegal activity performed with their account. Performing an in-depth search online will help a business owner when looking for a reliable processing company. Reading reviews posted by current merchants and asking questions to other colleagues will help provide excellent information about the best merchant services. Working with a trusted company for credit card processing allows a business to have reliable Visa processing and Mastercard processing services. When the right system is in place, businesses will operate smoothly and money from sales and services will be easy to collect.