Hey, did you know?
The right payment processing solution is not always the one with the most features. It is the one that fits the way your business actually works.
As TMC celebrates 30 years of helping businesses accept payments, we have seen the industry change in big ways. Customers tap cards, swipe cards, dip cards, use watches, pay online, pay by invoice, and sometimes expect to pay before they ever walk through the door.
Technology has changed. Customer habits have changed. Security requirements have changed.
But one thing has stayed the same: business owners deserve clear guidance before choosing a payment solution.
That is where we come in.
At Total Merchant Concepts, our goal has never been to make payment processing more confusing. Our goal is to help you understand your options, ask better questions, and choose a setup that supports your business, your customers, and your goals.
Here are a few important things to consider before selecting the right way to get paid.
Start With Your Volume
How much you process each month matters.
A seasonal business or a business processing a lower monthly volume may need a different setup than a high volume business with steady daily transactions. Some lower volume options may look simple at first, but the percentage or fee structure may not make sense as the business grows.
Knowing your volume helps you compare the true cost of each option.
That is part of Superior Knowledge & Service. We help business owners look beyond the surface and understand what the numbers really mean.
Look At Your Transaction Size
Not every transaction is the same.
A coffee shop with small average tickets may process very differently than a business selling higher ticket items. Small purchases, larger purchases, rewards cards, debit cards, business cards, and online payments can all impact the way processing costs show up.
When you understand how your customers typically pay, you can choose a solution that makes more sense for your business.
Think About Your Business Type
Business to consumer payments and business to business payments are not always priced or handled the same way.
A retail shop, restaurant, contractor, nonprofit, professional office, online seller, and wholesale business may all need different tools. Some need fast checkout. Some need invoices. Some need mobile options. Some need Level II or Level III data. Some need a simple terminal. Some need a full Point Of Sale system.
The best solution starts with your business model.
Understand Card Present And Card Not Present
When a card is physically present and dipped, tapped, or swiped, the risk and cost can be different than when a card is keyed in, taken over the phone, stored on file, or processed online.
This is why it is important to think about where and how payments happen.
Do customers come to you? Do you go to them? Do you take orders online? Do you invoice after the work is done? Do you need recurring payments? Do your team members need to take payments in more than one location?
The answers matter.
Ask About Special Pricing Opportunities
Some businesses may qualify for special pricing categories or payment options based on their industry, card types, data fields, or transaction structure.
For example, some business to business payments may benefit from additional data being passed with the transaction. Nonprofits, community service organizations, and certain emerging markets may also have options worth exploring.
This is one of the reasons Integrity In All Things is so important to us. The right answer is not always obvious, and it is not always the same for every merchant. A good review can help uncover options a business owner may not know to ask about.
Choose Tools That Support Your Day
The right processing type is not only about rates. It is also about the way your team works.
You may need a month to month option, mobile device, countertop terminal, online payment option, Point Of Sale system, nonprofit program, or a solution that supports Level II or Level III processing.
The goal is not to choose more than you need. The goal is to choose what helps your business run better.
That is why our team takes time to learn about your business before recommending equipment or a payment setup.
Thirty Years Of Helping Businesses Get Clarity
After 30 years in the payment processing industry, we know this for sure: business owners do not need more confusion. They need education, support, and a partner who will help them make sense of the options.
That is why our S.M.I.L.E. values matter.
Superior Knowledge & Service helps you understand your choices.
Meaningful Relationships help us learn what your business truly needs.
Integrity In All Things keeps the focus on what is right for you.
Leaving A Legacy Of FUN reminds us that support can be helpful and friendly.
An Exceptional Educational Experience gives you confidence in your decisions.
If you need assistance determining the right processing option or device for your business, give our team a call at 888-249-9919.
It will be our pleasure to help steer you in the right direction.
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