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Mobile Commerce
Wireless Payment Processing Guide

m-commerce - The Basics

Mobile Commerce (m-commerce) isn't a new way of processing credit and debit cards. The acceptance method has been around for a few years, but is just really starting to make a large impact on how we do business away from our offices.

m-commerce first started with the use of wireless POS (Point Of Sale) swipe terminals and has since then made its way into cellular phones and PDA's (Personal Digital Assistants). Wireless POS swipe terminals are much more expensive (usually around $399 and up) then regular "wired" terminals which require you to be nearby a phone jack and electrical outlet in order to operate. As a result, this has caused many people to find alternative ways to process transactions while their "on the road" -- at least until now.

Cellular phones and PDA's have largely grown in popularity and as a result manufacturers have made significant improvements and added features to attract even more consumers and meet current owners demands. One of those features is wireless transaction processing. Imagine being able to process credit card and debit card transactions wirelessly within seconds at tradeshows, business seminars, house calls, etc.

Wireless Processing Benefits

Before m-commerce solutions became available collecting funds for orders done "on the road" required people to either pay by cash, check or write down their credit card information so you could process the transaction later back at your office. The fact is, cash and checks can get lost and credit card information, if not put in a secure place, can get into the wrong hands between the time the information was taken down and the customers card was charged. m-commerce solutions have taken a lot of the hassles out of doing business "on the run."

• Improved cash flow

• Secure credit and debit card authorizations within a matter of seconds

• Reduced instances of credit card fraud and chargebacks

• Ability to conduct business where phone line connections don't exist

m-commerce Resources

2 . Or simply attach a card reader to your existing PDA cell phone for real-time processing ($135). If you want swipe processing capability but only want to use your existing cellphone find out how you can easily integrate a Bluetooth swipe reader with your PDA cellphone.  This option is good for merchants that need swipe processing for faster processing but that do not want to use a dedicated wireless terminal.
3.  Virtual Terminal or Software - If you have a laptop (notebook) computer that's able to connect to the Internet while you're mobile (on-site, at a hotel, etc.) then you can process credit card orders securely over any Internet web browser. Since you cannot swipe the clients credit card the processing fees are slightly higher, however you don't incur the high costs of purchasing a wireless swipe terminal which ranges approx. $399+. If interested, contact any Merchant Service Provider for details and pricing. Virtual Terminal is almost always coupled with the purchase of a Real-Time Internet processing solution. If you already have a Real-Time solution check with your Merchant Account Provider on how to process orders via your Virtual web-based terminal. The Virtual Terminal solution is nice since there's no software to install and no long-term leases to be bound to.  Typical price ranges from around $29 and up, however there may be no additional cost if purchased along with a real-time processing solution.  For information on a Virtual Terminal Solution Click here
4 . Wireless, portable POS swipe terminal ($399 and up). If you'd rather just invest money in a wireless POS swipe terminal you can inquire with any Merchant Account Provider and they can meet your wireless terminal needs. There are wireless swipe terminals available that have embedded printers and those that don't. In general, you can expect to pay a lot for these terminals, and even more for those that have their own printer embedded within the unit itself.

Mobile Commerce Questions?

Do you have questions on mobile commerce, processing or terminals?  If so feel free to post a question on our MerchantSeek.com Merchant Account Forum:

• MerchantSeek Merchant Account Forum (Wireless Processing Questions)

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