Accept Credit Cards with Laptop Processing
If you’ve been looking to accept credit cards away from the office but have concerns about the costs involved with conventional wireless equipment, then consider using your laptop computer.
All you need is a laptop, Internet access and a USB card reader to create an inexpensive wireless processing solution. It’s best to have a wireless access card from a carrier such at AT&T, Sprint or Verizon as you’ll always know you have internet access but with so wireless hotspots available these days, there’s a good chance you can get by without one.
Most merchant service providers sell debit and credit card desktop software applications that will allow you to process Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, JCB and Diners Club cards for merchants located in the U.S. In addition to replacing all of the functionality of traditional credit card terminal, this software can store credit card information for later processing. That’s especially helpful when you deliver goods and services, either on a one-time basis or multiple times. It’s also great for generating recurring credit card payments in either fixed or variable amounts.
Here’s how it works
Just add a USB card reader to your laptop, open the credit card terminal software, swipe the card and type the amount you wish to charge along with the 3 digit CVV security number found on the back of the card holders card complete the required fields and press the send button.
The information is encrypted using 128-bit SSL (Secure Socket Layer) technology. It’s first sent to a transaction server and then on to the card issuer's bank. The card issuer’s bank verifies the cardholder’s identity and verifies if sufficient funds are available to cover the sale. The information is then sent back to you and an authorization number is issued. When using a virtual terminal, the transactions are automatically settled each day. In addition, you can also check the status of transactions, automatically bill customers for recurring charges, and run a variety of useful management reports.
Most software & USB card reader solutions will cost around $150 to $250 which is a bargain as most traditional wireless terminals cost $450 to $650. Not to mention, the additional monthly wireless connectivity fees needed to send the card data from a wireless terminal.
If you’re not comfortable purchasing software and installing it on your computer don’t worry…
You can even use an internet based virtual terminal system. You’ll still use the usb card reader to swipe the card but rather than open software on your computer, instead, you’d log in through a web browser to access the interface where you’ll enter and submit the card data.
So the next time you bring your laptop on the road with you to make your sales presentation why not just add a USB card reader and run the customers card on your portable credit card processing system the next time you close the sale?
Questions and Answers
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I get asked if we offer a free credit card processing terminal program all the time so I'd like to expose the "real deal" behind these programs should you be considering one: The old adage "You can't get something for nothing" was never more applicable than with so- called "free terminal" programs. In this instance, "free" actually means no upfront costs.
