Step 1: Choose a Payment Processor. After you’ve taken care of the legal and organizational matters, it’s time to select a payment processor for your merchant account. A payment processor is a third-party service that connects online buyers with sellers by securely handling credit card payments. Some common examples of payment processors include PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net. Be sure to research different payment processors to compare their fees and benefits before making your selection.
Step 2: Set Up Your Bank Account. Before you can receive payments from customers, you’ll need to set up a bank account for the merchant account. Choose an institution that works best for your needs, such as a local bank or an online bank. Make sure the chosen account is compatible with your payment processor and that it meets all of the necessary requirements.
Step 3: Connect Your Bank Account to the Merchant Account. Once you’ve set up your merchant account and connected it to a payment processor, you’ll need to link it to your bank account. Depending on the processor, you may need to provide additional information, such as banking credentials or a voided check. Once everything is in order, you’ll be ready to start accepting payments from customers!
Step 4: Familiarize Yourself With Your Payment Processor. Now that your merchant account is up and running, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the features of your payment processor. Many payment processors offer helpful tools, such as invoicing capabilities or fraud protection services. Spend some time getting acquainted with your provider so that you can take full advantage of its benefits.
Step 5: Start Accepting Payments! Once you’ve completed all the steps, it’s time to start accepting payments from your customers. Be sure to let them know that you are now processing online payments so that they can make purchases with ease. Congratulations on setting up your merchant account!