Free Merchant Account Fast Facts

Is Your Ecommerce Store Set to Sell TMX Friends Ernie & Cookie Monster?

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:34:00 +0000

When TMX Elmo was sold by Mattel back in 1996, selling toys online wasn't still an option for many retailers. But with the release of TMX Ernie and TMX Cookie Monster this coming holiday season, online merchants are scampering to get their ecommerce stores equipped with the ticklish toys. eBay lists the TMX Friends to be one of the most popular selling collectible toys this Christmas, just next to Transformers, Barbie dolls, Webkinz, and the Nintendo Wii.

TMX Cookie Monster and TMX Ernie are so funny that it's no wonder everyone is out to get them. A quick caveat though: Make sure you handle the shipping details well. Your ecommerce store should be able to inform your shoppers the exact day when the toys will be delivered. Or better yet, give them a chance to order online and pick up the TMX Friends in-store.

Why is this extremely important? Imagine the dismay of little children who were promised to get TMX Friends as gifts from their Santa parents, but didn't get them on time for Christmas Eve unwrapping. You don't want to spoil the occasion! Be a good merchant and let your ecommerce store earn points by being prompt. You will get your reward!

Ecommerce Marketing Tip - Leave No Stones Unturned!

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 06:17:00 +0000

The most aggressive salespeople online know what to do if they want to earn more. They leave no stones unturned. They tend to seek out every corner of possibilities and reach out to every possible buyer. Their ecommerce marketing technique is to create as much exposure for their products or services as possible.

This would mean they would have to make their ecommerce stores cross-browser compatible. Their ecommerce marketing efforts would extend far beyond the standard market and into the less popular browsing and buying platform and audience such as Mac users and the visually impaired, etc.

Because even though some of these online users aren't using PCs, browsing with Mozilla Firefox, or are as technologically adept as most online shoppers, they still have money to spend, and have the urge to buy. That is why targeting them may indeed spell a big difference in sales.

Is Free Merchant Account Best for Low Volume Sellers?

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 07:19:00 +0000

What is particularly striking between a third party processor (also called a free merchant account) and a merchant account itself is that ecommerce sellers would usually look at the numbers before they decide which between the two they would pick. For some merchants, a third party processor may be a better option than a real merchant account because they only transact low volume of payments. The opposite is true for those who have acquired their own internet merchant account.

A good example would be the fact that merchant accounts normally charge a monthly fee. On the other hand, a free merchant account/third party processor may only ask for a one time setup fee, or sometimes none at all, in exchange for a slightly higher transaction fee or discount rate.

If you're a high volume merchant then there's no doubt that the best option would be to apply for an internet merchant account. But if you're a startup (which accounts for a great percentage of the ecommerce merchant population), then a third party processor or free merchant account is your best bet. You may also obtain extra offers such as free virtual terminal, free shopping cart, or free web hosting.

Do US Merchants Have More Chances of Getting a Free Online Merchant Account?

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 09:39:00 +0000

US merchants are far more blessed than any other online sellers around the world. More often than not, they get all the privileges and opportunities that free online merchant account providers offer. If you browse online, you will notice a common denominator among merchant account advertisements. "We offer free setup, free application, free etc. as long as your business is established in the US."

Is this unfair or what? Merchants in the UK and most other international territories also wish to avail of free online merchant accounts. The freebies are simply too enticing to let slip. International merchants that are excluded from the offer may miss out on:

free merchant account setup
free application
free fraud detection and security tools
free reporting, accounting, and sales tracking
free shopping cart
free credit card terminals (manual or virtual)
and more

Isn't it time free online merchant account providers also offer gratis services and products to non-US merchants? This can be a great way to make money since international merchants are growing in number everyday. Instead of focusing only on merchants within the US, providers must also be able to underwrite UK, Australian, Canadian, and other international businesses as well. Doing business online is a global thing. Opportunities should not be limited simply because a business is established in a specific country. This gap in the ecommerce industry needs to be filled!

ECOMMERCE WEB SITE DESIGN TIP 4 - Is Flash Evil?

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:56:00 +0000

What has Flash got to do with everything concerning ecommerce web design? Is it a necessary element? Can merchants do without using it? Will merchants actually increase sales conversion by incorporating Flash design in their websites?

A quick look on the most popular and biggest selling online retailer sites will show you that Flash images are indeed part of the ecommerce web design package. Note though, how sparingly they are used. Why? Because even though Flash images are fun to watch, if they are not designed to load fast, they can be a cause of dismay. Using Flash does have disadvantages, despite being highly appealing. In fact, I can write a whole book about it but I'll hold myself (haha!).

Flash images aren't all that destructive for your website. You just want to make your store look better, but remember the simpler the more functional. Besides they can also be more costly so if you're banking on good ecommerce web design, make sure you sprinkle Flash images very sparingly.

ECOMMERCE WEB SITE DESIGN TIP 1 - Watch out for your designer's promises
ECOMMERCE WEB SITE DESIGN TIP 2 - Content is the Meat and Potatoes
ECOMMERCE WEB SITE DESIGN TIP 3 - SEO WWWHATT?

FREE ONLINE MERCHANT ACCOUNT - Your domestic provider is history

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:41:00 +0000

In the earlier days of ecommerce, merchants have no choice but to apply at a domestic bank (US) in the hopes of getting their business enrolled in a credit card processing service. Some get approved, others don't. Now, doing business online is such a huge industry that it involves not only regular goods such as apparel or furniture, but also products deemed "high risk'. Back then, a high risk merchant can only hope in vain. No other business of this kind is being approved by banks such as Wells Fargo or Bank of America. Such was history, until free online merchant account came in.

A free online merchant account in many ways differ from domestic account. However, it doesn't have to always transact credit cards paid internationally. The difference mainly lies in the fees being incurred. For example, a domestic bank charges an application fee while a free merchant account provider doesn't.

So now times have gone better for online merchants. Because they can directly create a relationship with a third party credit card processor, gone are the days when they would have to wait months for their application to be approved. With a free online merchant account, they can already accept credit card as soon as they get approved. And most likely, an application may be approved within 24 hours!

IS THERE A FUTURE IN THE IN-STORE PICK UP TREND?

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 08:30:00 +0000

Consumers have the last word. If asked whether they would rather browse for products online and pick them up from the nearest store where they live, would they say yes? Or would they rather stay at home, pay for the products online and have them shipped directly to them, damn the costs? Web ecommerce has certainly taken a great leap since five years ago. Today, people have more choices when it comes to buying stuff.

Web ecommerce experts agree that if they give consumers the option to have their products be available in the local stores it would increase online retailers' profit multi-fold. This is a good sign, but not without its pitfalls. But since this scheme is only starting to gain popularity, it takes time before online retailers get a chance to prove its viability in their business.

Allowing people to get access to their hard to find products right from their local store slowly erases the fear of insecure online purchase. Consumers will gain more trust on their favorite apparel, furniture, or hardware stores. They will, at last, make it to the checkout line far more frequently now and in the future than ever before.

Free Merchant Account: Debunking the Misconceptions

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 16:28:00 +0000

If you're an ecommerce site owner, or somebody who does business on the Internet, you'd know that in order to accept credit card payments, you'd need a merchant account. For some business-owners, getting a merchant account through a broker or a bank is easy, especially if the business is as steady as a rock.

However for some merchants with start up businesses, getting their own merchant account proves difficult. A mom and pop business applying for a merchant account through a bank can get rejected for the following reasons... Read the rest of the post here:

Free Merchant Account: Debunking the Misconceptions

Free Merchant Account: Debunking the Misconceptions

What a Free Merchant Account can do for your Life Coaching Business

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:25:00 +0000

Once in our lives, we've made a trip to the shrink(since our friends would be too tired to listen to us rant) or hired the services of a life coach. Some may shirk away from the idea of having somebody coach our lives, or listen to us rant about things private to us. However, this “i have an appointment with my shrink” has also translated itself to the ecommerce market. Let's just say they've gone bigtime and have been offering to online consumers as well.

If you're a life coach, you can double your revenue, possibly make it more convenient for your patients to benefit from your products and services. How? Through a free merchant account.

Here are ways to maximize the capabilities of your free merchant account. Read the rest of the post here:

What a Free Merchant Account can do for your Life Coaching Business

Sheriff’s Office accepts credit cards

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 03:58:00 +0000

Although it's convenient, I'm hoping I won't be swiping my credit cards down at the sheriff's office anytime soon.

Sheriff’s Office accepts credit cards

Free Merchant Account Tip: Prepare for the holiday shoppers

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 02:49:00 +0000

Christmas season is associated with traffic, shopping, and of course, the birth of someone special to the Christian community.

Christmas notwithstanding, the holiday season is fast approaching. September is just a whistle away, and this has prompted the good shoppers of the world to start their holiday shopping – online. Reports have shown an increase in online spending as early as the month of August. For free merchant account holders, this is your chance to break even. But your normal selling techniques, the way you market your products as well as your website should be even more inviting to shoppers in the world.

In other words: enhance your website for the holidays, and they maybe prompted to buy...

Read the rest of the post here:

Free Merchant Account Tip: Prepare for the holiday shoppers

Free Merchant Account Tip: Include Customer Reviews on Your Ecommerce Site

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 06:08:00 +0000

According to a report by bizreport.com, most customers rely on peer reviews when making purchases online. Buying online has its risks - you can't see and hold the actual product. Delivery day may come and you'll see the product at an unexpected light. This, I believe is the purpose of customer reviews. In a way, you are made aware of the shortcomings of a product, and if that "bad" review is proven true, it's nobody's fault but yours (you were, after all, warned!).

How do customer reviews affect shoppers and merchants alike? read the rest of the post here:

Free Merchant Account Tip: Include Customer Reviews on Your Ecommerce Site

hello halo!

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 07:53:00 +0000

I have yet to order mine though...

The video game "Halo 3" has already broken records, and it hasn't even shipped yet. Microsoft says the game has netted 1 million pre-orders, despite a beta test that left many players lukewarm. In addition, Microsoft also has unveiled a marketing campaign more reminiscent of a major movie premiere than a video game release.

Read the rest of the article here:

Halo 3 Glows with 1 Million Pre-Orders

Free Merchant Account Tip: tweak your photo merchant site

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 06:27:00 +0000

A feel good vibe emanates from someone who's just seen his or her photo used for something – a brochure, a site, a magazine. The pride, the glory - all those feel good emotions just run through you and just makes you want to become a better photographer.

Given that your picture was sold directly off your brand-spanking new website, the feel good vibes reach exponential levels.

Having your own website to showcase your photos can do wonders for your bank account. Especially if you handle stock photographs. Stock photos are photographs sold for licensing purposes (the company is paying for the right to use your photos – but not exactly to buy the photos themselves). There are many uses for stock photos – in business, advertising, print, marketing material both offline and online. If you're just starting out, here are some things you need to know...

Read the rest of the article here:

Free Merchant Account Tip: Tweak your Photo Merchant Site

another hit to hurt fraudsters..

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 03:31:00 +0000

Wow they're really coming up with amazing ideas to secure our credit cards. I hope this works.

The industry is reacting quickly to online fraud. Extra steps in the purchasing procedure (such as the 'Verified by Visa' password screen) have been introduced. This year, Barclaycard and Royal Bank of Scotland are both rolling out new hand-held terminals for customers. These devices, similar to the Pin terminals in shops, will add an extra layer of security for online banking customers setting up new payments to third party accounts.

Read the article here:

The text to your mobile that tells you if someone else is using your credit card

Free Merchant Account Tips: Sell that photo! Make Money with a Photography eCommerce Site

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:14:00 +0000

So you've got your camera, and a couple of years studying in an Art school for your photography degree. Or maybe you're a hobbyist who's had years of experience shooting frames since childhood and would like to set out into the big, lucrative world of selling photographs.

Luckily for you, the Internet has made it easier for photopreneurs to sell their photos and services. Customers can pick out the photo they want in an instant and you get fast money no matter the location it came from.

Learn the tricks of this trade! Read the rest of the article here:

Sell that photo! Make Money with a Photography eCommerce Site

Lights, Camera, Sales: Tips to Better Photos for your Ecommerce Site

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 09:52:00 +0000

Describe cotton to a man born blind.

Difficult eh? Without the sense of sight, it would be pretty difficult to describe something with just your words. Because sometimes, words just aren't enough. For ecommerce sites, words are never enough(although they can be powerful). You can't sell something and not have your customers complaining because don't see any photos. It's like a man groping in the dark.

Read the rest of the article here:

Lights, Camera, Sales: Tips to Better Photos for your Ecommerce Site

Free Merchant Account Requirement: A Solid Return Policy Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 05:56:00 +0000

“No Sale is Ever Final”

I've seen quite a few receipts come my way with that exact statement. For consumers around the world, seeing this statement is a testament to the good return policy of the merchant store – however, for merchants, this statement is not always to their benefit. Movies have depicted women buying clothes from stores and returning the garments the next day with the tag carefully intact even after wearing the garments. Too bad for merchants, good for abusive consumers.

This is precisely the reason not all return policies are created equal – and not all products are available for refund. There are also certain kinds of product exceptions. Included are the following:

Read the rest of the article here:

Free Merchant Account Requirement: A Solid Return Policy Part 2

credit vs debit card: 1-0 in favor of credit cards

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 03:01:00 +0000

why so?

Check out this news clip c/o of digg.com.

"Julie would really like to pay her mortgage, but she can't. Why not? Because when she tried to help her son buy a MacBook, Apple decided to debit $1517.27 from her account without permission. When she called to tell them they'd pulled the money from the wrong card, causing her account to over draft, they apologized and told her they'd fix it. Instead, they debited another $186 from Julie's account, and another $1517.27 from her son's account."

Talk about credit card benefits(as compared to debit cards - but hey I'm not discounting the benefits of debit cards here). Fortunately, this is Apple, and we're sure Steve Jobs' company will do something immediately to compensate for the error. A brand new Iphone perhaps?

Credit vs Debit card: 1-0 in favor of credit cards

Free Merchant Account Requirement: A Solid Return Policy Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 03:26:00 +0000

“What's your return policy?”

Every successful business has one thing in common: a good and solid return policy. It may come as a surprise to many, but return policies are one of the most important deciding factors for shoppers. Supposing you have a physical retail store or an online one, a return policy can either encourage or discourage a visitor to become a customer.

When applying for a free merchant account, a return policy is also required.

Read the rest of the article here:

Free Merchant Account Requirement: A Solid Return Policy Part 1

The lazy man's guide to creating a merchant site URL part 2

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 03:21:00 +0000

Last time, the discussion on creating a URL focused on the use of extensions, and how shorter the url is, the better. Let's have a recap:

Acquire a dotcom

When choosing a domain name, make certain yours has a dotcom extension. Not only does a dotcom add a dash of professionalism to your company reputation, it makes your site look legitimate to the eyes of your customer.

Short and sweet is the way to go

For easier to remember URLS (easy to write, spell, remember, pronounce), shorter urls are better. Avoid long, difficult to spell URLs and as much as possible, try to avoid dashes and other odd characters for your URL.

Read the rest of the article here:

The Lazy Man's Guide to Creating a Merchant Site URL Part 2

stop ripping off people's blogs

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 03:09:00 +0000

This one goes out to you who rips off articles from other people's blogs. Since writers can't do anything about it really, we'll just write/rant some more articles about people who steal content from other sites and don't even have the decency to rewrite or post the source.

Cmon guys, stop stealing, ripping off, plagiarizing. stop. stop. stop.

"Please don't steal this web content" article from the NYtimes.

The lazy man's guide to creating a merchant site URL part 1

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:44:00 +0000

Experience tells me that having an incredibly witty tagline does wonders for a brand. It can account for an increase in popularity or its demise. A friend once asked, “when you drink coke, do you unconsciously say AHHH after one swig?”. See how powerful brand association is? Brand association isn't limited to commercials, tagline, imagery, etc. If you have a home on the net, it also applies to your website and more importantly, your URL.

URL or Uniform Resource Locator is your address on the world wide web (much similar to the addres of your physical store). When a customer wants to know what's the latest product or service of your business, they simply have to type your URL. Your choice of URL or domain name is vital to your exposure on the net. Just imagine a physical store without an address - how can your customers find you?

Get some free tips to create a merchant account site URL. Read on.

a precursor to my upcoming article..

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 09:59:00 +0000

See how important domain names are?

Some are bidding on domains for as high $12,000,000. hallelujah! Who'd be crazy enough to do that? Apparently, they're not that crazy and in fact are netrepeneurs in their own right - and they've got a lot of money to go around.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/biztech/07/23/domain.name.dealing.ap/index.html

How a Free Merchant Account can help your nonprofit organization

noreply@blogger.com (the free merchant account wizard) — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 06:49:00 +0000

Not everyone has a golden heart like you do – you who have built your life around pushing for causes other than yourself. You have unselfishly devoted your life towards making this world a better place – be it a non-profit organization in the environment or humanitarian field.

Whether you're an advocate for Greenpeace, trying to raise funds for housing groups in third world countries or locating owners for abandoned pets, your charitable/non-profit organization can be better with a free merchant account.

How can a free merchant account help your non-profit organization? Continue reading post.