If you are a business owner who has been reluctant to accept credit cards in the past, you need to understand how important it is to accept credit cards and how it will help your business.

First off, people tend to think that businesses that don't accept credit cards are unprofessional. It's a silent message to your customers or clients that you don't take your business seriously enough to pay the application fee and other fees associated with payment processing through credit cards.

Further, customers might be annoyed by the fact that you don't accept credit cards. Most people don't carry cash anymore, and they might not always have a checkbook with them, but you can bet they always have a credit card, ATM card or check card in their wallet. Make it easier for your customers by accepting the payment method they always have on hand.

If you receive payments through invoicing clients, accepting credit cards is much more convenient and will save you time. Instead of having to type up an invoice, print it out, mail it, wait for a check to arrive, drive to the bank and cash the check, all you have to do is run a credit card payment. If you add up the time and expense in terms of supplies and postage of billing in this way, you'll see that your merchant account fees are lower than the amount you spend to send invoices.

Another advantage for you when it comes to accepting credit cards is that it can help get some of your past due accounts cleared up. When people know they can use a credit card and still pay over time, they will choose that option and you'll get your money faster.

This gives your business a better profile because it means you have less bad debt on your accounts and a higher cash flow.

Even if a lot of the sales at your business are small, you'd be surprised how many people will charge $5 for a cup of coffee and a bagel or a sandwich and drink. Giving people the option to pay with a credit card is always a good idea, and it may actually increase your sales as people who never carry cash and hate to write checks will visit your business more often.

It pays to take the time to consider accepting credit cards. Weigh the costs of a merchant account against the amount your sales or cash flow might increase and you'll likely find the fees don't make credit card processing too expensive after all.