Customers love it when companies accept credit cards over the phone because they need not dress up to go shopping, they don't have to find a babysitter, they need not put gas in the car, and they don't have to worry about stopping at the bank for cash while en route to your establishment. All they have to do is pick up a phone receiver, dial your number, and punch in responses to the automated order and payment system. It sounds highly sophisticated, but actually the process is fairly simple. Here is how to get started.

First, to accept credit cards over the phone you will need a merchant account. This will provide you with a financial underwriter for coordinating customers' credit payments with your account. The underwriter facilitates the credit payment to ensure it is good and when cleared, puts the money into your account for ready access. Of course there are fees for this service, but most merchant account users feel they are well worth it because of the unlimited potential for growth and profit. Find a reputable financial underwriter, like a solid bank or other lender, and apply for a merchant account. Check out all possible fees so there are no surprises later. In fact, you should compare account options among various lenders to get the best deal.

Next, when your merchant account is approved, you can select digital phone services that will enable you to accept credit cards over the phone via a selection of customer options. For example, you may wish to make the service available 24/7, or you might wish to limit access to certain hours when a customer service employee can be on hand, if needed, to complete transactions if a glitch should occur or to answer questions. You will need to ensure the phone connection is secure, and you can decide whether to have customers key in their credit card numbers or be able to choose the voice option as well or instead of the key-in choice. Will your provide a confirmation number? Will receipts be mailed or emailed? These and other questions will need to be worked out when setting up your phone credit card processing service.

Telephones are being used more and more for business ordering and payment services, especially with the credit payment feature for those who wish to accept credit cards online. By paying a few cents for each transaction or a low interest rate overall, you can remove limits from your sales field and increase volume dramatically. Contact a merchant account representative to find out more about the many exciting possibilities that await you when you implement the latest technology for your business, beginning with the choice to accept credit cards over the phone.