Some credit card machine companies also provide merchant accounts, while others are solely equipment manufacturers. We’ll take a look at why that matters and give a rundown of the major equipment providers in the United States. This article is specifically about credit card machine companies, not the machines themselves. Need details on particul...

But even if your machine still works, there are other factors to consider, including security, modern payment methods, and customer experience. In this article, I’ll go over key considerations to help you weigh the timing for upgrading your processing equipment. Obvious Signs That It’s Time for a New Credit Card Machine Of course, the most obviou...

What is the Fair Swipe Act? The Fair Swipe Act, introduced by DC council member Charles Allen, would change the calculation of credit card processing fees. Currently those fees are calculated on the total bill or purchase. Instead, under the Fair Swipe Act, the fees would be calculated only on the subtotal. That is, on the amount prior to taxes an...

As a business owner, you probably know that PCI compliance is required for all businesses that accept credit cards. But if your credit card processor is PCI compliant, does that mean they handle it for you? In short, no, though it is still beneficial for you. What does it mean if a credit card processor is PCI Level 1 compliant? Firstly, let’s ta...

But many business owners find PCI compliance and SAQs confusing or overwhelming. There are even multiple different versions of the SAQ! In this article, I’ll go over the basics to help you understand your responsibilities with the SAQ. What is the SAQ? The Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is a series of yes or no questions about your security ...

Here is a link to the PCI official “Quick Reference” though be warned it’s still 38 pages long. The end of the guide includes QR codes for specific topics to provide additional information and resources. Many businesses find PCI compliance confusing and frustrating, and there are times when it feels like you need a degree in cybersecurity just t...

Before we dive into the Visa and Analytics Partners strategic partnership, let’s take a look at AI for marketing in general. What does AI do for marketing and business? You’ve probably already come across AI, either as a consumer or with tools you use at your business. Chatbots are one popular example. But when it comes to marketing, the primary ...

But what does that mean for your business? Will customers still have and use Discover cards? Are your credit card processing fees going to change? At this point, we don’t know all the details, but here’s what you can expect with the current information. The Discover Acquisition CapitalOne announced its intention to acquire Discover in 2024, but d...