Easy online payments and affordable credit card processing

Accepting payments all day, everyday  

No other credit card processor can come close to to the performance of our virtual terminal.  It was created by CPAs specifically for service providers.  We know that service providers are held to a high level of accountability, which is why a general payment platform does not meet the needs of service professionals.  The need for dynamic payment fields, easy navigation, top encryption and professional looks were the building blocks behind the Connected Pay virtual terminal.  In addition, it had to be simple turn-key solution designed for uncompromising service providers. Whether you are a veteran of e-Commerce or just e-Curious, Connected Pay's service is straightforward, effective and proven.  

Sign up today to increase cash flows, offer payment convenience, differentiate yourself, and above all, reduce administrative time to be the provider your clients expect you to be. 

Sample of the Connected Pay Payment Page

Connected Pay's mission to keep our clients up-to-date and competitive with payment solutions, to help our clients' customers make hassle free, secure online payments and to provide top client service.  We offer a customized virtual terminal interface, merchant accounts and gateway services. We have done the research so you don't have to.  

Sign up today.  Contact Us.  Services. Questions?

Service providers...don't be left in the dust

As a CPA, I don't like change, but for CPAs, Lawyers, and Doctors the only constant is that nothing in our lives is constant!  We deal with constant changes.  

For medical practitioners: New technology means new ways to solve patient problems

For Attorneys: Court rulings mean case law is constantly evolving

For CPAs: Congress continues to create tax laws

With all this change, why add credit card acceptance to a business and why begin accepting credit card payments online?  You may be thinking "I haven't accept credit cards before, or I can accepting credit cards over the phone".  Maybe you begin to think that the only thing not favorably changing in your business are your outstanding receivables.  

Accepting credit cards is becoming the standard, yet those same individuals (including myself at one time) that expect to pay with their credit card at a restaurant or retail store do not accept credit cards in their service business.

It is critical that a business open up to all forms of payment.  The reasons are simple.

• Increased Sales: Clients/Patients can take advantage of services they need most, and in the case of health care services, obtain treatment when it's needed.
• Faster Payment : With credit card transactions, you receive funds within 48-72 hours, improving your cash flow.  Clients/Patients often make payments during nontraditional hours (9pm after the kids have gone to sleep) and appreciate the convenience your business provides.
• Reduced Costs : You can save time on the management of billing, sending statements and tracking receivables, reducing your overhead and related expenses.  TIME IS MONEY!  We know that as we bill out our hours.
• Fewer Processing Problems : Reducing the number of checks you take in diminishes the likelihood of problems resulting from processing checks. So you'll avoid NSF fees, redeposit fees, and minimize misappropriation of funds.
• Improved Customer Service : Clients/Patients enjoy the speed, convenience and payment flexibility that cards provide. Card acceptance lets you accommodate these consumers and offer increased payment options with monthly, quarterly or semiannual billings.  Additionally, Clients/Patients appreciate the fact that they can pay their bill 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Recession proof your business:  When Clients/Patients look at their outstanding bills for service providers, don't be the one that get passed up for payment because payment  flexibility isn't there.

Work with a company that knows professional services.  Connected Pay LLC is a one stop shop for credit card processing. We are professionals helping professionals.  We offer a customized virtual terminal interface, merchant accounts and gateway services. We have done the research so you don't have to.  Our merchant account is the same we offer to our clients.  If you would like some info on how Connected Pay can help your business, drop me a line.  E-mail me

Small businesses need merchant accounts

I met with a small contractor yesterday who does home remodeling, additions, basement finishes, woodworking, electrical, plumbing, and a variety of other items. He said times were hard and he was looking for any work right now. I asked him if he accepted credit cards. His response was that he didn't want to deal with that.  My contractor friend wanted to know what credit cards could do for his business. I have posted some general items that I have heard and observed from our current merchants.

• Don’t turn away sales — or risk losing sales as a result of not offering your customers the choice of paying with credit cards. Some customers may decide not to buy if they can’t pay with a credit card — especially bigger ticket orders. 
• Accepting credit cards helps your business appear more professional. — Even if you have no website or have a home-based business by accepting credit cards your business can seem more established and legitimate. 
• Service-oriented businesses can benefit — by simplifying collections and increasing cash flow. Lawyers, accountants, consultants — all can cut down collections headaches and get paid faster. Statistics show that 24% of accounts receivables are 90 days old or more. This number can be as high as 75%. By accepting credit cards, you immediately solve an aging receivables problem and get your money much faster. 
• Increased customer service is one benefit — to both retail and service oriented businesses from accepting credit cards. Convenience, speed, electronic records – these are all benefits of accepting credit card payments and providing superior customer service. 
• Retail businesses can increase sales — by accepting credit cards. Statistics show that the average credit card order is 3 to 4 times larger than the average check or cash order.  Accepting credit cards as a form of payment can increase sales anywhere from 40% to 400%.

Connected Pay LLC is a one stop shop for credit card processing. We offer a customized virtual terminal interface, merchant accounts and gateway services. We have done the research so you don't have to.  We use the same merchant account we offer to our clients.  If you would like some info on how Connected Pay can help your business, drop me a line.  E-mail me.   

High resolution credit card logos

Some of our merchants have asked for high resolution credit card logos.  I have not been able to access the logos from Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express, however I did find this useful link from http://www.kpao.org/ which provides downloadable logos.  Thanks to the fellow blogger. See link below. Enjoy.

Hi-res credit card logos (Visa, MC, Amex, Discover)

http://www.kpao.org/blog/2008/09/hi-res-credit-card-logos-visa-amex.html

What is interchange plus Interchange rates

Connected Pay has formed strategic relationships with leaders in the payment card industry to offer merchant accounts at "interchange plus" pricing.  For an informative post on interchange rates see What are Interchange rates? or view the "Understanding Interchange" label.  In summary, Interchange plus means that the Merchant Account Provider (Connected Pay) passes through whatever they are getting charged plus a markup for their services.  


Depending on the size/risk of your business, market pricing dictates a markup anywhere from 0.20% to 1.00% plus $0.02-$0.20 / transaction.  Historically only the biggest merchants with the most negotiating power were able to get interchange plus pricing but the market is getting increasingly competitive and merchants are becoming better informed due to the internet and smaller companies are now able to negotiate in this way.  Since all transactions are electronic, why would you want to pay more under a tiered pricing structure when the transaction run through the same electronic network?


Q: Why would a merchant want to be set up under a tiered pricing structure?  A: The structure is simple and it is easier to quote rates on general transactions.  However, this structure tends to be a higher cost option.  


As Connected Pay was established by CPA's, transparency of information is critical.  Merchants must know what terms and conditions they are entering into before signing a contract.   With interchange plus pricing all information is available and posted on the internet.  Click on this link for Visa Interchange rates. Click on this link for Mastercard Interchange rates.  


To take advantage of interchange plus pricing, contact Connected Pay today.  Whether you are a prospective merchant or a seasoned veteran, Connected Pay will work to find a solution that works for your business.  Call Joe today @ 816.268.0136.

What are the benefits of payment pards to consumers?

Payment cards (credit, debit & prepaid cards) offer more security, convenience, flexibility and control than any other payment method.


Convenience

• Consumers can use payment cards to access their bank accounts or credit lines anytime of the day or night, from just about anywhere in the world.
• Payment cards are the fastest, simplest and safest way to make purchases, whether at the point of sale, on the Internet, or by mail or telephone.
• Automatic bill payments save time and hassle by replacing checks for utilities, fitness clubs, subscriptions and others.

Flexibility

• Payment cards are accepted nearly everywhere in the world, providing consumers with secure and convenient access to their funds and their credit lines whenever and wherever they choose.

Control

• Payment cards make it easy to track and manage expenses by offering instant online access to information about recent transactions, as well as detailed monthly statements. Many cards also provide consumers with annual statements that categorize all the previous year’s expenses.
• By offering access to a line of credit, credit cards make it possible for consumers to meet emergency or other extraordinary expenses and to pay for them on a timetable that suits their needs and budgets.

Security

• Using credit, debit or prepaid cards to pay bills – either with automatic bill payment or individual online payments– reduces the likelihood of criminals intercepting mailed statements or payments
• Payment cards are safer than carrying cash or using checks. If a credit or debit card is lost or stolen, it can be replaced quickly and easily, and federal law limits consumers’ liability for the fraudulent use of their cards to $50 in most cases. 
• Moreover, payment card issuers continually invest in state-of-the-art security technology that can detect and prevent many fraudulent transactions before they occur.

Rewards

• Many credit and debit cards offer incentive programs that enable cardholders to earn cash back, airline tickets and other rewards.

Source: MasterCard Worldwide

We make it easy: Connected Pay online payments provide you credibility, increased cash flow, and lower liability.

Connected Pay's online payment service requires no software installation, no website is required, and no programmer is needed. You don't need anything special to accept credit cards by using Connected Pay's service. If you are ready to make it easier for your customers to pay you and save you time, please contact Connected Pay today to begin focusing more on your business. Contact Us at Connected Pay.

Why Accept Credit Cards?

Q: Why should I accept credit cards?  Is it really worth it?

Here are 5 good reasons why it is worth it.  


Merchants around the world rely on credit card acceptance to:

1. Increase sales: in general, your customers can and will spend more with a credit card than with cash or checks.
2. Increase credibility: consumers recognize that a business that accepts credit cards is a legitimate business, one in whom the credit card associations have "endorsed" by allowing them to participate in the credit card system.
3. Better customer service: accepting a credit card is easy and fast, usually more efficient than virtually any other type of payment acceptance.
4. Reduce back office handling: it is far simpler for your accounting staff to handle credit card transactions than to list and deposit checks or cash. Saving their time, saves you money.
5. Reduce cash losses: cash is easy to "lose" or get pocketed by unscrupulous staff. Credit cards circumvent that problem.

We make it easy: Connected Pay online payments provide you credibility, increased cash flow, and lower liability.

Connected Pay's online payment service requires no software installation, no website is required, and no programmer is needed. You don't need anything special to accept credit cards by using Connected Pay's service. If you are ready to make it easier for your customers to pay you and save you time, please contact Connected Pay today to begin focusing more on your business. Contact Us at Connected Pay.