If you’re a savvy marketer, you’ll know that no business stands still, especially in today’s technology driven market.  No matter what your product or service is, staying on top of all that’s happening around you is of paramount importance for your success.  Yet it’s often easier said than done, especially if you’re on the go all the time, which is why a wireless credit card merchant account is such a good idea.

Not only will this allow you to keep track of your sales and profits, you can also do this from pretty much wherever you are at the time.  You can even give the portable unit to someone to go out and collect payments for you, if need be.  The good news is that it's a pretty straightforward process to set one up as well.  As long as you have an existing merchant account, getting a wireless credit card merchant account is the next logical step.  So how do you set it up, and how does it work?

First of all, you need to have a relevant merchant account.  If you don’t already have one, you can easily and quickly set one up – simply choose the provider you wish to use, and once you’re approved, you can then arrange to have a wireless credit card merchant account.  This works exactly the same way that applying for a standard merchant account does – you still need to pass a credit check.  Once you’ve done this, however, you can move on to the next stage.

This is where you choose exactly what model you wish to use for your wireless credit card merchant account.  If you’ve ever had to pay import to accept a package from FedEx or similar, then you’ll know what to expect when it comes to the basic appearance of the unit.  If it’s going to be used outside a lot, then it would make more sense to have a smaller and more lightweight unit.  You can also buy machines that can be plugged into an electrical terminal indoors. If you really wish to be organized, then make sure you get a unit that will not only process payments, but print off receipts as well.

One thing you will need to keep in mind at all times is the cost factor.  Sure, it allows you more autonomy if you have a wireless credit card merchant account, yet if it’s at the cost of eating away at your profits, it may not be as worthwhile as you thought.  So be sure to factor in all your other costs, such as your monthly merchant accounts; any wireless access costs; and whether there are maintenance costs involved or not.  Remember, profit is what you’re looking for, and with a unit costing anywhere up to several hundred dollars, you need to keep this in mind when adding up the costs.

I am often asked to recommend wireless units.  Two to investigate include the Nurit 8000 and the Way Systems MTT 1510.  Both are durable, small, compact, and process transactions quickly.  The Nurit 8000 has a built-in thermal printer, obviating the need for ribbon or ink.  The Way Systems MTT 1510 offers a separate thermal printing unit.  Both the Nurit and the Way Systems offer GPRS coverage -- the best coverage available today.

Regardless of which machine that you opt to buy, it is best to purchase outright instead of leasing.  The long-term costs of leasing may prove problematic over time and the overall outlay of money will be much greater than any one-time payment.

And that’s it – you’re all set to benefit from the extra profits that having a wireless credit card merchant account can bring to your business.  All you need do now is monitor how successful it is, and change accordingly – that way, you can keep up-to-date with the latest technological advances, as well as give your customers exactly what they want when it comes to paying their bills.

          _____________________________________________________________