Credit card processing guides
These guides explain how card processing pricing really works, how to read your statement, and how to lower your fees, so you can compare offers with confidence. Each one starts with a direct answer and includes tables and FAQs.
Interchange-plus vs flat-rate vs tiered pricing
Compare the three main credit card processing pricing models: interchange-plus, flat-rate and tiered. See examples, pros and cons, and which fits your business.
What is a cash discount program?
A cash discount program lets you post card prices and give a discount for cash, offsetting processing fees. Learn how it works, the rules, and surcharging differences.
How to read your merchant statement
Learn how to read a credit card processing statement: find your total volume, total fees, effective rate, interchange, markups and hidden fees.
Square vs Clover vs Toast for small business
An independent comparison of Square, Clover and Toast POS: pricing, hardware, contracts, processing lock-in and which fits restaurants, retail and services.
How to lower credit card processing fees
Practical ways to cut credit card processing fees: switch pricing models, remove junk fees, avoid downgrades, use cash discount programs and compare providers.
High-risk merchant accounts explained
What makes a business high-risk, how high-risk merchant accounts work, typical rates and rolling reserves, and how to get approved and stay approved.
What is a good effective rate?
Learn what a good credit card processing effective rate is by business type, how to calculate yours, and what pushes it up or down.
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