Guest post is provided by Charge.com Payment Solutions, Inc. Charge offer services that allow businesses to accept credit cards online at affordable rates. Visit their website for more information.

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and search engine giants like Google, Bing and Yahoo are connecting more and more customers every day to online stores. Online credit card processing is quickly becoming the most prominent way customers are choosing to pay for products and services. Wherever you look, people are utilizing their smart phones and tablets for instant access at any time of day or night to purchase items they love.

This key way to access your customers should not be overlooked. Data from numerous sources supports the importance of allowing potential customers to access what you have to offer in the virtual world. Having a merchant account allows you to offer this instant gratification to your potential and current clientele.

Buying on the internet allows people 24/7 access to the things they want to purchase. They can read product descriptions, evaluate reviews, and compare prices, all from one simple device.

While this leaves your product out in the open for possible negative feedback on public display, it also increases your chances of reaching a wider audience while decreasing overhead costs to maintain a physical shop.

Credit card processing online allows for items can be stored in warehouses until necessary shipments reducing the risk of overstocking. This kind of instant access is good for everyone across the board.

The data speaks when describing online customer behavior. Forrester Research reports that $231 billion dollars were spent in online sales alone in 2012. This number will most likely reach $370 billion dollars in 2017 at the rate it is increasing now. Add on an increasing trend of life in the virtual world and you have a few good reasons to start an internet merchant account today.

Don’t be left behind in the dust while your competitors sweep up all of your potential clients and sales. Research also shows that when visiting a website, if a customer can’t find what they are looking for in six seconds, they are likely to leave and look elsewhere. Imagine how these numbers can change if you don’t offer credit card processing online at all.

This is why it is so incredibly important to start taking advantage of what some credit card companies have to offer. You would be amazed to find out that there are companies that offer services with no application fees and instant approval methods.

Once approved, you would be under no contract offering a great amount of flexibility needed in this ever changing economy. The best thing to look for is a company that doesn’t require early termination fees.