Credit card processing is a must for small business
The best credit card processing features
On-the-go mobile payments
Take mobile payments anywhere with a card reader for your phone. Accept EMV credit and debit cards and digital wallets securely.
Virtual terminals
Turn any computer into a virtual terminal payments device to securely accept ecommerce online payments. No credit card reader, shopping cart or third-party payment gateway required.
Bill Pay
Get paid faster with automated paperless billing and invoicing options. Payment processing integrations with accounting software like Quickbooks can save business owners time and headaches.
Next-day funding and instant deposit
Forget waiting several business days — get credit card transaction deposits in your bank account instantly, same-day or next-day. Instant, same-day funding means never worrying about cutoff windows.
Gift card programs
Build your brand, reduce payment processing costs and keep customers coming back with gift cards.
Cost-saving surcharge program
Avoid card brand fines and keep pricing and margins competitive by recouping credit card processing costs from your customers at checkout through a transaction fee.
Why accept credit card payments?
Consumers don’t pay in cash
Americans use credit and debit cards for the majority of their payments. If you only take cash, you’re missing out on sales.
Theft and fraud risk lowers
Your business becomes safer with fewer deposit drops and less cash on hand. It makes it harder for staff to steal, too.
Fewer accounting errors
Say goodbye to tedious manual reconciliation and errors when you process payments — your bank account will thank you.
Everything you need to know about payment processing
How credit card transactions work
Every credit card transaction moves through the card network for authorization. Discover all the steps and players involved, from your merchant account to issuing banks.
Which payment methods should I accept?
Aside from Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover, there’s also ACH payments, contactless payments, digital wallets (Apple Pay®, Google Pay) and more.
What are credit card processing fees?
Processing costs vary. Interchange rates affect transaction fees. Merchant services can include additional fees due to high-risk transactions, chargebacks, payment gateways, etc.
Accept payments on any device
Choosing a point of sale provider for a retailer or restaurant? There’s a lot to consider. Learn the value different devices can bring to payment solutions.
What should credit card processors offer?
Not all payment processors are equal. What’s the pricing model? Is there reliable customer support? Is there markup or hidden fees? Every business owner should ask critical questions.
What does credit card processing cost?
There are two popular pricing models: interchange plus pricing and flat-rate pricing. The processing solution and functionality you choose affect what you pay.
Why PCI DSS compliance matters
Maintaining PCI DSS compliance protects against fraud and legal and financial penalties — and may lower processing costs.
Why EMV compliance is important
Following security standards for processing card-present EMV chip cards helps prevent fraud. EMV-enabled POS systems are crucial for compliance and lower interchange fees.
How to read a Heartland merchant statement
Merchant statements contain a lot of info about your payment processing costs, monthly fees, chargebacks and more. Reading your statement is a skill — we show you how. Your bank account will thank you.
Heartland vs. Square: compare payment processing functionality
We’ve created a detailed comparison between Heartland’s and Square’s payment solutions, POS and payroll offerings for small business owners shopping for credit card processing services.
The merchants’ ultimate guide to credit card issuers
Learn how the card brands, card issuers and credit card network all work so you can make better decisions about the best credit card processing company to partner with. Your bank account will thank you.