How to Accept Credit Card Payments

Accepting card payments is mostly a set of choices. This guide walks through them in order and points to our free tools and comparisons. It is general information, not financial or legal advice.

Step 1: Decide how customers will pay

Think about where the sales happen. In person calls for a reader or POS system. Online calls for a checkout or payment links. Invoices let you bill clients, and some providers also list bank (ACH) payments. Most small businesses use more than one.

Step 2: Get your business basics in place

Providers typically ask for your business details, an EIN or tax ID and a bank account for deposits. If you have not set these up yet, see how to start an LLC and our comparison of business bank accounts. The IRS issues an EIN for free.

Step 3: Choose a provider

Compare published rates, plan fees, contract terms and support. We rank the options on Best credit card processing for small business and compare pairs on our compare pages. Estimate your monthly cost with the processing fee calculator.

Step 4: Set up and test

Create the account, connect your bank, order or connect hardware if you need it, and run a real test sale. Check how receipts, refunds and payouts work and how long deposits take; some providers list faster payout options for an extra fee.

Step 5: Understand fees and disputes

Know your rate for each payment type, including keyed-in and international cards where they cost more. Know what a dispute costs and how to respond. Providers list dispute fees differently, so read their terms.

Step 6: Consider surcharging carefully

Some businesses add a surcharge to card payments. Where it is allowed, card network rules and state law limit it. See our surcharge calculator and the state-by-state table.