If your business is growing fast and you’ve shifted into a different industry, you might be considered a high-risk merchant. If that’s the case, you’ll need to find a new payment processor. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of high-risk merchant accounts.
High-risk merchant account
A high-risk merchant account is a type of business account, which allows a business to accept credit card payments and process payments. These accounts require strict guidelines and fees, and applicants should be honest about the nature of their businesses. They should also have a co-signer with good credit who can lower their chances of rejection. A high-risk merchant account provider should also offer customer support 24 hours a day.
High-risk merchant accounts are needed for websites with highly risky products or services. These businesses include online dating websites and adult entertainment services. Because of these risks, it is important to choose the right payment processor. High Risk Pay is a good option for high-risk businesses, as it allows you to sell subscription-based services without having to worry about fraudulent credit card use. High Risk Pay is also a great option for businesses that sell nutraceuticals, which have numerous health benefits.
A high-risk merchant account provider will make the process as easy as possible, helping you gather supporting documents and establishing a payment gateway. They can also help you choose which bank is right for your business. Some providers will offer competitive pricing, while others will offer private consultations with an expert. When comparing high-risk merchant account providers, it is important to consider the terms and price before choosing one.
The fees charged by a high-risk merchant account provider can add up. Some providers charge an account setup fee, while others don’t. Some have interchange-plus pricing, which means that you should expect higher fees. You should also check the terms and conditions carefully, and make sure to read the fine print.
Some providers have strict contract conditions, and high-risk merchants should be aware of these before signing up with one. High-risk merchants may also be locked into longer contracts, or be charged an early termination fee. They may also be subject to a rolling reserve, which holds their income until they can verify the transactions.
Before choosing a high-risk merchant account, you should consider the type of business you’re running. Many high-risk businesses operate in industries that are notorious for higher rates of chargebacks, fraud, and return-credits. These types of businesses need to find a payment provider that is familiar with their needs.
Benefits
When determining whether a merchant account is suitable for you, consider your chargeback ratio. If you consistently have a high chargeback ratio, your account may be suspended or cancelled. A high chargeback ratio can mean a loss of 1% or more of your transaction volume. High risk merchant accounts are specially designed to accommodate this risk and may require a chargeback mitigation plan.
Many financial institutions take into account your personal credit score when determining your risk level. This score is different from your business’s, but it is still considered when applying for a merchant account. Even if you are a limited liability company, your personal credit score will still be considered. For example, a tier-one bank may turn you down for a merchant account solely based on your personal credit score. But if your personal credit score is low, there are ways to offset this. One of these ways is to maintain a healthy cash balance in your business’s bank account.
A high-risk merchant account is best suited for businesses that are new or do not yet have a significant amount of processing history. The financial institution can then get a better idea of your business’s health and the types of payment methods used. However, the risk of having chargebacks is greater, and a high-risk merchant account may not be appropriate for your business. A high-risk merchant account is also more costly than a low-risk one.
High-risk merchant accounts also allow for a wider range of transactions. This means you can accept payments in many currencies and serve clients in countries that are not considered low-risk. In addition, high-risk merchant accounts allow you to sell products and services that low-risk merchant accounts don’t allow. Another benefit of a high-risk merchant account is that the account provider will provide better support for you. If you encounter a credit card issue, they will respond promptly and help you resolve the problem.
Although it is not easy to find a high-risk merchant account, a reliable high-risk merchant account service provider can help you get the account you need. High-risk merchant account service providers will monitor your transactions and pay special attention to chargebacks, which are often difficult for high-risk merchants to manage. Additionally, they will charge you a service charge for each chargeback, which covers the administrative costs.
Drawbacks
High risk merchant accounts are a great choice for industries that experience high chargeback rates. These accounts can help your business accept a wider range of credit card types and process a higher volume of sales during special events. However, a high risk merchant account is not without its drawbacks.
Firstly, it can be difficult to choose the right processor for your business. Because of the high risk nature of your business, it is important to read the terms and conditions carefully. Many high risk merchant account providers do not list rates and fees online. Moreover, they do not make it clear whether they charge any extra fees that you should be aware of.
High risk merchant accounts do not require good credit but you should be honest about your credit history and have a co-signer with good credit to lower the chances of rejection. Moreover, make sure to choose a high risk merchant account provider that provides 24/7 customer support. Some companies offer free onboarding and unlimited customer support to their customers.
High risk merchant accounts often require special processing solutions. However, there are many options for obtaining these services. A few of these processors offer high-risk merchant accounts as part of their comprehensive business solutions. For example, 5 Star Processing offers high-risk merchant services to over 26,000 clients.
One disadvantage of high risk merchant accounts is that obtaining one is very difficult. Many banks will not accept these types of accounts. It can be difficult to set up, which makes it impossible for many businesses to operate regularly. High-risk merchant accounts may also not be suitable for online businesses with poor credit.
High risk merchant accounts can come with high fees. These fees are more than double of those charged by low-risk merchant accounts. Some high-risk providers will even charge an early termination fee. High risk accounts may also have higher processing fees. However, there are many benefits, including fast approval, hassle-free setup, and transparent fees.
The best high risk merchant accounts should be flexible enough to accommodate high volume sales. Whether you want to accept cash payments or credit cards, the best solution will depend on your business needs. Having the right payment gateway will improve your business’s security.
Places to get one
If your business processes credit cards, you may want to look for a high risk merchant account. These accounts typically have higher rates and higher rolling reserves. This is because credit card processors calculate risk differently, based on guidelines from banks. This can make it difficult for businesses that do not have a clean credit history to qualify for a high-risk merchant account.
Because of this, you should look for a high-risk merchant account provider that has experience with high-risk businesses. They will help you apply for a high-risk merchant account and guide you through the process. They will also help you set up your payment gateway. Some high-risk merchant account providers that specialize in high-risk businesses include Durango Merchant Services, Payment Cloud, Payline Data, Host Merchant Services, and Soar Payments.
A high-risk merchant account provider will want to work with a responsible business owner. Therefore, they will require a website that is active and updated. You will have a lower approval rate if your website is static. Another factor that will impact your approval is the use of copied content. If a processor detects plagiarism on your website, they may suspend or close your account.
A high-risk merchant account will help you grow your customer base by accepting payments from customers all over the world. It is important to find a reliable high-risk payment processor. Companies such as SecurionPay can help you find an acquiring bank and process payments online or through your mobile devices.
A high-risk merchant account will also allow you to sell products and services that low-risk merchants cannot. These accounts also have higher chargeback protection than a low-risk merchant account. This can be beneficial if your business sells products or services that are risky.
Many high-risk merchant account providers have high startup fees. While high startup fees used to be the norm, this practice has become outdated and payment processors are offering competitive rates to entice high-risk merchants. However, high fees should not be the primary consideration for getting a high-risk merchant account. If you are unsure of which company to work with, ask for a comparison.
