Accepting credit cards
We know how important it is for your business to give customers flexibility and options. That’s why we offer credit card payment processing services for all major card brands.
Your customers expect a smooth process when making a purchase. They expect to be able to pay for your product or service the way they pay for everything else - with their preferred method. Customers want a variety of payment methods and expect your business to accept cards. Our research shows this is an important factor in how they'll rate your business. If you don’t accept credit and debit cards, you could be missing selling opportunities.
With our credit card processing services, you'll be able to accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB, Debit/ATM, and other private-label cards.
How accepting credit card payments works
Whether in-store or online, the card payment process usually takes seconds. But behind the scenes, there’s a series of complex steps taking place, such as security and balance checks.
When a customer is ready to make a purchase, they insert, swipe or contactlessly present their card. It’s also possible to manually enter card information. Your point-of-sale (POS) then communicates with the card issuer (your customer's bank or card association). This makes sure they have enough funds to cover the purchase. The process also activates encrypted security measures, ensuring there’s no suspicious card activity.
Credit card security and PCI compliance
All credit card processing companies must comply with the data security standards set by the Payment Card Industry (PCI). This means providers, like us, stick to industry best practices so you know you’re in safe hands. We do this by enabling a secure processing network, protecting cardholder data, and monitoring quality, among other things.
As a business that wants to accept credit card payments, you need to ensure that you remain PCI compliant, otherwise you risk being fined. By using Sage for credit card acceptance and processing, you get a market-leading service that adheres to PCI standards.
Why Sage credit card processing