วันอังคารที่ 31 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2552

Merchant Account Vocabulary

By Bobbie McKee

In this new age of ecommerce, more and more people, even without a formal business background, want to go into an online business. Almost all of online businesses, even the large ones, need a merchant account. Here are some of the jargons that online business owner wannabes must understand first before finally taking their baby steps in setting up their business.

Credit Card

A credit card is a small plastic card which allows a consumer to purchase a product or service through a line credit issued by a bank or a merchant account. It is activated by a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that is accessible only by the owner of the card. The card itself has an electronic system that goes into a system of payment scheme involving the merchant and the issuing bank. The size and shape of the credit card must comply with the regulations set by the ISO 7810.

Merchant Account

A merchant account is an agreement between the merchant and an acquiring bank in which the merchant could accept payments through credit cards through an extended line of credit given by the bank. The merchant account maybe provided by either a bank that is directly processes transactions with Visa and MasterCard or by an Independent Selling Organization/Member Service Provider (ISO/MSP). The costs of setting up a merchant account depend on the type of the product, expected sales and the process of how transactions are made.

3-Tier Pricing

This is the most popular pricing scheme for most merchant account providers. Depending on the situation on how was it done, the transaction will be classified into three groups: non-qualified, mid-qualified and qualified. The less qualified the transaction is, the more it will be charged. A transaction that is done according to what is set and defined by the merchant is considered to be "more" qualified.

Payment Gateway

A payment gateway, as what its name suggests, provides the channel in which encrypted information is exchanged between the consumer, the merchant account provider, the merchant, the acquiring bank and the issuing bank. This makes sure the information exchanged is accurate and that it will be exclusively used by the involved parties only.

Chargeback

A chargeback often results from a dispute between the customer and the merchant. This is when a transaction is returned by the costumer into the acquiring bank, and ultimately, to the merchant. A customer files a chargeback when he/she finds that the product does not meet his/her expectation, when the product was not delivered properly or was not delivered at all, or when the transaction itself is fraudulent. The merchant may avail a chargeback insurance to protect himself/herself in the event of a chargeback.

Electronic Commerce

Electronic Commerce or eCommerce basically refers to the commercial activities that are carried out through the internet. Aside from selling, it also includes activities like inventory management, supply chain management, exchange of business information and management of online funds. Due to the increased flux of businesses taking advantage of the accessibility of the internet, there was also an increase of ecommerce merchant account providers.

Some ecommerce merchant account providers do more than managing the transactions between the consumers, the acquiring bank and the issuing bank. They also take care of the technical side of putting up the online store, like website hosting, maintenance and design.

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Building Your Landing Page

By Steve Blalock

Before you get started creating your landing page, you will need a number of things to a) make your offer actually have a point; and b) facilitate the creation of your landing page.

One thing you absolutely must have before you get started is an autoresponder. Without any autoresponder, you are tossing potential bags of money in the garbage. Rather than creating a relationship with customers and potential customers " and giving yourself the opportunity to attempt future upsales -- you're allowing them to leave and never return.

In addition to an autoresponder, you must have an actual offer that people want to buy. You may want to develop a product, such as an ebook or a piece of software. If you don't have the skills to do either, you can always hire a professional to do it for you through elance.com or guru.com. You will then either want to sell this product and attempt to get subscribers from your thank you page " or you will want to get subscribers by offering the product for free (which is what many Internet marketers now do).

Another thing you must have before you get started is a check out service. You may want to consider Google Check Out, Paypal, a Shopping Cart Service, Click Bank, Sale Flurry, or 2 Check Out. All of these services will allow you to make transactions quickly.

You also need a set of graphics, which usually includes a graphic header, a check out button, background wallpaper, and a half-decent picture of yourself. You can probably provide the picture of yourself, but you might want to hire a professional to do the rest.

The final item you will need before you can get started on your landing page is some way in which to create a realistic signature. Http://www.vletter.com is probably your best bet; but, if you're on a budget, you may want to opt for simply using a wordprocessing program.

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Eight Questions About Financial Planning

By Hank Brock

What is Personal Financial Planning?

Personal financial planning is guidance by a licensed financial professional on the financial decisions faced by individuals. It includes portfolio allocations, future planning decisions, goal setting, and exploration of different investment vehicles.

Why do I Need Personal Financial Planning?

Financial planning allows you to organize your finances in such a way as to maximize returns on investments, reduce tax liability, achieve appropriate risk management, and ultimately obtain financial peace of mind.

But Can't I Accomplish That Myself?

That?s possible, but will you actually do it? Most have found it to be increasing difficult to adequately plan for their financial growth and security. Their most common roadblocks to personal planning have been:

- No time

- The wide variety of today?s investment opportunities

- Tax laws change to frequently to keep up

- Untangling employee compensation and benefits

What is Typically Included in a Financial Plan?

The length of the plan is based on the complexity and specifics of each individual situation. The typical plan can be anywhere from 10 pages to 150 pages and includes:

- Cash Flow Analysis

- Debt Management and Investment Portfolio Assessment

- Liquidity Analysis (Estate and Retirement)

- Tax and Planning Projections

- Retirement Needs Analysis

- Insurance Evaluation

- Future Educational Funding Needs

- Employee Benefit Analysis

- Business Analysis (if applicable)

What Role Do I Take in the Planning Process?

Your role in the planning process is to provide as clear and concise information to the planner as you can. They should clearly understand your goals, dreams, attitudes, and positions. Your planner may meet with you annually to update this information.

Are Any of the Financial Planning Fees Tax Deductible?

Typically yes. IRS Section 212 lays out the specifics as to what aspects of your investments and tax planning are deductible (and you planner should be able to assist in this).

How Can I Measure the Worth of Financial Planning?

After your situation has been analyzed and recommendations made, you will be able to compare clearly your present financial condition with what is projected for the future. The long-range benefits should far outweigh the costs.

Will Personal Financial Planning Make Me Rich?

Regrettably, get-rich-quick schemes generally don't work. This makes personal financial planning all the more important. Proper planning will help you keep more of what you earn and assist in helping your money work harder for you. It will do this by:

- Increasing the productivity of assets

- Provides growth and security for your family

- Broadening asset structure to reduce risks

- Provides introduction to a broader spectrum of investment opportunities

- Increased tax savings

- Investment alternatives are provides closer inspection

- Minimizes the negative effects of disability, early retirement, and death

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