The Web is replete with websites that provide a merchant account recommendation, ranking so-referred to as elite providers based on a set array of criteria. Nonetheless, 1 ought to establish whether or not these are objective internet sites or ones that have a hidden agenda.
Trying to keep abreast of the happenings in the merchant account field, I go to a fantastic number of industry-related web sites, especially those that purportedly provide merchant account recommendations and even reviews on merchant account providers. Understanding our competitors – at least those that take pleasure in a high degree of optimization – I am able to separate the wheat from the chaff. (Even though reputable businesses exist, there are too a lot of merchant account providers whose programs and services are not palatable – providers who shall stay nameless.)
Still, it never ceases to amaze me that such suspect providers often rank among the finest credit card processors on so-referred to as objective web sites. Such sites declare, for example, “Organization X has the finest rates in the industry.”
Invariably, when I compare our rates with Business X, I realize that this merchant account review internet site forgot to indicate that there exists at least one exception. In an absolute fair world, the web site would be able to compare all providers (and all relevant rates) to give totally accurate information.
At times, I contemplate calling these merchant account comparison web sites – the ones that do not list us – to say, “How about us?” Occasionally, when I am feeling a little brave, irritated at the slight, or just plain bored, I truly do so. Recently, I known as a webmaster about her confounded #1 selection, and requested that she examine our program to make an informed choice. To her credit, and to my utter astonishment, she did so, and soon after exhaustive review, now tabs us under the heading, “merchant account recommendation.”
My communication with another merchant account review advisor did not materialize into a effective result. The owner of a rather huge company listed two of our competitors as the finest options and even recommends them on enterprise forums. When I emailed this owner, urging him into seeking into the specifics of our program, he replied that advertising space was offered for about $500 – $600 per month. Now this owner might truly believe that his advertisers take place to be the best in the industry (a coincidence, I would say), but it appears likely that such recommendations reflect the will need to retain advertising profit.
If a given credit card processor could start forking over cash to such website owners, it would be declared the greatest merchant account provider that money can buy. Specific vendors could opt to take the greater, ethical road, refusing to pay for compliments and a lot more justly earn a referral or recommendation.
Please note that I want to differentiate tried and true advertising (e.g., now, a word from our sponsor) to advertising, masquerading in the form of “objective and helpful” recommendations. I would not have a difficulty if the merchant account review advisors believed that they were choosing the very best merchant account options – even if they had been profiting from such a recommendation. The moral dilemma exists when such advisors have not really examined programs and dispense suggestions, based on the highest bidder. I also aver that particular merchant account organizations are truly getting such sites themselves, and in the guise of objectivity, present themselves as the best merchant account choice.
Owners who are trying to glean information about providers should consult a variety of sources. Reviews and comparisons may present valuable information but need to not automatically be “accepted as gospel.” Continue to perform your due diligence once you receive a merchant account recommendation.
