John Burroughs

Payment Processing June 14, 2026 36 min read

Payment Gateway vs Payment Processor: Key Differences Explained

For many business owners, the terms “payment gateway” and “payment processor” sound interchangeable. Both are part of payment acceptance. Both help businesses take card payments.  Both are involved when a customer taps,...

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Payment Processing June 14, 2026 27 min read

How Payment Authorizations Work: A Practical Guide for Merchants

Payment authorization is the approval step that happens before a card transaction can move forward. When a customer pays with a credit card, debit card, contactless card, digital wallet, online checkout form,...

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Payment Processing June 14, 2026 41 min read

Understanding Payment Processing Fees: A Practical Guide for Businesses

Payment processing fees are the costs businesses pay to accept electronic payments. These fees can apply when a customer pays with a credit card, debit card, digital wallet, mobile payment, online checkout,...

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Payment Processing June 14, 2026 43 min read

Merchant Account Approval Requirements Explained: A Practical Guide

Merchant account approval requirements can feel confusing when a business is trying to accept credit card processing, debit card processing, online payments, mobile payments, or in-person card-present transactions for the first time. ...

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Cash Discount June 14, 2026 42 min read

Cash Discount vs Surcharge Program Explained: Key Differences for Businesses

Payment processing costs are a real operating expense. Every card transaction can include interchange fees, assessment fees, processor markup, gateway fees, transaction fees, chargeback fees, and other merchant account costs.  For small...

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Chargeback June 14, 2026 29 min read

Common Chargeback Reasons Explained: A Practical Guide for Merchants

A chargeback is a payment dispute process that allows a cardholder to challenge a credit card or debit card transaction through the issuing bank.  If the bank accepts the dispute, the transaction...

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Card Brand Fees March 3, 2026 9 min read

How to Stay Compliant with Evolving Payment Laws in 2026?

The world of payments has entered uncharted territory. Speeding up the movement of funds with new technologies such as real-time rails, embedded financing, and AI to detect fraudulent transactions is enabling global...

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Cash Discount August 21, 2025 5 min read

Upcoming FTC Rules Every Online Merchant Should Know in 2025

If you have an online business in 2025 and your focus is only on providing the best customer experience possible, then shift your focus a little. This is because you also have...

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Credit Card Processing March 11, 2025 11 min read

What is Credit Card Preapproval

Credit card preapproval is a process that allows individuals to determine their eligibility for a credit card before actually applying for one. It involves a preliminary evaluation of an individual’s creditworthiness by...

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Chargeback March 11, 2025 9 min read

How Chargeback Insurance Can Benefit You As A Merchant

As a merchant, one of the biggest challenges you may face is dealing with chargebacks. Chargebacks occur when a customer disputes a transaction and requests a refund from their bank or credit...

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