--- title: How to Accept Payments Online description: Do you need a merchant account to accept credit cards online? Probably not. Here's what you need to know about merchant accounts and the alternative. image: https://www.gosite.com/hubfs/Blog/Images/Payments%20Campaign/How%20to%20Accept%20Payments%20Online/How-to-Accept-Payments-Online-2@2x.png --- [![GoSite](https://www.gosite.com/hubfs/GoSite.svg "GoSite")](https://www.gosite.com/?hsLang=en-us) English English Espanol - [ How We Help ](https://www.gosite.com/blog/how-to-accept-credit-cards-online#) - [![small business websites](https://www.gosite.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20New%20Web%20Pages/New%20Site%20Icons/small%20business%20websites.png?width=24&height=24&name=small%20business%20websites.png) Small Business Websites ](https://www.gosite.com/local-business-websites?hsLang=en-us) - [![local search tools](https://www.gosite.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20New%20Web%20Pages/New%20Site%20Icons/local%20search%20tools.png?width=24&height=24&name=local%20search%20tools.png) Local Search Tools ](https://www.gosite.com/local-search-tools-for-service-businesses?hsLang=en-us) - [![online reputation](https://www.gosite.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20New%20Web%20Pages/New%20Site%20Icons/online%20reputation.png?width=24&height=24&name=online%20reputation.png) Online Reputation ](https://www.gosite.com/get-online-reviews?hsLang=en-us) - 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[** ](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Accept%20Payments%20Online&body=How%20to%20Accept%20Payments%20Online%20https://www.gosite.com/blog/how-to-accept-credit-cards-online) [Improve Cash Flow](https://www.gosite.com/blog/tag/improve-cash-flow) # How to Accept Payments Online Do you need a merchant account to accept credit cards online? Probably not. Here's what you need to know about merchant accounts and the alternative. ![GoSite](https://www.gosite.com/hubfs/gositelogo.png) GoSite Jul 23, 2019 3 min read ![GoSite](https://www.gosite.com/hubfs/gositelogo.png) GoSite Jul 23, 2019 3 min read ![featured_image](https://www.gosite.com/hubfs/Blog/Images/Payments%20Campaign/How%20to%20Accept%20Payments%20Online/How-to-Accept-Payments-Online-2@2x.png "How-to-Accept-Payments-Online-2@2x") There are a variety of ways a business can accept payments online. While a merchant account is a common method of online [payment processing](https://www.gosite.com/payment-processing?hsLang=en-us), it's not the only way. In this blog, we’ll take a look at how merchant accounts work and an alternative that exists for businesses with storefronts.   ## Do I Need a Merchant Account to Accept Payments Online?  A merchant account coupled with a [payment gateway](https://www.gosite.com/blog/payment-processor-vs.-payment-gateway-what-you-need-to-know?hsLang=en-us) is the most common way of enabling online payments. A merchant account is a specially designated bank account that allows you to [accept credit card payments](https://www.gosite.com/blog/how-to-accept-credit-card-payments?hsLang=en-us). A payment gateway facilitates the transaction between the merchant, customer, and their respective banks.  However, you do not need a merchant account to accept payments online. In fact, merchant accounts can be a hassle to set up, especially if you’re a small business with limited wares. In addition, if you have a merchant account *and *a payment gateway, you typically have to pay fees for both. ![accept payments online](https://www.gosite.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Images/Payments%20Campaign/How%20to%20Accept%20Payments%20Online/How-to-Accept-Payments-Online-1@2x.png?width=2400&name=How-to-Accept-Payments-Online-1@2x.png)   ## Accept Payments Online Without a Merchant Account You may need a payment gateway in order for your merchant account to work, but you don’t need a merchant account for your payment gateway to work. Some providers offer an “all-in-one” solution that are generally faster and easier to sign up for. Many of these have some form of[ mobile credit card processing ](https://www.gosite.com/blog/this-is-why-you-need-mobile-credit-card-processing?hsLang=en-us)capability as well, allowing customers to pay through phone and/or owners to accept payments through phone. We’ll call this type of provider a payment service provider, as opposed to the standard merchant account providers (described above) that provide merchant accounts. Payment service providers are also known as payment facilitators or third-party processors. These providers don’t offer a merchant account; instead, your account is included in their system.  **In other words, they’re an all-in-one solution that allows you to accept payments online *and* integrate seamlessly with your in-store checkout. ** ![How to Accept Payments Online](https://www.gosite.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Images/Payments%20Campaign/How%20to%20Accept%20Payments%20Online/How-to-Accept-Payments-Online-3.png?width=1200&name=How-to-Accept-Payments-Online-3.png) ## Benefits of Payment Facilitators  What would an in-store transaction with a payment facilitator look like?  - A customer decides to make a purchase from you (congrats!)  - They provide their card - You enter their payment details It really can be that easy. With a third-party processor, you enjoy several benefits:  **Seamless Sign-up**. The process of signing up for a merchant account can be time-consuming since you have to collect documentation. And unless you’re a well-established business, you are much more likely to be declined.  **[Minimize Fees](https://www.gosite.com/blog/how-credit-card-processing-companies-take-advantage?hsLang=en-us). **There are usually no [setup or maintenance fees](https://www.gosite.com/blog/how-credit-card-processing-companies-take-advantage?hsLang=en-us) involved with a payment facilitator. A merchant account has all kinds of additional costs, like security charges, a PCI-compliance charge, different fees for different card types, and so forth.  **Customer Service. **Your interactions with a bank merchant account are bound to be impersonal; they’ve got bigger fish to fry. Choosing a third-party processor ensures the experience is a little more human. You’ll have an easier time reaching out to an account manager should you run into any issues. **Integrate With Your Website. **Some payment gateways function online and off. That is to say, the same system that you use for transactions in your store is the same system you use to [accept payments online](https://www.gosite.com/blog/3-trends-in-credit-card-payment-processing?hsLang=en-us) (e.g., integrated into your appointment calendar so people can book and pay directly from your site).  As you research potential payment processing solutions for your business, download our fact sheet "*What Is Payment Processing?" *At a glance, you can understand the fundamentals of payment processing and all the parties involved.  [Improve Cash Flow](https://www.gosite.com/blog/tag/improve-cash-flow) ![Comment](https://www.gosite.com/hubfs/bubbles-chat.svg) 1 Comment ![GoSite](https://www.gosite.com/hubfs/gositelogo.png) GoSite ![GoSite-2-1](https://www.gosite.com/hubfs/Imported%20images/GoSite-2-1.svg) Does Your Business Need a Website? [ GET STARTED ](https://www.gosite.com/getfoundonline?utm_source=Blog720&utm_campaign=Website&hsLang=en-us) ![Group 12 (2) (1) (1)](https://www.gosite.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%2012%20(2)%20(1)%20(1).png?width=340&name=Group%2012%20(2)%20(1)%20(1).png "Group 12 (2) (1) (1)") ### Keep Reading [![break even calculator for landscaping businesses](https://www.gosite.com/hubfs/landscaper%20break%20even%20calculator.jpg "break even calculator for landscaping businesses") ](https://www.gosite.com/blog/break-even-calculator-for-landscaping-businesses?hsLang=en-us) [Improve Cash Flow](https://www.gosite.com/blog/tag/improve-cash-flow) ## [Break-Even Calculator for Landscaping Businesses](https://www.gosite.com/blog/break-even-calculator-for-landscaping-businesses?hsLang=en-us) No matter how much you love mowing yards and revitalizing properties, you didn't go into the landscaping business to go ... Aug 09, 2023 3 min read [![Break-Even Calculator for Cleaning Businesses](https://www.gosite.com/hubfs/2023%20Blogs/Break-Even%20Calculator%20for%20Cleaning%20Businesses/Break-Even%20Calculator%20for%20Cleaning%20Businesses.jpg "Break-Even Calculator for Cleaning Businesses") ](https://www.gosite.com/blog/break-even-calculator-for-cleaning-businesses?hsLang=en-us) [Improve Cash Flow](https://www.gosite.com/blog/tag/improve-cash-flow) ## [Break-Even Calculator for Cleaning Businesses](https://www.gosite.com/blog/break-even-calculator-for-cleaning-businesses?hsLang=en-us) Imagine that you've started your own business providing clean and organized spaces. You're working hard and investing ... Jul 12, 2023 3 min read [![Illustration of two cleaners, template and a calculator. ](https://www.gosite.com/hubfs/2023%20Blogs/How%20To%20Build%20Pro%20Forma%20Statements%20for%20Your%20Home%20Services%20Business/How%20To%20Build%20Pro%20Forma%20Statements%20for%20Your%20Home%20Services%20Business.png "Illustration of two cleaners, template and a calculator. ") ](https://www.gosite.com/blog/pro-forma-statements-home-services-business?hsLang=en-us) [Improve Cash Flow](https://www.gosite.com/blog/tag/improve-cash-flow) ## [How To Build Pro Forma Statements for Your Home Services ...](https://www.gosite.com/blog/pro-forma-statements-home-services-business?hsLang=en-us) Jump To... What Are Pro Forma Financial Statements? | Are Home Services Businesses Profitable? | How To Create a Pro ... Jul 10, 2023 3 min read [ VIEW all articles ](https://www.gosite.com/blog)