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Virtual Terminal Payment Processing: What Is It & How Does It Work?

Virtual Terminal Payment Processing: What Is It & How Does It Work?

A Virtual Terminal lets businesses process payments remotely via phone, email, or in-person. Learn how and get started with secure payment processing today!

Did you know nearly 60% of Americans prefer paying with mobile devices or online? This shows how important flexible payment options are today. A virtual terminal is a web-based system that lets businesses process payments from anywhere. It's perfect for handling payments over the phone, via email, or at different locations.

Using a virtual terminal makes accepting payments easy and efficient. It's great for businesses in many fields, like food, retail, freelancing, or services. Adding a virtual terminal to your payment system can open up more ways to take payments. This helps you stay ahead in today's fast market.

Key Takeaways

  • A virtual terminal enables businesses to process payments remotely, accommodating various transaction methods.
  • Industries from food delivery to service-based businesses can greatly benefit from using a virtual terminal.
  • The average monthly fee for a virtual terminal is between $10-$30, with per-transaction fees ranging from $0.05-$0.15.
  • Implementing a virtual terminal requires no extra hardware, making it an accessible solution for all business sizes.
  • Security remains a vital concern, as manual input of payment details can lead to risks not found in direct transactions.

What Is a Virtual Terminal?

A virtual terminal is software that lets businesses process payments online without physical devices. It allows entering card info manually, making transactions possible from anywhere. This flexibility is a big plus, especially for businesses that need to accept payments on the go.

More and more businesses are using virtual terminals. Platforms like NMI handle over 1.2 billion transactions each year. It's a top choice for POS alternatives because it works on almost any device with internet.

Virtual terminals support many payment types, including credit and debit cards, eChecks, and ACH. This is great for businesses that handle mail orders, phone sales, or events off-site.

Big names like DepositFix offer top-notch payment processing through their virtual terminals. They help businesses with lots of transactions keep things running smoothly and securely. This also improves the customer experience.

How Does a Virtual Terminal Payment Processing Work?

A virtual terminal is a secure, web-based payment application that allows businesses to process credit and debit card payments without needing a physical card reader. It's commonly used by businesses for taking orders over the phone, by mail, or via online invoices. Here’s a quick overview of how it works:

  1. Log In to the Virtual Terminal: The business owner or employee logs into the virtual terminal software through a computer, tablet, or smartphone with an internet connection.
  2. Enter Customer Information: In the virtual terminal interface, the merchant manually inputs the customer’s payment details, including the card number, expiration date, security code (CVV), billing address, and transaction amount.
  3. Authorize and Process Payment: Once all required information is entered, the merchant submits the transaction for processing. The virtual terminal sends the payment details to the payment processor, which verifies the card details and ensures sufficient funds or credit limit.
  4. Confirmation and Receipts: After the transaction is approved, the virtual terminal notifies the merchant of the successful payment. Some virtual terminals allow receipts to be emailed directly to the customer for their records.
  5. Reporting and Record-Keeping: Virtual terminals often come with reporting features that help businesses track transactions, manage sales records, and generate reports.

Because virtual terminals process payments securely, they meet the PCI compliance standards for handling sensitive payment information. They’re ideal for businesses that don’t handle in-person payments frequently but need a reliable way to process remote transactions.

how does a virtual terminal work

Who Benefits from a Virtual Terminal Merchant Account?

A Virtual Terminal Merchant Account benefits businesses and professionals who need a flexible, reliable way to process payments without a physical card reader. It’s particularly useful for:

Service-Based Businesses

Professionals like course creators, consultants, freelancers, and service providers (e.g., cleaners, tutors, landscapers) can process payments over the phone or by invoice, making it convenient for remote or recurring services.

Nonprofits and Charities

Non Profit organizations that rely on donations over the phone or via mail can use a virtual terminal to easily process contributions from donors who may not have access to a website or prefer phone donations.

B2B Businesses

Companies that work with other businesses and need to invoice clients regularly (e.g., wholesalers, suppliers) find virtual terminals helpful for managing bulk payments or invoice-based transactions without in-person interactions.

Healthcare Providers

Dentists, therapists, and clinics can take patient payments over the phone or after appointments, streamlining the payment process for clients who may not pay in person.

Mail Order and Telephone Order (MOTO) Merchants

Businesses that process a high volume of orders by mail or phone, such as catalog companies, find virtual terminals essential for taking secure payments without needing customers to be physically present.

Independent Contractors and Mobile Vendors

Virtual terminals give flexibility to professionals who work on the go, such as event vendors, repair technicians, or delivery services, allowing them to accept payments remotely.

Remote Sales Teams

Sales professionals working outside a central office can accept payments securely from any location, making it easy to close sales remotely.

A virtual terminal merchant account helps businesses that rely on flexible, card-not-present transactions to operate more efficiently, reduce payment delays, and offer customers multiple ways to pay.

Beneficiary
Description
Service-Based Businesses
Consultants, freelancers, and providers can process payments remotely or by invoice.
Nonprofits and Charities
Easily process donations over the phone or via mail.
B2B Businesses
Ideal for companies invoicing clients for bulk payments.
Healthcare Providers
Streamlines remote patient payments after appointments.
MOTO Merchants
Enables secure payments for mail and phone orders.
Independent Contractors and Mobile Vendors
Allows payments on the go for flexible work environments.
Remote Sales Teams
Enables sales staff to securely close deals remotely.
General Benefit
Useful for businesses needing flexible, card-not-present transactions.

Benefits of Using Virtual Terminals for Payment Processing

Using virtual terminals offers a range of benefits for businesses that process payments remotely or need flexible, card-not-present solutions. Here are the key advantages:

Convenience for Remote Transactions

Virtual terminals make it easy to accept payments over the phone, by mail, or via invoices, eliminating the need for customers to be physically present or to access a website.

No Hardware Required

Virtual terminals don’t require specialized point-of-sale (POS) hardware or card readers. All you need is a device with internet access, such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone, making it a low-cost solution.

Easy Setup and Accessibility

With a virtual terminal, businesses can start processing payments quickly without complex setup or training. The system can be accessed from anywhere with internet access, ideal for mobile vendors and remote sales teams.

Secure Payment Processing

Virtual terminals comply with PCI-DSS standards, ensuring that customer data is securely handled. Most virtual terminal providers also offer security features like encryption and fraud detection to protect transactions.

Flexibility for Different Payment Types

Virtual terminals support credit and debit card payments and may also accommodate other forms of payment, such as ACH (automated clearing house) payments. This makes it a versatile solution for different payment preferences.

Enhanced Customer Experience

Offering a flexible way to pay improves the customer experience, particularly for clients who prefer or need to pay over the phone or by mail. It’s an added convenience for those who may not be comfortable with online payments.

Detailed Reporting and Record-Keeping

Virtual terminals often come with robust reporting features that simplify transaction tracking, accounting, and sales analysis. Businesses can access transaction histories and generate sales reports, which is helpful for record-keeping and financial planning.

Supports Recurring and Invoice Payments

Some virtual terminals allow for recurring billing, enabling businesses to easily process regular payments for subscription services or installment plans. This feature is valuable for businesses that rely on ongoing services or memberships.

Reduced Risk of Payment Errors

With virtual terminals, payment information is manually entered and confirmed, reducing the likelihood of errors compared to a customer self-inputting payment data.

Low-Cost Solution for Small Businesses

Since virtual terminals don’t require the purchase of physical equipment, they’re an affordable payment solution for small businesses and startups that may not need a full POS system.

Virtual terminals provide flexibility, cost savings, and convenience, especially for businesses with remote, on-the-go, or low-volume transaction needs.

benefits of using a virtual terminal

Does Your Business Need a Virtual Terminal?

Deciding if your business needs a virtual terminal depends on your payment needs. Online stores and marketplaces greatly benefit from them. They offer flexibility for remote sales and events.

Businesses that take phone orders or have recurring memberships also gain from virtual terminals. They improve service and customer satisfaction. Plus, they offer convenience to diverse customers, boosting revenue.

Virtual terminals use strong security like encryption and tokenization. This protects customer data, making them essential for businesses handling a lot of data.

When thinking about virtual terminals, consider these points:

  • Payment Methods: They can handle credit, debit, and ACH/eCheck payments.
  • Integration: Check if it fits with your current systems for smooth operations.
  • Ease of Use: A simple interface helps with fast transactions and happy customers.
  • Customer Support: Good support is vital for quick issue resolution.
  • Scalability: Your payment options should grow with your business.

Virtual terminals are cost-effective and don't require extra hardware. DepositFix, for example, lets merchants accept payments anywhere. It meets customer needs for flexible payment options.

The Power of Virtual Terminal Credit Card Processing with DepositFix

If you’re ready to streamline payment processing, DepositFix is the ideal solution for businesses seeking flexible, remote-friendly credit card processing options. With DepositFix’s virtual terminal credit card processing, you can securely accept payments over the phone, by mail, or by invoice—no hardware required!

This user-friendly platform combines advanced features like recurring billing and CRM integration, allowing you to manage and grow your business with ease.

  • Enhanced Efficiency: Faster processing times lead to more revenue.
  • Improved Customer Experience: Fewer issues during checkout means less cart abandonment.
  • Cost Reduction: Less involvement with third parties means lower costs and less fraud risk.
  • Comprehensive Reporting: Better reports help make informed decisions and improve strategies.
  • Security Enhancements: DepositFix includes fraud detection tools for safer transactions.

DepositFix's advanced technology can greatly help your business. It can boost your revenue and make your operations more efficient.

Conclusion

Virtual terminals offer a modern solution for payment processing. They make transactions secure from anywhere, improving customer service. They also work well with management software, boosting business efficiency.

Using a virtual terminal makes payments more flexible. It helps you reach more customers through different sales channels. But, beware about fees and challenges like manual entry, and keep data safe with encryption.

When thinking about your payment strategy, consider virtual terminals. They can help your business grow and work more efficiently. Adopting this technology can set your business up for success in today's fast-paced market.

FAQs

Can a virtual terminal process international payments?

Yes, many virtual terminal providers support international transactions, but this can depend on the payment processor and the customer’s country. Be sure to check if your provider includes this feature and if additional fees apply for cross-border transactions.

Are virtual terminal transactions secure?

Absolutely. Virtual terminals comply with PCI-DSS standards, providing encryption and secure handling of payment data. Some even offer additional fraud detection and prevention tools to protect your business and customers.

Can Invoice Automation Software Integrate with My Existing Financial Systems?

Absolutely, most invoice automation software can integrate with your existing financial systems, such as accounting and ERP software. Check compatibility and ensure seamless data exchange for a unified financial management process.

Can virtual terminals handle refunds and chargebacks?

Yes, most virtual terminals allow businesses to process refunds and manage chargebacks through their interface. Refund times and policies depend on the provider and the nature of the transaction.

Can a virtual terminal be used for recurring billing?

Yes, many virtual terminals support recurring billing, making them ideal for subscription-based services or businesses that rely on repeat payments. This can be set up to automatically charge customers on a set schedule.

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