Small Business Marketing on a Small Business Budget

I thought I'd change subjects for a second and step away from merchant services and/or credit card processing. Though I'm a blogger and love providing free information on subjects that I'm knowledgeable about, I happen to be an online marketing expert and successful small business entrepreneur.  One thing that I learned over the past 10 years of starting multiple businesses: You need to market your business whether you have $5 or $5 million.  There are many ways to market a business, from offline to online to guerrilla marketing.  I've done it all and I must say that I became an online marketing expert because that is where my own businesses have had success. I have multiple online marketing companies (SEO, display advertising, etc) but Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is my favorite marketing tool for both results and cost-effectiveness.  In fact, the only reason you found this blog or are one of thousands of people who read this blog each month; it's 100% because of SEO. 

Anyway, feel free to contact me anytime with marketing/SEO questions...I'm happy to answer free of charge!  Email me at blakepollack@gmail.com.

The Best Merchant Account For Your Business

As one of the leading merchant services bloggers, I've gone to tremendous lengths to research and find the best merchant services companies for different types of businesses.  If you want to know who I think is the best credit card processing company for your business, fill out the form below with some brief info on your business and I'll let you know who I think is the best!

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The Interesting Relationship Between this Merchant Services Blog, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and the Success of Small Businesses

I've always been interested in Small Businesses and making them successful.  I've started more than 10 successful businesses that now make 6 and 7 figures, and I came to realize that one of the most important aspects of a small business is being able to market the business on a tight budget.  Trying numerous tactics over the past 10 years, I came across Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - A business that is over-saturated (like most industries, including merchant services).  SEO can be an expensive marketing tool or it can be an inexpensive marketing tool, depending on how much trial and error you go through to find a good company.  When I first tried SEO on my own business, I knew that if I really could get to the top of Google for certain keywords, I would get a lot of people interested in my company (after all, I search for things that I'm interested in through Google).  The problem was finding a good company.  I almost gave up after using numerous SEO companies and spending thousands of dollars with no results...I realized that there were really only 10 spots on the first page of Google and with thousands of SEO companies, they couldn't all be doing a good job.  Finally, I was recommended to a company and gave it one last try.  It worked!!!  I got my business to the top of Google and started receiving calls the day it went to page 1.

Fast forward 3 years and now I run one of the most successful SEO companies in Los Angeles.  I found out how to get to the 1st page of Google at a reasonable cost.  I figured there had to be thousands of companies like me that had spent millions of dollars on SEO with no results....I had to find a way to show other businesses that it really could work, which is when I started LA SEO Services. Now, I could show other businesses how SEO can work. But there was one major problem, with the over-saturated SEO industry, I had to gain small business owner's trust before I could show them SEO works...

You probably found this blog through a search engine, and in particular Google.  Is it starting to make sense?  I took one of the most competitive markets (merchant services) and got to the top of Google for 2 reasons:

1. So I give my input on merchant services, as I used to work in the industry and know the ins and outs.
2. To show other businesses that SEO does work and there are companies that can really make it happen (if you're reading this, then SEO works).

Anyway, without spending too much of your time, I'd love to show you how SEO can work for your business so I am making an offer to all my readers of this blog:  Mention you found me through my merchant services blog and I'll give you 50% off SEO services...this way, you can try SEO out at a reasonable cost and see how it works.  Most of our clients see an increase in traffic of over 100% within 3 months of using our SEO services.

You can email me at blakepollack@gmail.com for more info OR check out one of my 2 SEO companies: pollackseo.com and laseoservice.com. Remember to mention that you found me through this blog and I will discount the rate 50%!

Are you looking for a more complete solution to help grow your business? I also offer business consulting at $250 per hour.  We can tackle everything from sales and customer service to finance and corporate culture. I have a 95% success rate of increasing profits for over 100 businesses.  Whether you have 5 employees or 5,000 employees, there are important fundamentals that all businesses need to be successful...no school can teach you them; only mistakes, experience and hard work can teach you how to run a profitable, successful business!

Between these 2 services (SEO and Small Business Consulting), I am positive I will increase anyone's business as I have done so many times before. Anyway, feel free to contact me at blakepollack@gmail.com for any questions, comments, concerns or anything else you can think of.

Businesses That Accept Credit Cards Experience Major Increases in Sales

Today, there are many payment processing options available for business owners, such as credit card machines (Point of Sale-POS), wireless credit card machines and various mobile phone payment options.

Recent studies have shown businesses which accept credit card payments experience an upsurge in sales almost instantly. Studies also show that credit card holders are more likely to buy from a business that accepts credit cards than one that does not.

Here are a few reasons to offer credit card payments as a payment option for your customers:

Attract impulse buyers.

Consumers are more likely to make impulse purchases with their credit cards. They also love using credit cards because they can earn cash awards and bonus points from their credit card provider.

Accepting credit cards builds credibility.

Experts suggest when business owners advertise the major credit card logo at their place of business or website, it builds the consumers trust. In addition, statistics show that more than 90 percent of Internet purchases are made with major credit cards. If your business does not accept credit cards, you're losing money.

Receive money from your customers instantly.

When a business accepts credit cards, it can improve cash flow. When your customers purchase your products or services, the funds from the credit card sale are immediately transferred to your bank account. With a credit card machine, you no longer have to wait a long time for a check to clear before receiving money.

It’s affordable.

The days of paying expensive merchant account fees are long gone. Credit card processing fees are very inexpensive. They’re so inexpensive that a start-up business on a shoe-string budget can afford to accept credit cards.

Increase orders.

Customers are more likely to make recurring payments than they would with other forms of payments.

Fast and easy set up.

The overall set up process is very easy. Depending on the merchant account provider, you can be up and running within 1-2 days.

Today, there is really no good excuse for not accepting credit cards. Your customers will expect you to accept credit cards. If your competition is accepting credit card payments and you're not, will lose potential profits.    

To learn more about credit card processing and merchant account services, feel free to contact me at: blakepollack@gmail.com

3 Vital Things to Look For in a Credit Card Processing Merchant Account Provider

Whether you own a business and you’re looking for a better merchant account or you’re a start-up, credit card processing will make your life a lot easier. Before choosing a merchant account, make sure you look for the following:

1. Merchant Account Services

Choose a merchant account service that offers you an assortment of credit card processing services.  A good merchant account service will specialize in a variety of services including E-commerce Merchant Accounts, mail order merchant accounts and even mobile Credit Card Processing for Wireless Merchant Accounts. Additionally, a good merchant account service will offer customers the best system that will include real-time account access, software terminal integration and payment gateways.

2. Customer Service & Support  - 24/7

Behind every good company is a good customer service and support team.  There comes a time in every small business owner's life that he or she will need to contact customer support.  It is vital that you choose a credit card processing merchant that has a good customer support team.  Being able to take credit card orders is the life blood of your business. If you can't process credit card orders - you basically don't have a business. If your products or services are in high demand and your potential customers are unable to make purchases, they will more than likely go with one of your competitors.

Before signing up with any merchant provider, make sure they provide customer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  You may want to even place a test call during after hours and check to see if anyone answers your call. A customer support department should cover three separate areas:

●      Technical support

●      Account services

●      Sales

A reliable merchant account service will provide you with more than way of contacting them, such as by phone and email. Some will offer support through chat. Avoid any company that charges a fee for customer support.  Customer support should always be for free.

3. Fees

If you want to avoid any surprises, such as sudden spikes in your bill, make sure the merchant account provider clearly states their fees.  You should know 'exactly' what your charges are going to be.  Also check their contract terms, some providers may charge a termination fee if you decide to cancel service.

Often times, many entrepreneurs will blindly choose a provider based solely on cheap fees. Remember, just because a merchant account provider charges the cheapest rate in town doesn't mean there aren't other fees involved. Make sure you conduct further research before selecting a merchant provider. The goal should be to find an affordable merchant account service provider that provides affordable rates along with exceptional customer service.

To learn more about credit card processing and merchant account services, feel free to contact me at: blakepollack@gmail.com

Give Your Business a Boost with a Point-of-Sale Credit Card Machine

Some experts will suggest that if your business earns more than $250,000 in annual sales, you should invest in a Point-of-Sale (POS) credit card machine. However, in today’s competitive business world, it is highly suggested that you have access to a credit card machine even if you barely make the 250k mark. Whether your company has annual sales of 50k, 150k or 200k, having access to a credit card machine can be a great asset to your business.

Is Having a Point of Sale Credit Card Machine Overrated?

Often times, many business owners will only use online merchant payment gateways like PayPal or Google Checkout.  These online payment systems are great for small-sized businesses.  However, if you want your clients to take your business seriously, you need to be able to accept credit card payments.

Not all of your clients will want to use PayPal or Google Checkout to process their payments. Lets say a client wants to place a large order. Having a POS credit card machine is a lot faster.  There’s no waiting for a client to sign-up for a PayPal account or waiting for them to click onto a PayPal checkout link to submit a payment.  

Credit Card Machines are Perfect for Trade Shows & Conferences

Imagine what life would be like if you attended a trade show or conference and you had access to an efficient and robust POS system?  All you would need is the person’s credit card and that’s all. No submitting invoices and other inconvenient payment processing steps.  You can even accept credit card payments with your iPhone. 

Feel free to contact me any time at blakepollack@gmail.com

Small Business Credit Card Processing: Is Not Accepting Credit Cards Hurting Your Business?

It is amazing how there are several businesses out there that still do not accept credit cards. Every business that sells products/services (regardless of size) should accept (all) major credit cards, especially restaurants and retail store owners.  Additionally, if you own a business that processes recurring payments or monthly subscription fees, you will need to have some form of credit card processing.

I remember wanting to place a large food order at a popular delicatessen but they did not accept credit card payments. So, I had to lose my spot on line to use their ATM. I was not too thrilled about the $2.50 ATM fee.  If I wasn’t so famished, I would have left to go to their competitor up the street.

Why won’t some businesses accept credit cards?  Some business owners immediately assume that having a credit card terminal or credit card machine will cost a fortune. In reality, they are actually losing money by not accepting credit card payments.

A decade ago, a business may have been able to squeak by without accepting credit cards. Today, there is no excuse for not providing credit card processing for your customers. Even the Girl Scouts now accepts credit card payments via iPhone. If you can buy ‘Thin Mints’ with your credit card every business should accept credit card payments.

Dispelling the Myth That Credit Card Processing Is Expensive

Contrary to popular belief, small business credit card processing is not expensive. You don’t have to spend a fortune on credit card processing. There are a few good merchant account services that charge low rates.  Depending on the credit card processing provider you choose, there is usually a low set-up fee and you can even get a free credit card terminal. Make sure you conduct a little research and compare fees so you can get the best deal possible.

When you think about the enormous population of consumers that use credit cards online and offline, you can see it’s a worthwhile investment. According to financial experts, there are approximately 609.8 million credit cards held by consumers in the United States.

It is important to realize that your consumers want to make their lives as simple as possible. Using a credit card to make a purchase automatically makes their shopping experience a breeze.   

I Have PayPal & Google Checkout Do I Still Need Credit Card Processing?

If you own an eCommerce business or you own a service based business, you should strongly consider getting credit card processing in addition to PayPal or Google Checkout. Although these online merchant services offer great payment options, not every customer you come in contact with will have (or want) to use these payment gateways. This is why having a credit card terminal or credit card processing machine is essential to the success of your business.

By the way: My favorite deli now accepts credit card payments. However, an order must be well over $10 for them to swipe your card.  They’re getting there - slowly but surely!

Feel free to contact me any time at blakepollack@gmail.com