In order to accept credit cards, debit cards and electronic checks through your web site, you should be aware of the following eCommerce Basics.Typically, what you need to set up eCommerce on your website is a Custom Designed Web Site, Shopping Cart Program, and an Internet Merchant Account which usually includes a Payment Gateway.

A Shopping Cart Program is the code your website uses to keep track of what your shopper wants to buy and then sends the sales totals to your Payment Gateway.

A Payment Gateway Account is the credit card processor that provides you with a secure bridge between your e-commerce website and your Merchant Account. Authorize.net and Linkpoint Connect are just two examples.

Why Do Internet Payment Gateway Providers Exist?
They exist because credit card processors will not allow individual merchants to access their systems through the Internet. They do not permit this because of security issues. Credit card processors only permit companies that have "certified" their software to access their systems. In this way, credit card processors are able to make sure only a few certified [and therefore trusted] companies have access to their systems via the Internet.

An Internet Merchant Account is a type of bank account that allows a business to accept credit cards as a form of payment for online transactions. These accounts manage the flow of money from your customer's individual credit card accounts into your business account. Your current bank may offer this service. Card Service International offer this service ( www.cardserviceinternational.com ).

What is a Virtual Terminal?
A Virtual Terminal performs all the functions of a physical credit card/check processing box, conveniently accessed over the Internet through a secure web page interface.

What Can You Do with a Virtual Terminal / Payment Gateway?
First, you can use the Virtual Terminal to perform all the same functions of a physical credit card terminal, conveniently accessed over the Internet through a secure web-page interface. You will be able to manually process credit card transactions, issue credits, void transactions, view your online log file. really manage your Internet-Based business. from any computer in the world.