© 2012 by Bart Smith, TheMarketingMan.com & Founder of MyMarketingCart.com, MyTrainingCenter.com, ReallyCheapNames.com & MyPaymentServices.com

A merchant account is a financial transaction account, which enables you to accept credit cards, debit cards, gift cards and other forms of electronic payment from your clients and customers. The activity of accepting and charging credit cards is also known as credit card processing.

A merchant account, when you get one, is linked to your bank account. When someone buys (online or offline) from you using their credit card, the merchant account transfers the money from the customer to your bank account, typically within 3 business days.

With your own merchant account, you can accept credit card payments:

	Through your web site …
	Over the telephone …
	Live, in-person at your office or other location …

Apply online today, through MyPaymentServices.com, and start accepting credit card payments from your clients and customers with your own merchant account. The online application is quick and easy, and takes only a few minutes.