What You Need to Know about EMV as a Merchant

Merchant services have begun utilizing credit card machines that have small inserts at the base for new credit cards. Customers in the US are familiar with the magnetic strip, but a new kind of security standard called “Europay, Mastercard, Visa” (or EMV) is here to stay. Compliance isn’t a requirement for every business, but it certainly helps to get on board now while it’s optional.

What Makes EMV Secure

When a merchant account processes payments, it reads the payment data from the customer’s card. In the past, this data came from a magnetic strip that was easy to hack. EMV creates a special transaction number to authorize the payment, so when thieves try to steal that information they end up with a unique identifier that won’t function outside of that transaction.

Experts hope this will help customers and retailers avoid fraud.

Using EMV

There are two steps to small business credit card processing with EMV cards. The customer will insert his or her EMV card into the terminal, where a brief processing period authorizes the transaction. Data flows from the card to the merchant processor, which helps to verify the transaction and payment details. These transactions do take a bit more time to process, but the safety is worth the wait.

Final Thoughts

There is no way to completely stop fraud in its tracks, but we can take steps to dramatically reduce instances of it occurring. A user’s card may still be used if his wallet is stolen, for instance, but cutting instances where fraud can occur is important to everyone.

For six years running, Charge.com Payment Solutions, Inc. has been voted the most affordable and simple merchant account online.

Published by: 0

Ways to market a small business for less than $100

For small businesses, making sure your marketing investments pay off is vital. Here are some marketing strategies that will cost you $100 or less while providing you with a good return on investment.

Research your market (cost: $0) – If you identify who your ideal buyer is, you will be more likely to understand how best to market to them. Understand gaps in the marketplace and how best you can advertise in them. This will also involve analyzing your competitors and how they target their consumers.

Turn email into your heavy hitter (Cost: From $20 to 50 per month – up to 5,000 contacts) – Email marketing works well for businesses and startups. It is the preferred communication method for many consumers as they are given the time to understand what product or service which is being sold.

Faster hosting for your website (Cost: $9 per month) – Since most consumers do research on what they intend to buy online; you should ensure that your audiences are engaged and intrigued for longer on your website. Do this by providing quick and easy access to visitors to your website. Your website should also be able to automatically detect what type of device your consumers are using and amend the format automatically.

Be strategically social (Cost: $41-71 per month) – For example, a sponsored post on Facebook or LinkedIn will only cost you $41. These forms of advertising will help to target consumers who will be more likely to buy your product or service.

 

Published by: 0

Crafty Subject Lines Can Improve Your Lead Generation

When working on your email marketing tactics, consider optimizing your subject lines.

Emails that have been segmented tend to garner a higher performance versus ones that aren’t. One can expect to see a higher open rate and click through rate with the use of personalization. According to various studies, segmented and targeted emails generate more than half of all revenue for the marketers that were surveyed, and over 30% of revenues were driven by the personalized emails sent. Now, this isn’t surprising due to the face that segmented emails provide a subject line that is catered to the consumer – meaning they feel like a person rather than a number in an email.

Clear, Concise, and Catchy…

When writing a subject line, you should always prioritize clarity. Furthermore, you should also consider the catchiness of your content. However, never sacrifice clarity for the entertainment value. Not only can this harm your marketing campaign, but it can also put you in a bind where you lose subscriptions.

When you’re crafting your subject line, you’re going to want to create something that essentially will stand out to your consumer base. This could be something that is both eye-popping but informative at the same time. You want to let your reader know that what they’re about to open is worth their time – even if it’s just enough for them to simply open the email. By focusing on mastering this technique, you will be able to create subject lines that help your clickthrough and open rates.

eTargetMedia can help you with all your email marketing needs. If you are in need of a premiere email list, visit eTargetmedia online today and inquire about their elite services.

Published by: 0

6 Sources of business financing

Baker in Shop Doorway

Baker in Shop Doorway

The way you finance your business, can have a substantial impact on your business’s success or failure. It is a good idea to have a number of different financial sources to gather capital because financing this way can save you money and prevent bankruptcy. Here are 6 sources of business financing that will help you get the funds you need to start your business.

Angel equity – If you are looking to get your company started it is a good idea to look for an industry executive who is interested in investing. On top of the capital investment, you can benefit from the advice and networking opportunities that an investor can bring.

Smart leases – Leasing a fixed asset is a good way save your cash for working capital.

Bank loans – Banks will provide provide short-, mid- or long-term financing. They can also finance different business needs from capital, equipment or real estate.

Local and state economic development organizations – These institutions provide low interest rates, compared with a bank. In some cases development organizations will provide extended terms to assist payment.

Customers – Advance payments from customers, can assit you to keep your business growing. This is possible when you have a strong relationship with your customers and when they truly believe in your product or service.

Friends and family members – Your loved ones will be the most willing to offer you business support. Just remember to be clear on the terms of interest and the repayment period.

 

Published by: 0

Subject Lines Can Make or Break a Sale

Take some time to create amazing subject lines to increase your open rates.

The subject line of an email is the first thing that your recipients are going to see. This is why crafting a witty and interesting subject is an important first step when it comes to your email marketing campaigns. Remember, if your prospective buyers overlook your email due to a poor subject line, then your lead generation will undoubtedly suffer. To sum it up, ensure that your subject lines are eye-popping and will catch the eye of the reader.

Incorporate Personalization

Personalizing your subject line may sound like a difficult thing to do, because it actually isn’t. Various companies send you email on a regular basis. Have you noticed that they personalize emails based on your interests and likes? They also use your name or surname within the email. This will immediately catch your attention as you at least take the time to browse through the email. Apply this when you’re looking to showcase a new product or service. By simply stating their name and a short phrase in the subject line, you might reel the consumer in to reading the content of the email. This strategy has helped thousands of businesses with lead generation and it can do the same for you.

Mix and Match With Other Tactics

You’ve worked hard enough on your subject line only to fall flat when it comes to the content of your email. It’s crucial that you match the urgency that you placed into your subject towards the content within the email. By doing so, you’ll improve your overall open rates as well as your reputation.

eTargetMedia offers targeted postal and email lists along with creative services. eTargetMedia can help customers develop HTML email campaigns for your business as well.

Published by: 0

You should get a safe if you deal in cash

For those who are looking to buy a safe in the near future, the obvious question comes to mind as to whether or not a large safe is more secure than a small safe. The answer to this question is, obtusely, yes and no.

High security safes come in all sizes. So long as you are willing to pay for a safe that is difficult to break in to, that is a good start. Now, large safes are difficult to conceal, which means that a potential robber is more likely to know where your safe is. Smaller safes, on the other hand, are more easily concealed.

Continue reading

Published by: 0

Why use a digital marketing agency

These days, many California business owners are seeking strategies that will help them enhance their bottom line and build their customer base. One of the best ways to realize this objective is by hiring a California internet marketing company. Digital advertising professionals can provide you with a wide range of services that enhance your visibility and conversion rates in the online sector. Some of them include:

Continue reading

Published by: 0

Images Can Completely Change the Face of an Email

A powerfully optimized email can grab the attention of a viewer instantly. With a well-crafted subject line and a brilliant call to action, you can be significantly increasing your lead generation.

Using Imagery

Utilizing images in emails is an effective way to grab the interest of your reader. Within the first few seconds of glancing over your email, they’ll decide whether or not they’re going to want to continue pressing forward into the depth of your content. A strong image will entice the reader and practically force them to read more.

Continue reading

Published by: 0

An Inside Look on How Effective Leadership Impacts Success

Revolutionize your business by becoming a leader that’s going above and beyond the call of duty.

If work situations and difficulties are holding you back from being what you consider to be a “good” leader? You’re not alone. Millions of individuals are still honing their craft at being a truly inspirational figure at their workplace.

By developing your current skills and adding more techniques to your arsenal, you’ll begin to impact your company’s success in many ways. Richard Davis, Chief Financial Officer of Rogers & Cowan, understands that being an effective team leader can be challenging for many. According to Richard Davis, team building is an “intricate puzzle that requires both time and patience”.

Continue reading

Published by: 0

Benefits of having a B2B portal

B2B (business to business) model is still evolving. The current format of B2B includes many types of products, services and information exchanges. They are primarily exchanging with others except the consumer.

One of the proven and result producing B2B strategy is the company Website. In this case, instead of targeting with the end consumer, these company Websites are aimed at attracting other companies and their employees. Unlike consumer Website, many of these company Websites aimed at other companies and their employees that may require prior registration and authorization to use it. Some even call them as trading portals.

Continue reading

Published by: 0