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Merchant account online

We match your business with payment gateways and acquirers that accept it, prepare the risk file and fix website gaps. The acquirer makes the final decision.

Price
from US$390
Billed
per application
Timing
Timing set by the bank or institution

To take card payments online you need a merchant relationship with an acquirer, either directly or through a payment facilitator such as a gateway. Each one underwrites your business before it lets you process cards.

We review your model, pick the providers most likely to accept it, and prepare what their underwriters look for. Our fee starts at US$390 per application.

The acquirer or payment provider decides whether to approve you, on what terms, and whether to hold a reserve.

What’s included

  • Fit review of gateways and acquirers for your model, markets and currencies
  • Business and product description aligned with the merchant category you will be classed under
  • Website compliance checklist: terms, refund policy, privacy notice, contact details, pricing
  • Processing projections and supporting documents for underwriting
  • Application submission support and follow-up on underwriter questions

Who it is for

  • E-commerce stores selling physical goods across borders
  • SaaS and subscription businesses billing customers in several countries
  • Digital services and online education providers
  • Businesses moved off a gateway after a review and looking for a stable alternative
  • Newly formed companies that need to accept cards before they have processing history

Ask about merchant account online

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How it works

  1. Step 1Model reviewYou tell us what you sell, where your customers are, average order value and expected monthly volume.
  2. Step 2Provider shortlistWe shortlist gateways and acquirers that accept your model and markets, with the trade-offs of each.
  3. Step 3Website and file checkWe review your site against the checklist and prepare the underwriting file.
  4. Step 4Apply and follow upWe support the application and help answer underwriting questions until the provider decides.

Available for

How acquirers decide

An acquirer carries the financial risk of your card transactions. If a customer disputes a charge and you cannot refund, the acquirer may have to cover it. That is why underwriting focuses on how likely disputes are and how much money is at stake at any one time.

Underwriters look at what you sell, how and when you deliver it, your refund terms, your markets and your expected volumes. They also check that the company, its owners and its website tell the same story.

Some business types are classed as higher risk by card schemes and acquirers. That does not always mean a refusal. It can mean a rolling reserve, a longer payout delay or a smaller processing limit at the start.

  • Product and delivery model: physical goods, digital goods, services or subscriptions
  • Refund and cancellation terms shown clearly before checkout
  • Customer markets and currencies
  • Average order value and monthly volume
  • Past chargeback ratio, if you have processed before

What your website needs before you apply

The website is a common cause of delay. Underwriters open your site and look for the same basic items every time. Fixing them before you apply saves a round of questions.

Your site should show the legal company name, a working contact method, clear prices in the currency you charge, and terms that match how you actually deliver. Subscription businesses should state renewal terms and how to cancel.

  • Legal entity name and registered address
  • Terms and conditions, refund and cancellation policy, privacy notice
  • Product pages with prices, currency and delivery times
  • Secure checkout with no card data stored on your own servers unless you are certified to do so

Card data security

The PCI Data Security Standard applies to every business that stores, processes or transmits cardholder data. Acquirers decide how you must show compliance, which often depends on your volume.

Most small merchants reduce the burden by using a hosted checkout or a gateway that tokenises card details, so card numbers never touch their servers. We note which option each provider on your shortlist supports.

Gateway, payment facilitator or direct acquirer

A payment facilitator groups many merchants under one master account. Onboarding is quick, but accounts can be reviewed and frozen with little notice if your activity looks unusual.

A direct merchant account with an acquirer takes longer to open and asks for more documents. In return it usually gives more stable terms once approved. Growing businesses often use both: a facilitator to start and a direct account as volumes rise.

After approval: keeping the account healthy

Approval is based on the business you described. If you add new product lines, sell into new countries or see volumes jump, tell the provider first. Sudden changes that do not match the application are a common reason for payouts being held.

Watch your dispute rate. Card schemes run monitoring programmes for merchants with high chargeback levels, and acquirers act well before those levels are reached. Clear billing descriptors, fast refunds and good delivery tracking keep disputes down.

Keep your documents current as well. Providers review merchants periodically and may ask for updated company records, bank statements or proof of fulfilment.

  • Tell the provider before changing products, markets or volumes
  • Use a billing descriptor customers recognise
  • Refund quickly when a customer asks, before they dispute

Merchant account online, FAQ

Will my merchant account definitely be approved?
No. The acquirer or payment provider decides after its own underwriting. We improve the odds by choosing providers that accept your model and by fixing gaps before you apply.
What is a rolling reserve?
It is a share of each payout that the acquirer holds for a set period to cover possible chargebacks. The amount and period are set by the acquirer and are often reduced once you build a clean history.
Do I need a local company to accept cards in a market?
Not always. Many providers onboard companies incorporated elsewhere, but each lists the countries it supports. Some local payment methods do require a local entity, which we flag during the fit review.
What is an MCC and why does it matter?
An MCC (merchant category code) classifies what you sell. It affects which providers accept you, your pricing and your risk rating, so your description must match what your site actually offers.
My gateway closed my account. Can I still apply elsewhere?
Often yes, but you must disclose it honestly. We look at why it happened, fix the cause where possible and approach providers that consider merchants with a past closure.
Do I need a business bank account first?
Usually yes. Payouts go to an account in the company's name. If you do not have one yet, our business account service can run alongside this application.
Do I have to be PCI compliant?
Every merchant that handles card data falls under PCI DSS. Using a hosted checkout keeps your scope small, and the acquirer tells you which self-assessment to complete.

Sources

General information, not legal or tax advice. Your specialist confirms current rules and fees in your quote.

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Next step

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