If you are looking for a credit card processor that is compatible with your shopping cart software, there is no need to worry.  There are several types of companies and businesses that you can rely on for a credit card processor.  Here are 5 places you can find a credit card processor.

1. Bank
A merchant bank should be your first place you contact about a credit card processor.  There are a number of benefits you can get from going to the bank over other companies and businesses.  Many banks will offer service packages for businesses that include merchant services.  The one downside to going to the bank is that they do not process credit card transactions themselves.

2. Financial service provider
Many of the credit card companies offer ways for you to get a credit card processor, but make sure you look into further details regarding their rules and regulations.  For example, MasterCard and Visa require you to set up a merchant account through an intermediary.  American Express and Discover are more lenient, as they give you the option to apply directly to them.

3. Third Party
Perhaps the most common place to look for a credit card processor, third party credit card processors handles all of your needs.  They do everything associated with the transaction process such as authorization, billing, reporting and settlement.  It is because of all the services that third parties do for people that make this place one of the most popular methods.

4. Independent Sales Organization
Independent sales organizations, also known as ISOs, are registered credit card merchant brokers.  Their job is to represent one or more third party credit card processors.  It is crucial that you look closely at each ISO because there are several things that go along with them.  They tend to be less regulated the way banks are, so it is important that you’re careful when evaluating potential suppliers.  They are also less selective than banks.  It has its positive and negative features, but it is still a reliable place to look for a credit card processor.

There are several places you can go about looking for a credit card processor, but these are some of the most common places. Just make sure that whichever ecommerce shopping cart solution you go with will be easily adapted to work with your Gateway. Whether the ecommerce platform is in PHP or ASP or MYSQL should not really matter. There is nothing wrong with comparing prices and calling around to decipher one place from another to make the right decision for your business.