Payment Processing

Questionable Merchant Audit Program (QMAP): Complete Guide PUBLISHED ON: August 10, 2026 WRITTEN BY: Jessica Velasco REVIEWED BY: Editorial board On 28 July 2026, Mastercard announced a new strategy for managing risk — including a revision of the Questionable Merchant Audit Program (QMAP). In this article, you’ll find a detailed…

The Ultimate Guide to Payment Authorisation PUBLISHED ON: July 10, 2026 WRITTEN BY: Jessica Velasco REVIEWED BY: Editorial board Payment authorisation plays a huge role in the transaction lifecycle — from chargeback management to revenue optimisation. Understanding how the authorisation process works will help you make more informed decisions about…

My Shopify Store Got Shut Down. What Happens Now? PUBLISHED ON: June 24, 2026 WRITTEN BY: Jessica Velasco REVIEWED BY: Editorial board You never thought it would happen to you, but it did. You got the dreaded Shopify account closure email stating that your store would be shut down. No…

Acquirers vs. Issuers: What Are the Differences? PUBLISHED ON: April 6, 2026 WRITTEN BY: Jessica Velasco REVIEWED BY: Editorial board Acquiring banks and issuing banks serve different roles in the payment processing ecosystem. Each one has distinct goals and responsibilities that ensure transactions are processed safely and efficiently. OVERVIEW Issuing…

Chargeback Facts vs. Fiction: Don’t Fall for These 10 Myths PUBLISHED ON: March 13, 2026 WRITTEN BY: Jessica Velasco REVIEWED BY: Editorial board Chargeback management is a complex, confusing task. It is not uncommon for myths to start circulating amongst merchants, tempting you to alter your strategy in ways you…

How to Protect Your Merchant Account from Closure PUBLISHED ON: March 10, 2026 WRITTEN BY: Jessica Velasco REVIEWED BY: Editorial board Merchant accounts are valuable business assets. They can be difficult to obtain and easy to lose. Here’s what you need to know about account closures — and how to…

How to Apply for a Merchant Account — And Get Approved! PUBLISHED ON: March 2, 2026 WRITTEN BY: Jessica Velasco REVIEWED BY: Editorial board Does your business need a merchant account? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a merchant account, get approved, and maintain it as your…

How to Lower Credit Card Processing Fees PUBLISHED ON: December 8, 2025 WRITTEN BY: Jessica Velasco REVIEWED BY: Editorial board Credit card processing fees are an unavoidable reality for online businesses. But that doesn’t mean you have to sit back and watch your margins shrink more and more each day.…

Interchange Fees for Credit & Debit Card Transactions: A Complete Guide PUBLISHED ON: November 5, 2025 WRITTEN BY: Jessica Velasco REVIEWED BY: Editorial board What is interchange? Interchange is just one of the many fees you have to pay as part of your payment processing strategy. Understanding interchange fees is…