May 20, 2016
Point of sale
Virtual Terminal — How to Accept Payments with Just an Internet Connection & a Browser!
A virtual terminal or a virtual POS terminal is a safe and secure website (web version of credit card terminal) used by merchants to process electronic check payments and credit cards. It uses a computer and a reliable internet connection, which means it is free from the need of having separate hardware and a phone line to process the payments. Accepting, conveying, and storing the credit card data is the sole responsibility of merchant virtual terminal. This is important as it ensures that PCI (Payment Card Industry) responsibilities are handled by the merchant warrior.
Table of Contents —
Benefits of Virtual Terminal —
Many outstanding features are offered by it. Have a look at the mentioned points for a clear picture:
- No need for any extra hardware
- Integration is not necessary
- Multi-currency is fully supported
- Simple and intuitive user interface with minimal data entry
- Is accessible from any computer which has internet connectivity
- No need to purchase an SSL certificate
- Multiple staff can use the terminal at once without any hassle
- Choose to restrict specific IP addresses
- 24/7 technical support access
- Fast access to funds
- Extends business services to a wider customer base and boosts revenue
- Automated error checking and high-risk transaction filtering
How does it work?
Let’s sum it up in these easy steps:
- Customer passes his/her credit card details to the merchant, i.e. you, on the phone, through fax or by email.
- You enter those details and product information into the virtual terminal.
- Payment is reviewed and the transaction is processed as soon as ‘submit’ is clicked.
- The outcome of the transaction depicting where the transaction is approved or declined is displayed on the virtual terminal.
Who is suitable to use the virtual terminal?
This is a very smart question, as you must know how beneficial these terminals can be for your business. Check out the answer for the same, below:
- Any business or merchant, whose order volume allows entering
each order manually
- Businesses such as newspapers & magazines, trade shows, insurance companies, and charities
- Small businesses that do not have an online order form
- Telephone order and mail companies that have multiple call center users
Virtual Terminal is not for you if —
- You have programming or scripting skills
- Your website is set up with a shopping cart
- You require wide customization of your order form
- You share order data with a fulfilments house
- Your orders are more than you can enter by hand
Merchants who are interested in manually verifying customer information before processing the payments mostly benefit from these. It is a simple & easy solution to accept and process manual payments. This way, merchants can avoid extra development costs, as integration is not a necessity here. Get started with this legal, quick, and secure mode of accepting payments now. It’s all about logging in to your account, entering customer details, and processing payments, after all.
Conclusion —
A virtual terminal is a simple, secure solution for businesses that need to process credit card and eCheck payments without hardware, integrations, or technical complexity. It is especially useful for US merchants handling phone, mail, or manual transactions who want full control over payment processing. Paycron’s virtual terminal offers built-in security, PCI compliance support, multi-user access, and fast access to funds—all through an easy-to-use web-based platform. For businesses looking to reduce costs, simplify operations, and accept payments securely, a virtual terminal remains a practical and reliable choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) —
1. What is a virtual terminal?
A virtual terminal is a secure web-based payment tool that lets merchants process eChecks manually using a computer and an internet connection.
2. How does Paycron’s virtual terminal work?
You log in, enter customer and payment details, submit the transaction, and receive an instant approval or decline.
3. Is a virtual terminal secure for payment processing?
Yes. Paycron’s virtual terminal securely handles payment data and helps merchants meet PCI compliance requirements.
4. What payment types can I accept with a Paycron virtual terminal?
You can accept electronic check (eCheck) payments.
5. Do I need hardware or software to use a virtual terminal?
No. Paycron’s virtual terminal works entirely online and does not require hardware, software installation, or phone lines.
6. Who should use a virtual terminal?
It’s ideal for US businesses that accept phone, mail, or manual orders and want a simple way to process payments.
7. Can multiple employees use the virtual terminal?
Yes. Multiple staff members can securely access the Paycron virtual terminal at the same time.
8. Do I need an SSL certificate to use Paycron’s virtual terminal?
No. Paycron provides a secure environment, so you don’t need to purchase a separate SSL certificate.
9. When is a virtual terminal not recommended?
It may not be suitable for businesses with high transaction volumes, shopping carts, or advanced customization needs.
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