How to Accept Echecks

A business that is able to accept eChecks enables online customers to authorize funds to be withdrawn from a bank account by submitting the bank account's routing and bank account numbers. It is a fast and low-risk way to accept payments online.

Instructions

1. Choose a payment gateway service that offers the ability to accept echecks. A few of the more popular gateways are: Google Checkout, Paypal Payflow Pro, VeriSign, and Authorize.net. Search for reviews for each of these gateways (and any other gateway services you find) and make sure you understand each product and its capabilities before you commit to one. Choosing a gateway that is well-know and reputable will help generate trust and confidence from potential customers.

2. Make sure you provide a secure form for your customers to use to enter their banking information. Even if you accept echecks, potential customers will be hesitant to submit sensitive information to a website that they do not believe is secure. Make sure that your payment gateway uses SSL encryption, and get a valid security certificate for your website.

3. Design a website that has a professional appearance. This will help your customers FEEL safe in addition to BEING safe. Your site may be perfectly safe, certified, secure, and encrypted, but if the interface feels like a scam, none of that will matter. Hire a good graphic designer, and do some research on how people respond to colors, layouts, and other factors that influence the look and feel of a website.

Tips & Warnings

• The echeck payment option is a good option to provide your online customers, but it's not the only one. Customers will also want to use credit cards, debit cards, paypal accounts, and other methods of payment. Make sure you cater to as many of your potential customers as possible by offering multiple payment options.