Credit card processing for growing businesses

In the U.S., 77% of adults have at least one credit card. In Asia, credit card transaction value is growing at an annual rate of 7.4%, and that’s expected to continue through 2025. This means wherever your business is, it is clear that there is a demand for credit card payments.

When you don’t support how customers prefer to pay, you risk losing sales or slowing down your business. This guide walks through what you’ll need, what to look out for, and how to accept credit card payments in a way that fits your business.

How credit card processing works

If you’ve never accepted credit cards before, the steps can seem confusing. Here’s what happens: when a customer pays with a card, that payment is checked and approved by their card issuer. The transaction then goes through your payment processor, gets cleared by the acquiring bank, and finally the money arrives in your merchant account.

Each step takes milliseconds. But getting that chain right is what affects approval rates, transaction fees, and how quickly you get paid.

So before signing up with a provider, ask:

• Which card networks are most common among your customers?
• Are you accepting both credit and debit cards or planning to add more options later?
• Do you need a recurring billing solution, or offering in-person payments as well as online?
• What kind of checkout experience do your customers expect?

How to accept credit card payments

To start accepting credit cards in your business, you need these four key components:

1. Payment service provider

The payment service provider is the company that handles your card transactions. It connects your business to the card networks and the acquiring bank. Antom not only moves payments but also helps manage reporting, supports multiple payment methods, and keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes.

2. Merchant services account

You need a place to receive money from each card transaction. This is either a merchant account set up just for you or one shared across merchants. It’s where the funds go before being transferred to your bank account.

3. Checkout experience

How you accept cards matters. Online, you might use a form, a redirect, or an API. For in-person checkout, you’ll need a card reader. Either way, the checkout process should be fast, simple, and mobile-friendly. 

4. Security and compliance

Any credit card processing system must include PCI compliance, 3DS, and encryption. These standards protect your customers’ card data and reduce your risk. Your provider should help you stay compliant without slowing things down.

Options for accepting card payments online or in-person

Here are the main ways you can set up to accept card payments, depending on how and where your customers are paying:

Comparing billing models: flat rate vs interchange-plus

Here’s a quick rundown of the credit card pricing models you can choose from, depending on the size of your business:

Interchange-plus gives greater clarity, particularly if your transaction volume is high or varies seasonally.

Additional and hidden fees you should know about

Some fees are easy to spot, and there are others you don’t realise until much later. Here's what to watch for:

• Setup fees: One-time charges just to get your account up and running.
• PCI non-compliance penalties: Regular charges if you’re not meeting industry security standards.
• FX fees: Costs added when accepting international cards in a different currency.
• Monthly minimums: If your transaction volume is low, you might still have to pay a minimum monthly fee.
• Statement fees: Charges just for receiving a monthly report.
• Chargeback fees: A flat fee for each transaction dispute, win or lose.
• Early termination fees: Penalties for leaving a contract before it ends.
• Batch processing fees: A charge for closing out daily transactions.
• Network access fees: Charges added by card networks, sometimes passed on without explanation.

How to lower your card payment processing costs

To reduce total cost, consider:

• Choosing a credit card processor with transparent pricing
• Local acquiring to avoid cross-border uplifts
• Actively managing chargebacks to limit financial losses
• Routing transactions to match issuer preferences

Answers to common credit card processing questions

What will this cost?

Expect three layers of charges: interchange fees from card networks, processing fees from your credit card processor, and any monthly fee or additional fees from your provider. Antom makes these costs clear from the start.

What if a payment fails?

Failure often comes down to routing or unsupported card types. By using local acquiring and smart retry logic, Antom reduces declines across markets.

Can we settle in multiple currencies?

Yes. Settling in local currencies helps reduce FX exposure and supports better cash flow. With Antom, currency flexibility comes built in.

What about chargebacks and fraud?

A merchant services provider should help you manage disputes and detect risk early. Antom uses real-time monitoring and rule-based logic to protect every card transaction.

Can this support growth?

From higher transaction volume to new geographies, your credit card processing system must be built to stretch. Antom adjusts with you, without requiring you to rethink your entire payment structure.

The bottom line

Credit card processing can seem a little complicated, but there are simple ways to approach it. Whether you’re handling card payments in-store, online, or both, Antom will help you manage these seamlessly. Start with the right questions. Then choose a setup that doesn’t just accept payments but also supports how your business runs.