Europe has a population of more than 500 million people, which represents a big source of new sales for international merchants.  Europeans are savvy internet users and comfortable shopping online.
Here are some common sense tips for successfully maximizing order from European consumers.
Offer payment options preferred by shoppers in each country..  Credit card payments are not [...]

Here are the top 6 reasons merchants establish merchant processing facilities offshore:

Decrease Risk.  Diversification amongst different acquiring banks is prudent way of assuring processing continuity with backup merchant account facilities
Save Money.  Interchange rates vary by region and discount rates for [...]

Correct management payment processing is especially important for high risk merchants. A merchant account represents the greatest source of cash flow into most businesses. Proper attention to your high risk merchant account helps ensure the long-term success of your business.
These are a few to keep your high risk merchant processing running smoothly.

Communication.  Confirm that your [...]

As part of the application process for a high risk merchant account, businesses are asked to supply financial statements such as Balance Sheets and Profit & Loss Statements.  Business financials allow  underwriters to determine the condition of the company and determine the risk associated with the account.
Here are the most common types of business financials:

Balance [...]

You know the old adage:  Merchants sell globally, buyers pay locally.
Credit and debit cards do not have deep penetration in many world markets.  Adding localized payments for your international markets will certainly boost revenues.  Not having them on your site will depress sales and even drive you out of business in a certain countries.
But, you [...]

Europe’s sovereign-debt and banking crisis continue to affect access to lines of credit for payment processing.  And high risk merchants are particularly affected as banks are seeking to eliminate exposure to any potential contingent liabilities while complying with capital reserve requirements.
As a result, many companies are seeking additional payment processing facilities.  Maintaining existing accounts, if [...]

Whilst it is true that many high risk merchants prefer to establish payment processing accounts offshore, many international merchant accounts are established for standard risk ecommerce firms.  Firms in a variety of industries opt for offshore merchant accounts because the payment processing option makes good business sense.
Business Benefits of a Merchant Account Offshore

Diversification [...]

Industry analysts estimate that between 3% and 20% of online orders are fraudulent. The exact percentage varies with industry and average ticket. There’s little doubt, however, that fraud is a big problem for high risk merchants
How can you protect your business from fraud? While nothing will eliminate the risk [...]

Merchants expanding into international ecommerce need to clearly understand the cultural preferences and nuances of each market.  Successful international ecommerce strategies take into consideration the best methods to communicate with potential buyers in order to inspire the trust and confidence necessary for a consumer to place and complete an order.
Each region targeted for international ecommerce [...]

A high risk merchant account is essentially a line of credit from an acquiring bank.  The bank gives a high risk merchant the ability to accept payments for goods or services and hopes that the buyers will be satisfied.  High risk processing presents greater risk of loss than standard payment processing.
If a high risk merchant [...]