Quite aware of the circumstances, one can always say that we are living in the age of technology. However, a business person would argue that technology could not benefit core-merchants, where core would refer to strict trade merchants like retail shopkeepers, garment traders among others. Their profits depend only on the quality of the supply they provide. One would assent that the core business management and principles have underlined the profit since inception; however, it would be ludicrous to ignore the contribution of technology. 

Technology, since its genesis, has been sold at profits never like before. However, why don't we see the contribution of technology to enhance the reach of the merchant? The situation is vividly different today. The client wants to come to you because you can provide him with the "ease of technology". In terms of management principle, this is called "image building", later termed as a Brand.

The technology today, in context, is the one that allows customers to make transactions through multiple options. It is technically termed as Online Credit Card Processing.If, for instance, the carpet merchants allow the use of Internet to make payments online against the purchases made, it will increase the revenue multifold.

Globalization has helped businesses spread wide and far. Though, the inability to collect the fee or cost of the product, from foreign lands was difficult until the introduction of online accounts, the merchants can now create an account that shall be linked with a bank and a processor. The customer can submit the payment into this account, which can be collected by the merchant at a later stage. Such accounts demand fee by the maintaining bank and the card processor.

The question, however, remains unanswered. How will the merchant benefit? The logic is invincible! The use of an online account increases the footprint of the business into a foreign land without a brick-mortar office, which otherwise would have procured cost. Thus, one increases the customer base, but not an additional cost.

Secondly, the use of such accounts is not limited to only foreign customers. Even clients within the bounds of the local area will find it suitable to pay the amount online. The very benefit of the scheme lays in the fact, that the customers will bear an additional cost required to maintain the account, not the merchant. The most important of all, the customers reaching in physical, will have an option to pay, luring them to come patronize the shop.

Thus, there seems no reason "not" touse a merchant account even if one is into the hardcore business. The online processing of the plastic card payments is bound to benefit your businesses, irrespective of the domain you are working with.