Credit card processing is the process of getting the authorization of a credit card purchase when ordering online. Credit card processing online usually involves a payment gateway, a merchant account, and a credit card processing company. 

 

Processing of credit cards require many equipments and software. Equipments may include credit card machines, keypads or computers and software’s used will depend on the type of merchant account, the type of products sold and the compatibility of the web site. 

 

A shopping cart is the software used as a company website interface for online business. It is used as an online store, catalog and ordering mechanism. 

 

The payment gateway checks the validity of the card and processes the transaction. In order that your shopping cart can work seamlessly with the payment gateway, a connection is established between the two. Since each connection is different, carts usually support a limited number of payment gateways. Although most support more than one gateway, the choice of payment gateways will be limited by the shopping cart you use. 

 

For your business, you need to choose a merchant account that works with both i.e. your payment gateway and your shopping cart.