Danny comments: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” When you upgrade, file formats are sometimes different from earlier versions of software. This means you cannot go back to earlier versions because they don’t recognise new file format.

Do not assume that newer versions are better than earlier versions. All you have done is make software producer richer!

Have a firewall and virus checker and keep them up to date

Back up your data. 90% of companies who have a catastrophic data loss go bankrupt within two years. You should have two copies of important data and three copies of critical data stored in three different locations.

One copy should be in a fire safe off site. This should be standard practice. You cannot trust computers. Sooner or later they will get you! If you don’t back up, you are an idiot and deserve all you get!

Today I received this message from an ezine owner:

A lot of you sent me an ad this week, which I had saved on my hard drive and guess what?

My computer crashed and I lost every one.

I have a backup computer, but no ads.

Please re-send your ads so I can get them in Friday edition.

Sorry for trouble.

The ezine owner is obviously a nice person but he may lose customers who haven’t got time to resend their ads. No one likes to repeat their efforts.

Maybe his computer crashed because he had broken not only back up rule but some of other rules.

As a general principle, use your machine and don’t tinker with it. Once it is working, leave it alone!

Leave it alone!!!

To avoid unpleasant surprises such as mine, insist on all information and agreements up front, before committing to account or paying initial fees.

Having all of documentation may not be enough. Be sure you understand all aspects of your Internet Merchant Account agreement as well as fees and equipment required.

If you find incomplete, unclear, or conflicting information, ask questions.

If your sales representative is more interested in getting your signature than helping you understand your commitments, ask for another representative or go elsewhere. There are many, many Internet merchant account options available. You need not be trapped into one that is uncomfortable for you.

Based on my own experience, I developed a list of seven multi-part questions to ask a potential merchant account provider. Before contacting a provider about fees and agreement details, you may also want to familiarize yourself with all of potential fees associated with an Internet Merchant Account. There is a list here, about half way down page: http://www.take-payments- online.com/InternetMerchantAccount.html

7 Questions to Ask

Understanding answers to these questions before signing an application or agreement will help make for a solid partnership between you and your account provider:

1. Can I accept credit cards both online and offline?

Do I need to get separate authorizations or permissions when setting up my account for different types of transaction (Internet, retail, phone orders, etc.)?

What other additional fees are involved if I accept both online and offline credit card charges?

2. Can I accept online payments using methods other than Mastercard and Visa (Discover, American Express, Diner's Club, online checks, debit cards, etc.)?

If so, what are fees and do I need to do anything to "activate" those payment methods?

3. What are different discount rates and fees for different types of charges (Internet, in person, telephone, mail, etc.)?

4. What are other fees related to this account - yearly, set-up, application, monthly minimum, statement, support, cancellation, discount, per-transaction, gateway access fees, card reject fee?

Are these subject to change?

Are there any other fees?

5. Do I process charges manually or automatically?

If manually, is it possible to get automatic processing?

If so, do you provide a secure online payment gateway?

How do I do it and what extra charges will I pay?

6. What other software and services do I need to become fully ecommerce enabled online (such as secure gateway provider, etc.)?

Do you have a list of compatible or preferred providers?

7. Do I need additional hardware or software?

If so, what is cost and how do I get it?

Ask these questions and establishing a mutually comfortable relationship with your Internet Merchant Account provider from start. It will help you avoid "traps" and lay groundwork for a long, solid partnership.

Bobette Kyle draws upon 10+ years of Marketing/Executive experience, Marketing MBA, and online marketing research in her writing.