How to Accept Credit Card Payments without a Merchant Account

To accept credit card payments without a merchant account, businesses can use an all-in-one payment processor like DepositFix, which allows you to receive payments online without needing to set up and maintain a separate merchant account with a bank.

Traditionally, merchant accounts required long application processes, credit checks, and monthly fees. With modern payment solutions, small businesses, freelancers, and service providers can now accept credit card payments instantly, securely, and with lower administrative overhead.

Understand What a Merchant Account Is

A merchant account is a special type of bank account that allows businesses to accept and process credit card payments. However, setting one up requires:

• Bank underwriting and approval.
• Separate payment gateway integration.
• Monthly minimum fees and contract commitments.

Without a merchant account, you can still accept payments using a payment facilitator (PayFac) or third-party platform like DepositFix that handles payment processing and compliance for you.

Choose a Payment Processing Platform

To accept credit card payments without a merchant account, the first step is choosing a platform that combines the merchant account and payment gateway into a single service.

When evaluating platforms, look for:

• Easy setup with no bank approvals.
• Support for credit/debit cards and ACH payments.
• Transparent fees per transaction, with no monthly minimums.
• Security compliance (PCI-DSS certified).
• Integration options with CRMs, websites, or invoicing tools.

Example: DepositFix allows you to collect online credit card payments directly from your website, invoice, or form, without needing to open your own merchant account.

Set Up Your Account

Once you’ve chosen your payment platform, setting up your account usually takes only a few minutes.

Here’s how it typically works:

1. Create an account with your chosen processor (e.g., DepositFix).
2. Verify your business information (name, tax ID, bank account).
3. Customize your payment forms or checkout page.
4. Link your business bank account to receive deposits.

There’s no need for a dedicated merchant account approval or hardware terminal installation.

Create an Online Payment Form or Invoice

With DepositFix, you can instantly create payment forms or invoices that accept credit card payments online.

You can:

• Add payment buttons to your website or email.
• Create an invoice page with your business logo and details.
• Embed recurring or one-time payment options.
• Customize the form fields for your service or product.

Example: A consultant can email clients a branded DepositFix payment page where they can pay by credit card in seconds, no manual processing or separate merchant setup required.

Enable Payment Methods and Set Pricing

Choose which payment types you’ll accept and define your billing structure.

Options include:

• One-time payments for individual purchases or services.
• Recurring payments for subscriptions or retainer clients.
• Installment payments for high-value projects.

DepositFix supports both credit cards and ACH transfers, allowing flexibility for your customers while automatically handling security, compliance, and payment routing.

Share Your Payment Link with Customers

Once your payment form or invoice is ready, you can share it with customers using multiple channels:

• Embed it directly on your website or checkout page.
• Include it in invoices or email communications.
• Send direct payment links via SMS or customer portals.

Customers simply click the link, enter their card details, and complete the payment, no special setup needed on their end.

Automate Receipts and Reconciliation

After payments are received, automation tools handle everything else.

DepositFix automatically:

• Sends payment confirmations and receipts to customers.
• Records transactions in your dashboard.
• Syncs payment data with your CRM or accounting platform.
• Provides reporting and reconciliation tools for accounts receivable tracking.

Example: A digital agency uses DepositFix to automatically issue receipts and record income data in their CRM, saving hours of manual reconciliation each month.

Bonus: Simplify Payments with DepositFix — No Merchant Account Needed

DepositFix lets you accept credit card and ACH payments without needing a merchant account or gateway setup. You can:

• Create secure payment pages in minutes.
• Automate invoices, receipts, and payment reminders.
• Integrate with your CRM for real-time customer data syncing.
• Access detailed reports to track every transaction.

With DepositFix, you can focus on growing your business instead of managing banking relationships and compliance paperwork.