All guides
Know your fees. Grow your business.
Plain-English guides on what you pay to accept cards, how to pay less, and how to turn more searches into booked work. Start with the processing fee calculator.
Pass the fee on
Credit Card Surcharging: How It Works and When It's LegalHow credit card surcharges work, the 3% Visa cap, the no-debit rule, where surcharging is banned, and how businesses cut processing fees 55% or more.Credit Card Surcharge Laws by State (2026)Which states ban credit card surcharges, which cap them, and which add disclosure rules, plus the card network rules that apply everywhere.Dual Pricing vs. Surcharging vs. Cash DiscountsHow dual pricing works, how it compares with surcharging and cash discounts, where each is allowed, and how one business cut fees 98%.What Is a Cash Discount Program?How a cash discount program works, how it differs from surcharging and dual pricing, and what to check before offering one to customers.
Know your fees
What Are Normal Credit Card Processing Fees?What normal credit card processing fees are in 2026, the three parts of every fee, typical effective rates, and the signs you're overpaying.How to Read a Merchant Statement (and Spot Overcharges)Find your card sales and total fees, understand each section of a merchant statement, and spot the line items that mean you're overcharged.PCI Compliance Fees Explained (and How to Stop Paying Penalties)What PCI compliance and non-compliance fees are, what they usually cost, and how to stop paying the monthly PCI penalty for good.How to Cut Your Credit Card Processing Fees by Up to 90%Seven proven ways to lower credit card processing fees, ranked by savings, from junk-fee cleanup and Level 2/3 data to dual pricing.Interchange Fees Explained: What They Are and Why They VaryWhat interchange fees are, who sets them, why they vary by card type and how you take payment, and the parts of your fee you can control.Level 2 and Level 3 Processing: Lower Rates on Business CardsHow Level 2 and Level 3 data lower rates on business cards, what changed with Visa CEDP in 2026, and which businesses benefit most.Are Credit Card Processing Fees Tax Deductible?Yes, card processing fees are generally a deductible business expense. How to record them, what about surcharges, and what to ask your accountant.
Choose a processor
Credit Card Processing for Small Business: Options, Costs and How to ChooseCompare credit card processing options for small business: flat-rate apps, merchant accounts and dual pricing, with real costs and how to choose.How to Choose a Merchant Services Provider (10 Questions to Ask)How to choose a merchant services provider: pricing models, contract red flags, and 10 questions to ask before you sign anything.Square vs. Stripe vs. Clover Fees (2026): Which Costs Less?Square, Stripe and Clover fees compared for 2026: in-person, online, keyed and ACH rates, monthly costs, and when each one gets expensive.Jobber Payments Fees (2026): What You Pay and How to Pay LessJobber Payments fees for 2026: card, Tap to Pay and ACH rates, what they cost a service business each year, and ways to pay less.QuickBooks Payments Fees (2026): Rates and How to Lower ThemQuickBooks Payments fees for 2026: invoice, in-person, keyed and ACH rates, what they cost per year, and how to lower them.
Grow your business
AI Receptionist for Small Business: What It Does, What It Costs, How to ChooseWhat an AI receptionist does, what it costs vs. an answering service, how to choose one, industry uses, and the legal checks to make first.Google Business Profile Optimization: The Complete 2026 ChecklistThe complete Google Business Profile optimization checklist: categories, services, service areas, photos, reviews and posts that help you rank.Rosie AI Review (2026): Pricing, Features, Pros and ConsAn honest Rosie AI answering service review: $49 to $299 plans, features by plan, setup, pros and cons, and which plan fits your call volume.
Marketing by industry
HVAC Marketing: 9 Ideas That Bring In Booked JobsHVAC marketing ideas that book jobs: Google Business Profile setup, seasonal campaigns, maintenance plans, website must-haves and AI call answering.Plumbing Marketing and Website Design: What Actually Gets the CallPlumbing marketing and plumber website design that gets the call: emergency positioning, service pages, Google profile, reviews and AI answering.Roofing Marketing: How to Win More Inspections and Close More RoofsRoofing marketing that wins inspections and closes roofs: project galleries, storm response, insurance claim pages, Google profile and follow-up.Auto Repair Shop Marketing: 9 Ways to Fill More BaysAuto repair shop marketing ideas that fill bays: Google profile, service pages, reviews, transparent estimates, fleet accounts and AI phone answering.Dental Marketing: How Practices Attract More New PatientsDental marketing that brings new patients: Google profile, treatment pages, new-patient offers, reviews, online booking and HIPAA-aware AI.Med Spa Marketing: Ideas That Fill the Treatment CalendarMed spa marketing ideas that fill the calendar: treatment pages, before-and-after galleries, memberships, Google profile and fast AI booking.Car Dealership Marketing: Sell More Cars, Fill the Service LaneCar dealership marketing that sells cars and fills the service lane: Google profile, inventory pages, reviews, fast lead response and AI call answering.Law Firm Marketing: How to Bring In More ClientsLaw firm marketing that brings in clients: Google profile, practice area pages, reviews, fast intake, AI answering and trust-safe card payments.Veterinary Marketing: How Clinics Attract More Pet OwnersVeterinary marketing that brings in pet owners: Google profile, service pages, reviews, wellness plans, online booking and after-hours answering.Chiropractic Marketing: How to Attract More New PatientsChiropractic marketing that brings new patients: Google profile, condition pages, new-patient offers, reviews, online booking and HIPAA-aware AI.Plastic Surgery Marketing: How to Book More ConsultationsPlastic surgery marketing that books consultations: procedure pages, before-and-after galleries, credentials, reviews and patient follow-up.Orthodontic Marketing: How to Start More TreatmentsOrthodontic marketing that starts treatments: Google profile, braces and aligner pages, free consults, dentist referrals and clear payment plans.
See what you're overpaying, and what you could get free.
Send us one recent processing statement. We'll show you your real rate, what a better setup would save, and whether you qualify for the $10,000 marketing package.