how e-commerce works
Online Transaction Process
Step 1 - The consumer places an order
A customer visits your website. The customer sees something of interest and places an order at your storefront by entering pertinent information, such as their name, address and credit card information. Merchants may also enter an order on the customer's behalf through the Virtual Terminal.
Infinity Internet provides a secure SSL (Secure Socket Layer) Web server for you. While Infinity Internet does not provide a unique certificate for your website, we allow you to use a secure certificate to conduct transactions. By using this secure certificate, merchants are assured that data cannot be intercepted by a third party.
Step 2 - The transaction processes in real-time
The payment gateway1 provides secure, real-time connectivity from your storefront to the payment gateway platform. The "order now" button on your website is linked to the payment gateway, which routes and obtains the credit card authorization or declination code. The credit card is checked against the address verification system to authenticate the card holder.
Step 3 - The transaction is approved or declined
The customer completes the transaction by submitting a transaction receipt to the server before disconnecting. The payment gateway then confirms that the transaction has been securely routed and processed. As proof of the securely processed transaction, both the customer and the merchant receive a transaction confirmation number.
Step 4 - The transaction is settled
The approved accumulated transactions from the current day, known as a batch, are sent to your merchant processor2 at the end of the day to settle your business checking account within 48 business hours.
By clicking the link above, you will be redirected to Infinity Internet's partner Web site to begin your sign-up process. Once you complete the online application, you will receive an email with all of your merchant account and payment gateway information.
Transaction Definitions
Sale - Acceptance of a credit card for purchase of a product or service.
Return (Credit) - Issued when customer returns product or service after transaction settles.
Void - Issued when customer cancels order prior to settling of transaction.
Authorization Only - A hold on credit card funds prior to settlement.
Settlement - The final step in the transaction. The credit card is charged and money is electronically transferred to the merchant's checking account.
