It's a tough question and can depend on your specific requirements.
However, there are certain characteristics that everybody needs to have in a merchant account.
First up is low transactions costs.
Now when I say transaction costs, what I actually mean is the total fees you will be paying to process credit card orders.
It sounds simple and it should be, but it's not.
Rates are a great way for companies in the industry to get a little 'creative' with their advertising campaigns and hide some of their charges that you only find when your first statements come through.
Next is the contract length, why sign a long term contract with a company you don't know? I certainly have no idea, if a company wants you to sign one it would send alarm bells ringing in my head.
If they provide great service at low rates, why would you leave anyway? Then you've got the service levels.
Can a company provide for your full business needs? Maybe you are an online business and need an internet merchant account, but what if you want to expand, will your provider be able to offer different payment terminals, or even mobile terminals, to be able to take orders at a big exhibition for example.
The list goes on, but it ultimately ends with a company that will get your transactions done with no fuss, because you won't make anything if you can't take orders.
That means there has to be an absolute dedication to customer and technical service and support.
So which company meets all these requirements?