Information: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a payment gateway?
How do I integrate my site with Protx?
What are the costs associated with obtaining a merchant account?
What is a VSP?
How long will it take to set up my Protx account?
What is involved in the testing stage?
Can I test the Protx system if I don’t yet have my merchant number?
What is an acquiring bank?
When will I get my money?
How do I accept payments from American Express cards?
Which cards can I accept through Protx?
How do Protx compare with competitors?
Which pricing policy should I choose?
Do you offer discounted rates?
Is Protx PCI compliant?
Can I use recurring billing with your system?

 

What is a payment gateway?

Protx is a Payment Gateway, also called a Payment Service Provider (PSP). Payment Gateways provide the secure link between your website and your merchant bank to ensure that your customers' card details are kept secure throughout the transaction process. For further details on the transaction process please click here.


How do I integrate my site with Protx?

Most of the major shopping cart providers are compatible with our gateway. Many more providers have also carried out their own integration with our gateway so that we now have links with hundreds of possible solutions for you to choose from.

Due to the number of providers that link to our gateway, we cannot provide bespoke integration instructions for all solutions. We therefore recommend that you ask your cart to advise you which of our solutions they have integrated with and how you should integrate with Protx.

If you have decided to carry out your own integration, rather than use a ready made shopping cart, you will need to carry out a custom integration.

This is a relatively easy process, but you will need to be able to develop your site up to the point where the final amount of the transaction is calculated and you will need to be proficient in the scripting language you are using to complete the integration.

If you would rather employ a web developer to carry out the integration for you, then you can search our partner area to find a web developer who has experience in integrating our solutions.

Protx provide you with a VSP Simulator account, integration guidelines and a unique test account to assist you in integrating with our payment gateway.


What are the costs associated with obtaining a merchant account?

The costs associated with obtaining a merchant account will vary from bank to bank. The rates you will be charged depend upon a number of factors such as the length of time your business has been established, what type of industry you are in and your turnover. Consequently, it is difficult for us to estimate how much this will cost you.

However, you will usually be charged a set up fee, a percentage rate for credit card transactions and a flat rate for debit card transactions. Over time, as you build a relationship and business history with your bank, you can usually re-negotiate your rates. Click here for a list of the banks we work with and their contact details.


What is a VSP?

VSP is a brand name, standing for Very Secure Payment. You will need to select one of our VSP systems before completing our online application form; VSP Form, VSP Server, VSP Direct, or the VSP Terminal only. For further information on the products we offer please click here.


How long will it take to set up my Protx account?

After completing the online application form, it takes a further 5 to 7 days before you can go live and start accepting payments on your website. You will need your merchant number to hand in order to complete the application form.


What is involved in the testing stage?

You will be set up with a test account within 48 hours of submitting your application form. You will then need to follow a few simple steps, such as setting up a user on your admin account, putting a test transaction through your website and completing a refund. You will be emailed details of how to proceed alongside the details of your unique test account.


Can I test the Protx system if I don’t yet have my merchant number?

If you complete the technical details section of the online application form, you will be set up with a VSP Simulator account. VSP Simulator is an innovative development and testing environment that mimics the function of the live environment, whilst providing more extensive feedback to you during testing. This is designed for anyone who is working on a custom integration with Protx. When you receive your merchant number, you can then go back into the application form and fill out the merchant details section and submit it to Protx when you are ready.


What is an acquiring bank?

An acquiring bank is another term used to describe a merchant bank. You need to set up an account with one of these banks in order to use the Protx service. Please click here to find a list of the banks that we work with and their contact details.


When will I get my money?

Each day, all transactions that are processed through your website are placed in a batch. These batch files are sent to your merchant bank for settlement by 2am. It then takes a further 3 to 4 days for the funds to be transferred from your merchant account into your business account.


How do I accept payments from American Express cards?

If you want to give your customers the option of paying with their American Express card, you will need to set up a separate merchant number with American Express. This is because American Express is an acquiring bank as well as a card issuing bank. If you are an existing Protx customer, click here to apply for an American Express merchant number by submitting your details through Protx.


Which cards can I accept through Protx?

You will be able to accept the following cards through your main merchant number:
Visa, Visa Electron, Visa Delta, MasterCard, Maestro and Solo.

If you wish to accept payments through JCB, Diners or American Express cards then you need to apply for a separate merchant number with these banks. Click here for their contact details.


How do Protx compare with competitors?

Protx are one of the most price competitive payment gateways on the market. We have grown to become the largest independent Payment Service Provider in the country because our solutions offer our customers exceptional value for money without compromising on the level of service and functionality we provide.


Which pricing policy should I choose?

If you are a small business and process under 1,000 transactions a quarter, you will start on our Small Business Service, where you will be charged a flat rate of £20 a month. Your account will be reviewed at the end of each quarter, and if you have processed more than 1,000 transactions, the following quarter you will be moved onto our Corporate Payment Service where you will be charged 10 pence per transaction with no monthly fee. If you are a larger business and you are likely to process over 1,000 transactions a month, you should start off on our Corporate Payment Service.

If you do not select the right pricing policy for your business we will allocate you onto the correct pricing policy the following month.


Do you offer discounted rates?

Protx will negotiate transaction rates with companies who process over 10,000 transactions a quarter.


Is Protx PCI compliant?

Protx is now PCI compliant. For further information about PCI please click here. To view our PCI certificate please click here.


Can I use recurring billing with your system?

Recurring Billing applies to merchants who process recurring, regular or subscription payments. If you wish to set up recurring billing with Protx, you will need to obtain a Continuous Authority merchant number from Lloyds TSB Cardnet, Bank of Scotland or Barclays Merchant Services.

This Continuous Authority merchant number can be added to your existing Protx account allowing you to take recurring payments through any of our VSP systems through one Protx account. You will not need to store the card details yourself if you do not wish to do so.