No worries about asking, yes, there is a chance that this will be an option in the future, but I haven't decided who to go with yet. Any preferences?
I'm not an expert, but the merchant account provider needs to give you guarantees that major credit cards from all around the world, and without restrictions (unlike PayPal), must be processed.
The most important thing here is that the payment form must also be flexible to fit all countries, with the least requirement of data to fill in the form, possible.
For example, there are some websites who can't process payments, although the credit cards are checked and accepted, because the form that should be filled for the billing address, includes a mandatory zip code field to fill, while the billing address on the card itself, does not include any zip code in it, and the payment can be done without mention of the zip code. But that's how the server is locked.So no processing possible.
This means an unnecessary lost transaction.And for what? For technicalities related to the online form, nothing more.
Another example,some other websites, can't process payments, also although the credit card is checked and accepted, because some country name, although covered, is simply missing from the online filling form. (Yes it happens).So no processing possible. You lose another transaction.
The thing is, that you need to make sure, to have a filling form with the minimum of data required to fill up.
IMHO, the billing address, for example, is unnecessary to start with. I've been paying in some websites, by filling forms, with a billing address, that is the same as the shipping address, while in reality, they are not even in same country.
And all was processed duly and securely and was fine. So that billing address thing is really not that necessary. But if there is no other way, then get it in a simple and flexible form with the least mandatory fields possibles. (The zip code example...Some countries don't even have something called zip code...hehe)
As for the credit card details, there are only few mandatory data that you need:
1- Full Name
2- Card type
3- Card number
4- expiry date
5- Security code
The rest are unnecessary details that have the effect to limit your transactions.
Actually those 5 mentions above, are the only data that you need. All the rest is unnecessary. So just make sure you don't find your payment processing be stopped or limited, by such futile details.
Now I've been reading around and doing some research to find out a good merchant account provider. But I didn't have enough time to check too much.
But you can get excellent references and advices in here:
Merchant Account Forum | Internet Merchant Account Reviews & Providers
But you'll have to promise me that if you find the good deal, you would explain it to me, because I might need one soon too.

(Not for me, but for something I'm working on)
And if you want me to help you in searching more, just don't hesitate...I love to do researches.
Just tell me in which direction
