Most people shop for merchant accounts the same way they shop for everything -- by price. But when you must trust the processing of your valuable orders to an online gateway, there are more factors to consider.

When I first started online years ago, we found a merchant account that seemed to meet our needs. When they asked us what our monthly estimate of business would be, I suggested $1500, thinking that would never happen.

But one day, just before we were leaving for vacation, I had a vision. I saw one of my mentors, saying, "You need another merchant account."

My mentor had just given us the cell phone number of a new vendor he was now recommending.

So I when I called, the rep said, "Hey Rhea! I've been waiting for you to call!"

I thought this guy couldn't be telling the truth. Then he mentioned a few of my friends that he was setting up accounts for.

So I told him I wanted to set up a new merchant account with his company quickly. Because of the referral from my mentor, he to...