Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader’s Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
One form of relief offered to small businesses is the Employee Retention Tax Credit. First introduced in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, this tax credit could be claimed by eligible employers on quarterly tax returns. This program was expanded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law in December 2020, making the credit accessible to more employers.
The SBA offers a variety of loan programs that vary according to business needs. Its flagship program is the 7(a) loan program, which offers loans for most general business purposes. However, it also offers special programs such as microloans and disaster loans. Find out more about SBA loans, including who qualifies.
QuickBooks Online is cloud-based accounting software. It has the complex accounting capabilities that small business owners need and supports numerous integrations. Quickbooks Online has a lot to offer in terms of features, accounting, and usability.
Loans expert Erica Seppala talks inflation with Nasdaq.
Financial expert Erica Seppala analyzes in Real Simple what people in their 40s can do to strengthen their finances.
Loans expert Erica Seppala tells Real Simple why an app might help people pay down their debt faster.
The good news is that most businesses follow the same core steps — but the details matter.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about starting your own business.
Pros Flexible low-code and no-code tools to start processing right away Highly customizable APIs Transparent membership model pricing No long-term contracts Dedicated customer delivery manager for every account Cons May not be suitable for very small or low-volume businesses Only supports businesses based in the U.S. and Canada What Is Finix? Finix is built to […]
Sam’s Club Point of Sale by Clover is a merchant services solution that resells Fiserv (formerly First Data) products. Previously known as Sam’s Club Merchant Services, it now operates under Clover while using Sam’s Club branding to attract merchants.
Costco Merchant Services is essentially a reseller of Elavon, one of the largest payment processors in the U.S. That means when you sign up through Costco, you’re really getting an Elavon merchant account — with Elavon handling the actual processing, customer service, and contracts.
Pros Multiple types of financing available Dedicated SMB Financing Specialist Same day funding available Pre-payment discounts Cons Funds are not always instant Limited rate & fee information What Is Lendtek? Lendtek is an AI-powered lending marketplace that connects businesses with a wide range of financing options through a single application. Lendtek partners with regional and […]
Pros Comes loaded with Square’s free POS software Easy to use Long battery life Offline mode available Month-to-month contract Cons No built-in receipt printer More advanced features require paid monthly subscription What Is Square Handheld? Square Handheld is a POS device launched by Square in 2025. This handheld device packs a lot of power and […]
Pros No long-term contracts Competitive & transparent pricing No annual or monthly fees Robust features & integrations Streamlines global payments Cons No support for in-person transactions No phone-based customer support Not suitable for high-risk businesses What Is Airwallex? Airwallex isn’t just your average payment gateway. It’s a comprehensive solution that allows you to send and […]
Pros Simple, flat-rate rewards program Partner discounts & offers No monthly or annual fees All-in-one platform for banking, accounting, and expense management Cons Only available to businesses formed in the United States What Is Mercury’s IO Business Credit Card? Disclosure: This video is sponsored by Mercury and is included for informational purposes. Mercury’s IO is […]
Pros Unlimited bill payments for all Mercury accounts Business banking¹ with built-in accounting features Unlimited invoice generation Integrates with popular accounting software Expense management features Cons Only available to Mercury customers What Is Mercury Bill Pay? Mercury is a fintech company that has become popular with startup businesses for online business checking and savings accounts,¹ […]
Every business should use accounting software, but what if you’re on a tight budget? The good news is that you don’t have to pay a high monthly fee to track your income and keep your business and personal expenses separate. In fact, you may not have to pay anything at all for the best accounting software.
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The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.
