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Having strong online payment systems in place is helpful not only to you but also to your clients. In most cases, late payments happen due to misunderstandings with your invoices or trouble with the payment system. When you make the payment process hassle-free, clients pay invoices on time, and as a result, your cash flow cycle gets healthier.
With more than a dozen payment solutions on the market, choosing one can be difficult, especially when you aren’t familiar with the technical side of things.
To help you, we have put together this guide on how you can choose the best online payment system for your business. We’ve also compared a few of the most popular ones on their basic features, ease-of-access, and the value they provide. Intrigued? Read on!
The most important thing to consider while selecting an online payment gateway is how well it suits your specific business needs. Here are a few questions you can ask when you start looking for one.
What Do You Expect From The Payment Platform?You can start by listing all your requirements and then see which ones can be realistically fulfilled by an online payment solution. Most of them provide the following to users:
Ease-of-access and user-friendliness
When you’re trying to make things easier for your clients, you can’t afford to have a steep learning curve. Everything needs to be plain and simple — easily understandable by people who aren’t tech-savvy.
External integrations
Having your payment gateway automatically communicate with your CRM and other business software is essential. This reduces manual involvement and hence reduces the margin for error.
Support for multiple payment types
Scaling your business globally requires you to be able to process multiple card types and multiple currencies. And if your payment solution can’t handle that, you may not be able to scale quickly.
Reporting and analytics
Having analytics in place helps you understand the trends and patterns in your cash flow so you can better track any anomalies in the cycle. This also makes reporting payment updates to senior management or any external authorities easier.
Good customer support
No matter how good your payment solution is, you may still run into problems with it. That is why you will need efficient customer support to get you back on your feet with minimal downtime.
An ideal payment system should be able to process all kinds of transactions. You need to ensure the one you are getting doesn’t miss an essential type that you may need.
Some common online transactions that your payment solution must be able to handle include:
Debit/credit cards
Internet banking
Mobile wallets
Digital payments apps
Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
Most payment systems charge you per transaction, and some even have an upper limit for the maximum amount you can transact per day or month. Each transaction has a certain fixed cost along with a percentage cost of the total amount transacted.
When picking one for your business, you must reach a good compromise between the fixed price and percentage charge so that you can transact large and small sums at decent rates.
Paypal, one of the most popular payment solutions worldwide, charges somewhere between 1.9% and 3.5% per transaction and a fixed fee of under 50 cents. The exact amount depends on the PayPal product you’re using, but for most of them, a $100 transaction will cost you between $2 and $3.99.
Online casino beginners usually get confused about choosing the best online casino because the industry is flooded with online casinos.
Moreover, new online casinos are going live almost every moment. Each casino stands in a class of its own when it comes to games, software, customer care, operator, payment methods, promotions, rewards for loyalty, bonus offers, and casino terms, making it very difficult for players to choose. We have therefore presented a list of five things a new online casino player should consider before signing up at an online casino.
While choosing an online casino, players should research details such as licensing and ownership. We recommend contacting a site’s customer care before signing up just to find out if they are prompt in responding and courteous in their dealings with customers.
LocalityPlayers should consider locality when they choose an online casino because gambling laws vary from one country to the other and reputed online casinos do not operate in countries that have either banned online gambling or haven’t legalized it. The best online casinos operate only in countries that have granted them a license to do so. So players should sign up only at online casinos that have obtained an Internet gambling license from their country of residence.
If they reside in a grey jurisdiction and the online casino accepts players from that locality, they should make sure that the casino has been licensed in a reputed licensing jurisdiction such as Isle of Man, Malta, Kahnawake, and Alderney. Players can easily find out if a certain casino will accept them by either reading the casino’s terms and conditions or contacting the casino’s customer care.
Compatibility with Multiple DevicesWhile choosing an online casino, players should consider the device they would be using. For example, if they want to play on the move, they will be disappointed if they register at an online casino that is compatible only with desktops. Fortunately, the best online casinos work with almost all browsers and devices and offer web-based as well as download apps for both iOS and Android devices.
Players who do not like cluttering their devices with software must take care to choose no download casinos that are compatible with multiple devices such as desktops, laptops, notebooks, tablets, phablets, and smartphones. The latest and best casinos use HTML5 technology to enable players to access the games across multiple devices without having to download any software. On the other hand, players who use only desktops or Mac computers may prefer to register at download casinos
If players plan to play on the move, they should also take care to choose online casinos that offer games developed exclusively for mobile devices as scrolling from one side to the other can be an annoying experience.
Games and SoftwareSince software is the very soul of an online casino, players should consider the online casino’s software providers or game vendors while selecting an online casino.
Online casinos can be powered by individual software providers such as Real Time Gaming (RTG), Rival, Microgaming, and Playtech. Alternatively, they may offer games from multiple providers such as Microgaming, Net Entertainment, Play N Go, NextGen, and BetSoft Gaming. Each provider has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, Microgaming is known for the quantity of games it develops, BetSoft is widely acclaimed for its 3D slots, Rival is known for its interactive slots or iSlots, and Playtech is famous for its Marvel progressive slots.
Some software providers comply with gambling laws and do not accept players from gray jurisdictions or countries that have banned online gambling. For example, RTG and Rival Gaming accept players from grey jurisdictions such as the USA, while Microgaming, Net Entertainment, and Playtech operate only in countries that have legalized and regulated online gambling.
Bonus OffersOnline casinos offer several types of bonuses, most of which are associated with wagering requirements. Players should make sure that these wagering requirements are easy to clear while they choose an online casino to sign up at. A few casinos have zero wager free spin offers, enabling players to play the slots for free and withdraw their winnings without having to satisfy any wagering requirements.
If players do not like bonus offers, they can register at an online casino that gives players the option not to receive a bonus.
Deposits and WithdrawalsNothing is more frustrating than choosing an online casino that does not offer a payment method one is most comfortable with. Players should therefore make a study of an online casino’s banking page before registering an account.
The best online casinos offer a variety of banking options such as credit/debit cards, prepaid cards, eWallets, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, bank transfer, electronic vouchers such as PaySafeCard, wire transfer, and checks. Some online casinos do not charge for deposits and withdrawals, while some do. Some online casinos take a long time to process payout requests while some process withdrawal requests within 24 hours. The exact time taken for the winnings to reflect in players’ accounts after the casino processes the payout request depends on the preferred withdrawal method.
Summary of How to Choose the Best Online CasinoChoosing an online casino that best suits one’s requirements is an art. It involves a lot of work and new players may find this overwhelming.
Players cannot just sign up at any online casino. They have to visit a few casinos, find out their licensing and ownership details, check out the software and game portfolio, contact the site’s customer care to check promptness of response, and thoroughly study the banking page. If they fail to do all this, they may end up registering at the wrong online casino.
We have compiled a huge list of reputed and licensed online casinos and provided honest and comprehensive casino reviews to help new players. Players can visit the casino section of our website to filter our recommended casinos according to locality, bonus offers, banking options, software, and compatibility with mobile devices. This will help them to quickly and easily choose the best online casino.
Throughout history, civilizations have treasured mushrooms as a source of strength and healing. Greeks believed eating mushrooms made warriors strong, while the Chinese culture has long considered them a medicinal food for healthy living. And today, Japan has an approved mushroom-based drug to treat cancer.
Mushrooms are popular in the United States as a flavorful, nutritious food. The average American eats nearly three pounds of mushrooms a year, according to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center. Many people also use mushrooms for medicinal purposes in dietary powders, liquids and supplements.
“We’ve long known that mushrooms are good for you because of their bioactive compounds, and we’re learning more about their benefits every day,” says dietitian Joyce Prescott, RD. “There are so many varieties to enjoy in a wide variety of dishes, and we can also use them in many ways to supplement our diet and help keep us well.”
What are the types of mushrooms?Mushrooms are a fungus. Scientists have identified thousands of species, but only about two dozen are widely accepted for use as food. Some mushrooms have psychedelic compounds (psilocybin) that cause hallucinations or an altered state of consciousness. Many others found in nature — like the “death cap mushroom” — can’t be safely consumed.
Unless you’re a mushroom expert, stick to your supermarket aisle to avoid poisoning or other side effects. You’ll still have plenty of options, though prices vary.
Some mushrooms have a rich umami (savory) taste, making them a good meat substitute. Others feature more delicate, earthy flavors. Button mushrooms, the most common mushrooms in the U.S., have a mild taste.
Other, widely available types include:
Mushrooms contain health-boosting vitamins and minerals, along with protein and fiber. For example, one cup of cremini mushrooms has only 15 calories, but 2 grams of protein and nearly 1 gram of fiber.
Mushrooms also contain compounds (including polysaccharides and sterols) that may help protect your health and prevent disease. Nutrients in mushrooms include:
Prescott dives into the exciting world of mushroom research. While research hasn’t been extensive and more is certainly needed, some studies have shown that mushrooms may:
1. Boost your immune systemChronic inflammation (long-term swelling) is associated with heart disease, cancer and other medical conditions. Mushrooms contain certain antioxidants that help protect your body from stress and prevent or slow cell damage.
Mushrooms also activate substances in your immune system that can enhance its ability to protect you against infection and disease, including the growth of tumor cells. Some research has found a potential link between higher mushroom consumption and lower cancer risk, especially breast cancer.
2. Lower blood pressurePotassium is a mineral and electrolyte that helps your body control blood pressure. Most Americans don’t get enough potassium. Because mushrooms are rich in this mineral, they may help lower high blood pressure (hypertension). They may also reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
3. Support weight lossResearch suggests that a mushroom-rich diet can help you safely lose weight when combined with exercise and healthy lifestyle habits. In one study, people who substituted 20% of their meat consumption with mushrooms showed improved weight loss results.
The flavor of mushrooms may reduce your need for added salt, too, which helps control your blood pressure. Researchers found that substituting mushrooms for half the meat in a ground beef recipe kept the taste but reduced sodium intake by 25%.
4. Supply vitamin DVitamin D2, a type of vitamin D, keeps your bones strong and muscles working properly. Most of our vitamin D comes from animal-based sources, dietary supplements and good old sunshine. And here’s a fun fact: Some mushrooms may have a label that reads “UV-treated” or “rich in vitamin D.” That’s because mushrooms contain ergosterol, which turns into vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light.
“These UV-treated mushrooms are enriched for your health,” explains Prescott. “When mushrooms are exposed to ultraviolet radiation or even sunlight, the ergosterol transforms into vitamin D. So, you get a high concentration of vitamin D when you eat them, potentially enough to meet 100% of your vitamin D needs for the day.”
You can buy UV-treated or vitamin D-enriched mushrooms at the store. Or try it at home:
Sun and done!
5. Protect brain healthThe nutritional value of mushrooms may help protect your brain from mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In one study, participants 60 and older who ate more than two cups of mushrooms per week had a much lower risk of developing MCI. Other research suggests mushrooms rich in polyphenols and certain antioxidants may help protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
“This mushroom research is interesting because it could help with serious brain conditions that affect so many people,” says Prescott. “We need to know much more, but early studies are promising.”
6. Maintain heart healthMushrooms are a boon for healthy heart lovers. Their nutrients and plant-based compounds can help prevent plaque buildup in your blood vessels. Substitute flavorful, low-sodium mushrooms for meat while keeping calories, fat and cholesterol levels low.
“Some mushrooms have taste and texture just like meat,” says Prescott. “And the benefits of substituting them for beef, lamb or other red meat can’t be beat. You get the nutrients and the low calories, sodium and cholesterol without sacrificing flavor.”
7. Improve gut healthMushrooms contain substances you need to balance your microbiome (fungi, bacteria and viruses) in your gut and fuel the growth of good bacteria. By supporting your digestive system and immune system, mushrooms can help make sure that the nutritious food you eat keeps you healthy and strong.