In addition to just transferring the transaction information between your site and your bank, some clearing services might offer additional features, such as batch settlement, a password-protected management feature that enables you to review all transactions and import the information into a spreadsheet. People expect everything to be free, and that's just unrealistic. In addition to setup costs, some companies charge a flat fee for the service plus an additional per-transaction fee. Make sure you are not locked into a contract or service that penalizes you for exceeding a transaction limit. A service that makes it easy for you to scale up is preferable.
Performance is determined by the time it takes to complete transactions.
Reliability refers to the number of transactions that go through compared with those that fail. See what the service claims for performance and reliability, then talk to some of the firm's customers to check if the service lives up to its claims. Some services essentially act as resellers for banks. Make sure the service you choose has a relationship with you, so it will help you resolve problems directly. If you want your banners to sell better, visit BannerTips.