Uncensored Direct Marketing

Thinking about starting an online store or want to swap services but not sure if Shopify is the right fit? In this video, we break down the best Shopify alternatives in 2025 — including WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento (Adobe Commerce), and Shift4Shop so you can choose the right eCommerce platform for your business.We’ll cover:✅ Why Shopify might not be the best option for certain businesses✅ Shopify Payments limitations & hidden fees you should know about✅ How WooCommerce gives you low-cost flexibility and control over your customer data✅ Why BigCommerce is powerful for scaling brands and B2B businesses✅ How Magento (Adobe Commerce) supports enterprise-level eCommerce with advanced tools✅ Budget-friendly options like Shift4Shop for quick setup with no extra payment processing feesWhether you’re selling dropshipping products, print-on-demand, supplements, digital products, or direct-to-consumer goods, this guide will help you compare Shopify with other platforms and make the best decision for your store.💡 BONUS: We’ll also talk about payment processing freedom — why owning your customer data and having a backup payment processor is critical to protect your business long-term.👉 If you need help setting up your payment processing or choosing the right platform, drop a comment or reach out. maria@directpaynet.com

Think Stripe’s fees are just 2.9% + 30¢? Think again. In this video, Maria Sparagis (payment processing expert and owner of DirectPayNet) breaks down Stripe processing fees, reveals their hidden charges, and shows you exactly how to read your Stripe balance report so you can uncover the real cost of doing business.We’ll cover:Stripe transaction fees explainedHow to find Stripe’s additional feesUnderstanding foreign transaction & currency feesDispute & chargeback costsStripe fees vs. your actual processing costHow to protect your account from holds and reservesIf you want to know the true cost of Stripe and how to spot unnecessary fees, this guide is for you.Takeaway tip: Download your monthly Stripe Balance Report in PDF and check every single fee line—knowledge is power when negotiating rates or switching providers.0:00 Why your Stripe fees are higher than advertised0:57 The balance report you NEED to download2:13 High-risk merchant & out-of-region fees3:39 Foreign exchange & risk reserves explained5:29 Payout differences & surprise debits7:32 Why 2.9% + 30¢ is misleading8:28 How to track Stripe fees monthlyNeed a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

Confused by payment processing fees? In this episode, Maria Sparagis breaks down the real costs behind merchant account statements — beyond the advertised “2.9% + $0.30.”Whether you're using Stripe, Shopify, or have a standalone merchant account, this is the ultimate guide to uncovering hidden fees, understanding interchange rates, and negotiating better deals.🔍 Learn what "interchange plus" really means, how to spot PCI compliance penalties, refund and chargeback traps, and why your true processing costs might be MUCH higher than you think.📊 Maria walks you through an actual merchant processing statement and explains line-by-line what each fee represents — so you can protect your profits and make smarter business decisions.🛠 Need help analyzing your own statement? Reach out to Maria and the DirectPayNet team for expert support.🔗 Useful Links:→ Shopify Fee Breakdown (Related Episode): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbGsvCa7eJ8→ Open a Merchant Account: maria@directpaynet.com💬 Drop your questions in the comments — and if you’ve ever spotted a hidden fee, let us know!0:00 Intro1:44 3 Processing Fee Models4:20 Merchant Statement Breakdown14:56 Chargeback Fees16:39 Other Fees19:53 Summing Up24:23 Outro

Has Shopify Payments frozen or shut down your account out of nowhere? You're not alone—and you're not helpless.In this episode, Maria Sparagis, owner of DirectPayNet, explains exactly what to do when Shopify pulls the plug on your payment processing. From understanding why it happened to setting up real alternatives that can handle high-risk businesses like supplements, digital goods, CBD, coaching, and subscriptions—we’ve got you covered.✅ Learn how to:- Get clarity from Shopify (even when they ghost you)- Send a physical letter to escalate your case- Switch to alternative gateways that won’t shut you down- Set up a merchant account to avoid future disruptionsIf you're doing $25K/month or more, Shopify Payments is too risky to be your only option. Get backup systems in place today.📩 Need help? Reach out or drop a comment below.maria@directpaynet.com0:00 Intro0:49 Contact Shopify Online6:58 Contact Shopify by Mail8:40 Shopify Alternatives14:04 Merchant Accounts16:11 Final Thoughts🔗 Related videos:Stripe Alternatives for High-Risk Businesses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJLzaK7e6OI&tHow to Write a Payment Processor Appeal Letter: https://youtu.be/ddLt38NVdSg?si=ItUDJOVV4qzJEHaZ

Visa’s VAMP rules are here and they’re reshaping how online businesses handle fraud, chargebacks, and card testing. In this episode, Maria Sparagis (with over 20 years in payment processing) breaks down exactly what the Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) is, how it affects merchants, and what you must do to stay compliant.What's Covered:✅ What Visa’s VAMP rules mean for your business✅ How acquirers are passing fraud liability to you✅ The tools you should already be using to prevent disputes and card testing✅ Why 3DS (3D Secure) is your new best friend—especially for high-ticket or international orders✅ How AVS, CVV, and IP filters can make or break your fraud defenses✅ The underrated risk of confusing billing descriptors✅ What to know about chargeback alerts like RDR & Ethoca✅ And what you need to do today to keep your payment processor happy💸 Fraud prevention isn’t optional anymore. Get ahead of the curve before Visa or your processor shuts you down.🔗 Referenced Episodes & Tools🔹 Watch my original episode on VAMP rules:    • Visa Will SHUT DOWN Your Sales with New VA...  🔹 Need help implementing these tools? Drop a comment or reach out—we're here to help. maria@directpaynet.com📌 Like, share, and subscribe for more episodes on how to protect and grow your e-commerce business.

Why Stripe Declines Upsells & How to Fix It: Optimize Your Funnel for More ConversionsIf your upsells are getting declined—especially after the front-end sale goes through—this episode is a must-watch. 💳 In this in-depth breakdown, Maria Sparagis explains exactly why Stripe and other payment processors may be flagging your upsell offers, and what you can do to increase approval rates in your checkout funnel.🔍 Learn:- Why upsells and order bumps get flagged—even after a front-end sale- How Stripe Radar rules and default settings could be killing your conversions- The importance of vaulting (tokenizing) customer card data- Why low front-end price points might backfire on your funnel- Pro techniques like "authorize and settle" for multi-step checkouts- The risks of duplicate price points & how to avoid “do not honor” declinesWhether you're using Systeme.io, ClickFunnels, WooCommerce, or any other cart tool—if you rely on Stripe for payment processing, this episode will help you recover lost sales and maximize your AOV (average order value).📈 For those running DTC funnels or subscription models, Maria shares specific Stripe Radar settings to audit, tweak, and monitor.💬 Questions? Need help with Stripe or merchant accounts?Contact Maria’s team at DirectPayNet to get expert guidance and hands-on support. ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us0:00 Intro1:02 Stripe Causing Declines2:59 #1 Tokenize Data5:14 #2 Price Test7:05 Stripe Radar Tweaks8:11 Velocity Checks11:51 Gradual, not Rapid12:59 Don’t Contact Stripe14:11 Increase Conversions18:33 Bonus Tip22:14 Summary👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment if this helped you!

Choosing the Best Payment Processor for Your Online Business in 2025Wondering which payment processor is right for your online store? In this episode, Maria Sparagis (CEO of DirectPayNet) explains the crucial differences between popular PSPs like Stripe, PayPal, Braintree, and getting your own dedicated merchant account.What you’ll learn:- How Stripe and PayPal work for startups vs. scaling businesses- Hidden fees you might be ignoring- Why your business might outgrow Stripe sooner than you think- How a merchant account can increase your approval rates and protect you from sudden shutdowns- Easy integration tips that debunk the “merchant accounts are hard” mythWhether you sell digital products, subscriptions, coaching, or physical goods, this guide will help you pick the best payment processor in 2025 to maximize your revenue and keep your business stable.Many small businesses get lulled into Stripe’s convenience — until it bites them later with freezes, zero human support, or hidden fees. Graduating to a merchant account is not only about saving money but protecting your cash flow from algorithmic shutdownsSubscribe for more payment processing secrets, fraud prevention tips, and e-commerce success strategies!0:00 into0:53 2 Types of Processors2:00 Why Not Choose a PSP5:42 Scaling Your Business10:45 Plug-and-Play12:48 Application Process14:07 PSP vs Merchant Account21:31 OutroNeed a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

Are webinars really making a comeback? 🤯 In this episode, I sit down with Gia Liossis of GIAffiliate Management to find out why webinars might be your brand’s untapped goldmine—especially if you’re in health, beauty, supplements, or coaching.We get into:- Why webinars still work in 2025 (and who they don’t work for)- The best affiliate audiences for webinar conversions- Tips to get people to actually show up live (hint: it’s not just giveaways)- Live Q&As vs. product discounts – which builds more trust?- What kind of opt-ins and show-up rates you should aim for- Whether you need a doctor or influencer to run one (spoiler: nope)Gia also shares behind-the-scenes stories from high-converting campaigns, including one affiliate who 10xed their earnings per click (EPC) just by running a webinar.If you’ve been sleeping on webinars—or think they’re "so 2008"—this one will wake you up. 😅0:00 Meet Gia Liossis2:54 Who Are Webinars For?5:17 How to Get People to Join7:24 Where to Find Webinar Traffic13:19 Free vs Paid16:18 How to Get People to Opt In22:08 Providing Value25:33 Webinar Targeting27:57 Best Hosting Time30:05 How to Start34:30 Outro💬 Got questions about affiliate traffic or want to connect with Gia? Drop a comment below, DM me directly, or get in touch with her at https://www.facebook.com/gia.liosi#AffiliateMarketing #Webinars #DigitalMarketing #HealthBrands #InfoProducts #EntrepreneurshipNeed a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

In this episode, Alex and get into the wild world of hiring — and what happens when 350 people apply for a job... but only eight follow simple instructions.Whether you're a job seeker wondering why you're not landing interviews, or a small business owner trying to avoid the chaos of recruiting, this conversation offers raw insights, real numbers, and a surprisingly effective hiring hack that saved thousands in recruiter fees.💡 Topics Covered:- Why 97% of job applicants failed instantly- The simple test that filtered 350 applicants- Why younger candidates may be more coachable than experienced ones- How to find great hires without a recruiter- Advice for job seekers on standing out in a competitive market🚀 Whether you're building a business or building your career, this episode will change how you approach the hiring process — and maybe even how you write your next job application.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your thoughts on today’s topic!0:00 Intro2:30 Meeting the Qualifications7:44 Read the Requirements12:03 Drop Your Ego16:04 When to Ask the Right Questions21:27 Pay Attention to Detail23:49 Showcasing Your Potential27:25 Outro#HiringTips #SmallBusiness #JobSearch #Recruiting #JobHunting #CareerAdvice #ExecutiveAssistant #GenZWorkforce #HiringMistakes #MariaAndAlexNeed a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

Worried about the looming recession and how it might impact your online business? In this episode, we're diving deep into recession-proof strategies for e-commerce and direct response brands.I’m joined by Alex to explore how businesses can thrive, not just survive, during economic uncertainty.We cover:✅ Why building a brand matters more than ever in 2025✅ How micro-influencers can boost conversions and protect your PR✅ Must-know payment trends: Buy Now, Pay Later, Apple Pay, ACH & more✅ How to avoid chargebacks and reduce refund rates during downturns✅ Mobile vs. desktop checkout optimization tips that really move the needle✅ Whether you should be spending more on ads during a recession✅ Smart pricing strategies amidst global tariff uncertaintyWhether you're running an e-commerce shop, coaching business, supplement brand, or selling digital products, this episode is packed with real-world tactics to stay ahead in a slowing economy.💬 Got a question or a challenge you're facing? Drop it in the comments—your question might shape a future episode.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more insider tips on scaling smart in 2025.#Recession2025 #EcommerceTips #DirectResponseMarketing #OnlineBusiness #PaymentProcessing #BuyNowPayLater #BNPL #MobileCheckout #Tariffs2025 #MarketingStrategy0:00 intro1:47 #1 Opportunity for Businesses in a Recession8:25 Should You Spend More During a Recession?10:06 Pricing Strategies12:42 Payment Methods to Offer21:21 Optimizing Your Fees25:54 Reducing Disputes and Chargebacks31:59 Mobile Optimizations37:00 OutroNeed a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us