Recent research shows that paying by debit and credit cards has more than doubled in the past 10 years, and it is estimated that by 2026 only 21% of all payments made will be cash. With customers wanting the quickest and easiest way to pay, accepting card payments is essential for all small businesses.
Quick, convenient and secure
Card payments offer many benefits for both you and your customers, not only are they fast and convenient, they provide a more secure way to pay for a product or service. One in every 10 payments in the UK are contactless payments, which means queuing times are reduced and efficiency is improved as no change needs to be counted.
Modern market opportunity
Offering alternative payment methods can help to increase your profits as it allows you to dip into different markets. Online and over the phone payments allow your business to become more flexible and available to more customers as payments can be made at any time of the day, and customers do not need to be inside the premises.
Range of card terminals
Any business can benefit from card payments, with a range of terminals available to suit every company’s needs.
Countertop payments
- One physical point where both cash and card transactions are taken.
- Connected via ethernet cable or telephone line to you merchant account provider.
- These are beneficial to businesses such as newsagents, beauty salons and coffee shops.
Portable payment device
- Like the countertop payment terminals but can be moved around within the premises.
- These are connected via Bluetooth signal from the terminal to the payment portal.
- This type of terminal is beneficial to restaurants and cafes as it gives the customer the option to pay at their table rather than having to go to the bar.
Mobile Payment Machines
- These run on a wireless network that is supported by a GPRS connection.
- An add-on is added to a device (phone or tablet) and payments work through a card reader app.
- Good for businesses with no set location such as food truck vendors, taxi businesses and pop-up shops.