Should Your Business Take Card Payments?

Physical cash is beginning to play less of a part in our everyday lives and the speed of transition from cash handling to personal card payments has gathered pace since the advent of the pandemic.  With the contactless payment limit being increased to £100 in 2021 levels of cash transactions will continue to fall.  Small and start-up businesses really need to stay abreast and be ready for these changes.

As we begin to adapt to the new normal technology will play a huge role.  When it comes to the ability to take cashless payments it doesn’t mean that a huge investment is needed.

So how can your business benefit from taking card payments?

Having a card reader offers flexibility and convenience to your customers.  Rather than having to stand in a queue at an ATM, more and more people rely on their debit or credit cards to pay for both large and small everyday items and less and less people are carrying cash in their pockets.

As well as convenience, accepting cards allows your business to accommodate a broader range of customers and means that you’re able to take secure verified payments in all it’s modern day forms.  From credit & debit cards through to mobile & e-wallets via phones and watches … let the customer choose how they give you their money.

Even if your business doesn’t have a WiFi connection or if you’re a mobile trader that perhaps specialises in festivals, fairs, exhibitions etc, you can still take secure payment by card.  Some devices come with a free-for-life Data SIM card, whereas other can simply be paired with a connected mobile device that allows them to verify transactions with the bank via a 3g or 4g connection.

You can also get to know and understand your business in a more professional way … a way that you would never be able to do with a cash drawer, register or money belt.  Card readers will provide you with a range of management information that can show you how your business, your sales, your products and your staff are performing.  In addition, if you have an EPOS terminal then your card reader can integrate with it.  Integration will improve speed of service by automatically sending transaction details from the EPOS to the card reader, which does away with the need to enter totals twice, thus eliminating the possibility of human error and mis-keying of values.

Taking payments by card doesn’t have to cost you a fortune.  There are a range of options and a range of devices available to the business owner.  You also don’t have to enter into a contract.  You don’t have to pay a monthly rental fee or other monthly charges for things like gateway fees or PCI compliance.  Some operators prefer an easy, low-cost card reader (starting from as little as £12) so that they only pay for the sales that they make.  Whereas others prefer to have a monthly contract, a lower  and to have the latest device technology on their counter.

In Summary …

Making money is hard … taking it shouldn’t be.  Regardless of the size of your business or it’s turnover, be assured that there is a device that’s perfect for you and for your business.  When choosing the best card reader for your business the starting point is to understand what your business really needs and how you plan to use it.  Often if you see a merchant services deal that looks too good to be true, then the chances are it is, and that the attractive headline rate comes with a number of additional hidden charges or conditions.  Android EPOS has a broad portfolio of card payment and EPOS solutions to fit every size and type of merchant.  We are not affiliated to any single institution and so we can look at the business profile, the turnover, the budget, the blend of card types, the infrastructure, your aspirations for it’s development, then scan the market and suggest a solution that fits like a glove.

For transparent, impartial, straightforward, free of charge advice get in touch on 02475 311254 or email us at [email protected]