Portable Credit Card Machines for Small Business – Overview and Features

 These days, it is easier for a small business to start accepting cashless payments with credit and debit cards. All it needs is a terminal with the right features. However, not all terminals are alike, as some might be better for certain types of businesses. For instance, portable credit card machines for a small business might make sense for a bar or pub, a coffee shop, or a restaurant. That’s because they allow the terminal to be brought to the customer within 50m of the base unit, and prevents the need for the wait staff to bring the customer’s credit card to the POS area, as that could result in privacy issues, theft, or unauthorised use.

Portable credit card machines are great for small business because they are lightweight and small. They can take payments anywhere within the premises using a Bluetooth connection. They work like a cordless telephone, so when they are not in use, they can be placed back on their base unit. That way, they can also be recharged. They often come with a charging unit, which you can plug near a counter or a till for easy access. Receipts can be printed directly from the unit to keep transactions hassle-free.

Although they are more expensive than countertop credit card machines, portable units may be practical for a small business with multiple staff who might need to share one machine to process card payments. Portable credit card machines also make sense for small business that is looking to accept other cashless or contactless payments options, such as Apple Pay, Android Pay, and other mobile wallet services. Those features can be enabled as standard.

Consider finding portable credit card machines for small businesses online, preferably with a price comparison tool that can help you know their critical features and costs at a glance. Make sure that you can compare the machines from leading providers.

Facts You Need to Know About PDQ Machines

 PDQ is an acronym for “Process Data Quickly” and is mainly used in the UK. A PDQ machine is an umbrella term used to describe devices that process credit and debit card transactions.

More and more customers nowadays prefer to use credit or debit cards instead of cash payments. The use of PDQ machines is starting to become a standard practice in small businesses and large corporations alike. The machines offer a highly secure and convenient way to process cashless transactions.

There are many types of PDQ devices, each tailored to different kinds of businesses:

Countertop Machines

Countertop machines are stationary devices that need to be plugged into a power socket. These are ideal for businesses that want to concentrate on accepting payments from one point in the store. Countertop machines are the cheapest type of PDQ device available.

Portable Machines

Portable machines can be brought to different locations in the establishment within a certain distance. These are perfect for food businesses such as pubs, restaurants, and cafes.

Mobile Machines

Mobile machines are best for merchants who are always on the go. They require a mobile network to function. The mobile machine is lightweight, sleek, and compact.

Different types of PDQ machines also accept different types of payment methods:

PIN and Chip

The PIN and Chip method was created to secure payments made by card by storing authorisation data on an embedded semiconductor chip. This is the most commonly used method for card payments.

Contactless

Contactless payments involve the use of RFID and antennas embedded in the card. This method was devised to minimise long queues. Most contactless transactions are limited to a certain amount to keep the customer protected from fraud.

Mobile Payment

Mobile payments are fairly new to the industry. You would need a mobile phone to make mobile payments. Popular mobile payment methods include Apple Pay and Google Pay.

There is much more to know about PDQ machines — the facts listed here are simply an overview. It is recommended that you research subscribing to any PDQ payment method and make use of an online comparison tool to decide what machine is best for your business.