Friday, May 1, 2020

Guide to Compare Credit Card Processing for Small Businesses


One of the challenges as a small business owner is finding ways to improve your bottom line. Accepting credit card payments can be helpful, but you need to make sure that you have the right credit card machine and merchant account that will suit the type of business you are running. There may be a lot of options available, and to make an informed decision, you need to take some time to compare credit card processing for a small business. There are online tools that can help you explore quotes and features at a glance, so you can pick an appropriate credit card processing service that will be affordable and ideal for your business in the long run.

As you compare credit card processing for small business, be sure to look into the following factors before you make your decision:

  • Fees – Determine the cost of processing credit card payments by adding the credit card processing fees to the price of the card machine. Keep in mind that fees will vary per merchant account, as well as per your business, but be on the lookout for costs like the payment gateway, card machine price, interchange fee, early termination fee, transaction fee, monthly minimum fee, and chargeback fees.

  • Types – There are three types - ISO, high-risk, and aggregate merchant accounts. Small businesses typically get aggregate accounts, as they only charge you when you make a sale and they usually do not have monthly and set-up fees. Independent Sales Organisation (ISO) accounts are flexible and suitable if you are the only merchant with high sales volumes. If your business is considered high-risk (i.e. travel, healthcare, or subscription service), be sure to check high-risk merchant accounts when you compare credit card processing for small businesses.

  • Your likelihood of approval – Merchant account providers look at the age of your business, credit history, and any previous credit card processing services you may have had in the past to determine your credibility.

  • Cards acceptable – Make sure the most common cards are acceptable as you compare credit card processing for small businesses.  These include Visa and Mastercard, as but some may also accept JCB, Solo, Switch, Diners Club, and American Express.

Compare The Best Mobile Card Readers in the UK


Looking for the best mobile card reader in the UK? Understanding the different types of systems there are is a good place to start. From the outset, you want a mobile card reader that is equipped to handle different kinds of payment options, from mobile wallets to chip cards, and even more traditional magnetic strip credit cards. An advanced device that can accept these kinds of payments is definitely a better choice over other systems that is limited to one type of card.

This said, staying up-to-date with more advanced technologies isn’t always the easiest nor the cheapest option, especially for small businesses. The best mobile card reader in the UK is one that accommodates the needs of your business and your customers, first and foremost. Advanced features are a great bonus if you can afford them and if market demands are moving toward their use. EMV chip card readers, for instance, are rising in popularity, as more and more banks and credit providers prefer EMV chips over traditional magnetic stripes, which have long been used in credit and debit cards. The EMV chip card is developed and managed by leading credit card companies like American Express, JCB, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, and UnionPay. It is a more secure technology than older magnetic stripe swiping technology that businesses and consumers are used to because it uses a fresh encryption for each transaction.

Systems that allow for mobile wallet transactions are also ideal, because not only are customers inclined to leaving cash at home, they are also more comfortable leaving home without their wallets. Modern customers are becoming accustomed to using their smart phones to conduct retail transactions through built-in apps and mobile wallet systems that are linked to their credit cards. These mobile technologies make use of NFC or Near Field Communications, which allow for wireless and contactless payments between card readers and smart phone devices.

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Get Benefits for Your Small Business While Offering Card Machines to Customers


Credit cards continue to be a preferred payment method in most businesses. Customers are likely to prefer buying from you if you are able to provide them with a convenient way to pay. Although it is common for small businesses to accept cash, a card machine can be a great addition to offer more convenience to customers. Nowadays, you can find a credit card machine for a small business in the UK to get you started in accepting cashless payments easily and securely. By allowing card payments, you could boost your sales and make transactions more effortless in the long run, so you can make your business grow.

No matter what industry your small business belongs to, there is a suitable credit card machine for it. If you bring your services to customers, like in the case of taxi drivers, photographers, and plumbers, and builders, there are mobile credit card machines that can connect securely to a 3G mobile network to take payments. If you have a humble café, bar, or restaurant, you may want to consider a portable credit card machine for your small business in the UK, so you can take the payment process to your customer while they are seated.

Accepting credit cards can be a significant feature to small businesses because it gives the impression that the service or shop is legitimate. Moreover, it can attract the attention of customers who prefer to pay with their credit cards. Some machines have a built-in reader for mobile wallets that offer more convenience to customers. This way, a credit card reader for the small business in the UK may even boost sales.

If you want to avoid the hassle of dealing with bad checks, you may want to adopt a high-quality credit card reader for your small business in the UK. It may even improve your cash flow and help you keep up with your competition. Over time, you will find that credit card processing can be cost-effective. Just be sure to find the right service and device by comparing machines and merchant account providers.

5 Ways to Boost Your Sales with The Best Mobile Credit Card Readers in the UK


For your business to thrive, you need to be able to provide convenient payment options to your customers. Most customers are likely to have at least one credit card, and many of them may even prefer to use their card or any mode of cashless payment like mobile wallets and debit cards to pay for goods and services anywhere. That said, it may be in your favour to get the best mobile credit card reader in the UK. It will allow your business to take card payments no matter where you go.

The best mobile credit card reader in the UK is perfect for businesses with a low turnover that is under £1.5k, as well as for small start-ups, freelancers, and one-man-band businesses. It may also be practical for businesses that provide mobile services, like hairdressing, pet grooming, and spas. With the right mobile credit card reader, you should be able to boost your sales in the following ways:

1.      Bring convenience to your customers – The devices are small and compact, and they can easily be connected to your tablet or smartphone, so you can take credit card payments no matter where you go.

2.      Keep track of transactions – Monitor payments and sales using an app that works with the best mobile credit card reader in the UK.


3.      Choose reputable providers – Consider mobile card readers from iZettle and Sumup. You can use online comparison tools to compare their features and prices on the spot to make an informed decision.

4.      Email invoices – Go paperless by allowing your system to deliver an invoice to your customer via email.

5.      No long-term contracts – Designed for flexibility, the best mobile credit card reader in the UK does not come with extensive binding contracts. In any event that you want to switch providers or upgrade your business setup, you can easily make changes without being restricted by the device that you use for card payments.


Make Your Retail Store Ready with Mobile Card Payment Machine for Business


Is your retail store literally going places? That means you could be setting up your shop from one location to another. Usually, this type of business would only accept cash payments, but you can go further and appeal to a wider range of customers by accepting card payments. This is possible with a mobile card payment machine. That way, you can take your business with you no matter where you are and offer your customers more convenient ways to pay using their debit or credit cards, as well as mobile wallets.

The mobile card payment machine works anywhere there is mobile reception. It is a compact and lightweight handheld device that relies on 3G signal to connect to an optimum phone network where you are. As long as there is a mobile signal, you can continue taking payments with it. This makes the device practical for other service providers too, such as photographers, builders, hair and makeup artists and stylists, and taxi drivers.

As you look for a mobile card payment machine, you may come across a mobile card reader too, but they have a few differences. Although both devices will let you take card payments anywhere, they differ in terms of contract terms and price. If your retail store is fairly new with a turnover that is less than £1,500 every month, then a mobile card reader should suffice. Just be sure to get your device from Sumup or iZettle. It may be a cost-effective solution that comes with practical features for reporting, without a fixed period for your contract.

If your business is more established and likely to earn more than £1,500 every month, then you will need a mobile card payment machine. It will be more cost-effective in this situation as it ensures lower card transaction fees. Receipts can also be printed directly from the terminal. If you are not sure which devices are best for you, consider comparing them online.