For small businesses, offering the right payment methods is what could turn window shoppers into paying customers, and that’s the aim of the game, right?
In fact, as many as 87% of consumers would reportedly abandon a purchase if they thought the checkout process wasn’t up to scratch, so nailing yours is an absolute must.
The payment landscape
The way UK consumers want to pay in 2020 has changed quite significantly, in no small part due to COVID-19 (although the tides had been turning for some time beforehand).
Card payments are the new payment method of choice for the majority of Brits, racing past old-timer cash, and claiming the crown as most frequently used.
In the wake of COVID-19 contactless payment popularity has also skyrocketed thanks to its touch-free nature reducing transmission fears, and the new £45 spending cap introduced back in April was rapidly adopted. Due to its popularity, the contactless limit was then upped again in October 2021 to £100.
As a small business owner, you no doubt want to keep your customers happy and take all the payments you can, right? Marketing experts argue to do just that you need to offer a multitude of options – at a very minimum more than one – to hit that sweet spot.
We want to see you succeed, so here we’ll break down all the methods on offer to take payments for small businesses, both face to face and online.
Face to face payment methods
As with all elements of running a business, the right payment method for you will depend on your business’ specific needs. That being said we’ll run through all your options and allude to which types of business they might be best suited to – just remember if you’re unsure or want a helping hand you can reach out to our friendly experts at any time.
Disclaimer: in this article, we’ll be describing our payment systems and their features and functionality. There’s no guarantee other suppliers’ equipment will be the same spec.
Card machines
We offer four top-spec card machines at simplypay: countertop, portable, mobile, and touchscreen, and all four are:
- Ready to accept all major credit and debit cards (i.e. Visa, Mastercard, Maestro etc.)
- Set up for contactless and mobile payments (i.e. Apple and Android Pay)
- PCI compliant
- Simple to set up
- Print instant receipts
Countertop
Countertop card machines are exactly that – machines that sit on your point of sale (countertop, till point, bar, reception desk) and accept card payments.
Our machine is neat and compact so won’t clutter your workspace and is plugged into either your broadband or phone line by an ample cable.
Pros
- Smart and compact
- Easy to use
- Can be easily moved (particularly now to comply with distancing rules)
Countertop machines are ideal for any business that wants to offer card payments and has a fixed point of sale; such as shops and cafes.
Portable
Our portable card machine has all the functionality of the countertop reader but it can be moved around your business and allows you to take payments to the customer – don’t worry, it’s super lightweight.
It’s powered by Bluetooth and has an impressive 50-metre range. The machine boasts a long-lasting battery life but comes with a charging base that you can plug in out of sight and pop your reader on at the end of the day.
Pros
- No wires getting in the way or causing a trip hazard
- Take payments to your customers
- Lightweight and compact
Portable card machines are perfect for businesses like restaurants, bars, and pubs who take payments from customers around their premises.
Mobile
Mobile card machines allow you to accept card payments anytime and from anywhere in the UK.
They’re powered by a sim card which uses 3G to connect to the strongest GPRS signal around, so with a mobile machine you’ll never have to turn down a job because you only accept cash.
Pros
- Hold a long-lasting charge
- Come with a charging unit you can leave at home, and
- Light and durable
Mobile readers are suited to any business that wants to take payments on the road, including the likes of mobile window cleaners, beauticians, accountants, taxi drivers, etc.
Touchscreen
Our touchscreen card machine has a glass touchscreen surface which is a doddle to clean!
Pros
- Online reporting
- Plug and play
- Superslick design
- Wipe clean for hygienic payments
We’ve also created a mobile version which connects to 4G, WiFi, or Bluetooth, meaning you can take it on the road to the likes of exhibitions and festivals.
To wrap up
The takeaway from this article is you’ve got heaps of options when it comes to accepting payments for your small business. If you need a helping hand deciding which is the right method for you don’t hesitate to reach out.
We’ve got dedicated consultants up and down the country – and our fantastic telephone consultants who’re ready and rearing to help – they’ll either visit or call you and assess your specific business needs and together you can decide the right solution for you.
Remember, at simplypay we:
- Don’t charge sign up fees – and can defer the first payment on your terminal services agreement for three months
- Tailor all our pricing to suit individual businesses, and
- Offer contracts with variable lengths – with lock-in pricing to suit your needs.
