Whether you’re taking payments at your storefront or working on the go, choosing the right card machine can help you improve your business and customer experience. Look for card machines that offer features like a PIN pad, and support payment methods like Apple Pay and Android Pay.
Also, consider transaction fees and monthly charges. And finally, look for portable and mobile card payment machines that are compatible with your EPOS system.
How to Choose a Card Machine for a Small Business: Payment options
Card payments have become a critical part of business, with cash payments declining and customers increasingly demanding more efficient, quicker checkouts. With a range of options on the market, it’s important to choose one that will meet your business needs – both now and in the future.
The best card machines will be easy for both you and your customers to use, reducing the chances of errors and slow transactions that will hold up queues and frustrate customers. Look for card readers that are PCI compliant to avoid financial penalties and secure your customers’ payment details.
Monthly contract card machine providers can offer rates and solutions that work for various industries, from small micro-businesses that need robust countertop card payments to bars and restaurants that need portable or mobile card payment solutions that sync up with their EPOS. Some even offer GRPS connectivity, allowing you to trade on the go. The hardware included with these solutions also comes in various styles – from compact handheld readers to countertop terminals and everything in between.
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Ease of use
Whether your customers are tapping their mobile wallets to pay or swiping at the counter, they will expect your business to offer them a modernized payment experience. To do so, you need a card machine that not only offers the popular payment methods but also provides you with other features to grow your customer engagement and loyalty.
Portable POS machines are ideal for businesses that trade outside of their premises (like food trucks or market stalls). They run on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections, meaning you can move around freely with them so long as they are within range.
They are also often cheaper than countertop models and have the added benefit of reduced processing fees. However, you need to ensure your mobile card machine is reliable and connects consistently so your customers don’t have to wait too long to pay. Look for a provider offering you a warranty and a trial period to help you determine if it will work well in your environment before purchasing.
Security
Whether your business is small or large, your card reader must offer high security. This means that it should be able to connect to your point of sale (POS) system and hold up to PCI data security standards. A wireless Bluetooth credit card reader is the best way to ensure this. These devices will work on various mobile phone makers and models, making them more reliable than plug-in devices.
Portable card machines are great for on-the-go sole traders and SMEs because they operate off mobile network connections. They do need to be near their base to work but can be moved around freely as long as there is a strong mobile signal.
The best card machines can be synced to your POS system, allowing you to easily track transactions and payments. You should also choose a machine that is compatible with your business’s industry and customers, so you can offer the most convenient and secure payment options.
Reliability
When choosing a card machine, it is important to consider the device’s reliability. Especially if you run an automated business such as a laundromat, massage chairs, or amusement businesses, you need a reliable device. Moreover, you may not be able to physically check your machine all the time, and you want to have a device that can alert you of any issues, such as a power outage. This is why many of the latest card machines use telemetry technology and provide notifications to ensure your machines are up and running.
Some card machines also offer GRPS connectivity, which is great for on-the-go sole traders as it means they can take payments anywhere – with a Wi-Fi or mobile connection. Similarly, portable card readers work off Bluetooth and only need to be within range of the base unit. These are ideal for restaurants and bars, where payments are often taken at the customers’ tables.
