In today’s cashless society, it is becoming increasingly necessary for small businesses to accept card payments. Having a mobile or countertop card machine on-hand can help boost sales and enhance customer satisfaction.
Today, there are plenty of card payment machines on the market with various features, fees and upfront costs to suit your business requirements. Finding the ideal one for your company can be challenging so we’ve put together this guide to assist you in finding the best card reader that meets all of your criteria.
Portable
A portable card payment machine (sometimes referred to as a mobile card reader) is an electronic device that enables you to accept credit and debit cards on-the-go. Due to their lightweight design and user friendliness, these units have become popular choices for many small businesses.
Mobile card readers utilize GPRS technology, enabling you to process chip and PIN payments or contactless payments wherever you are. They’re especially handy for pop-up stores, traders and markets since they don’t require electricity or internet connectivity and can be taken anywhere near your business.
The ideal portable card machines are secure and affordable, enabling you to expand your business while offering customers a contemporary experience. These include tablet style smart terminals, EPOS systems and various payment solutions that can be tailored specifically for your business to ensure it runs efficiently.
They offer a host of features and support for mobile apps, which can provide essential information about your business and customer purchases. Furthermore, they make managing cash flow easier by creating digital receipts for customers as well as sending invoices and issuing refunds promptly.
Some of these portable card readers feature a powerful battery, so they can be used throughout the day and accept various payment types including Chip & Pin, contactless and mobile. One popular model is SumUp Air which processes up to 500 transactions on one charge and charges competitively.
If you’re searching for an inexpensive and straightforward portable card machine, the Zettle Card Reader 2 is a great choice. It accepts all card payments – including contactless – at an unbeatable price of PS29 plus VAT with a 1.75% transaction fee.
No matter if you need a traditional card machine for your till or an iPad-style smart terminal with Talech POS software to help build and run your business, we have the perfect solution.
Countertop
Countertop Card payment machines are ideal for businesses with fixed till points that need to process payments quickly before moving onto the next customer. Ideal for newsagents, takeaways and barbers alike, countertop machines help reduce queues during busy periods by processing payments quickly.
Countertop credit card machines can be connected directly to your broadband or phone line and electronically linked to your merchant account provider. Most terminals consist of chip and PIN readers or magnetic swipe machines for added security.
These devices are a popular choice for small business owners due to their features such as contactless payment and faster transactions. Furthermore, they come with mobile applications that let you accept credit and debit cards directly from your smartphone or tablet, which can be integrated with an existing POS system.
They’re more budget friendly than mobile and portable card machines, making them a great option for businesses on a tight budget. When selecting your card reader though, be sure to consider both model and brand.
Countertop card readers tend to be more secure than mobile and portable options since they’re hard wired, meaning minimal data breaches occur. Furthermore, these readers are less likely to go offline unexpectedly, leading to delays and irritation for customers.
Additionally, they’re typically easier to integrate with your POS system than portable or mobile card readers since you simply plug them into a PC or Mac and use software application for processing transactions. Furthermore, most models can be upgraded with various features at no extra cost.
Countertop card readers are highly reliable and capable of handling any transaction. Not only that, they’re easy to operate with advanced security software that protects your sensitive information.
These machines can process transactions within two seconds, making them ideal for high traffic businesses like barbers and takeaways with frequent queues at peak hours. Plus, they come equipped with same-day settlement – an optional feature that deposits funds taken from card sales into your bank account the same day they’re processed, decreasing payment wait time and speeding up cashflow.
Mobile
Card payment machines in the UK offer your customers a more convenient and secure way of paying for goods and services. Not only do they save time, but they make running a business much simpler; as fewer staff are needed to process payments, costs are reduced too.
These machines offer an attractive alternative to traditional desktop POS systems. They can be rented or purchased outright, often providing additional features like mobile app integrations that make managing payments simpler.
Cards are becoming more and more commonplace in the UK, as they provide convenience and accessibility that was never before possible. There is a wide selection of models to choose from – each customizable according to your individual requirements.
Many of these machines can accept credit and debit cards, including VISA, Mastercard, American Express and more. Furthermore, they usually support contactless payments, chip and PIN transactions as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
In the UK, chip and PIN is the most common payment method. This allows your customer to insert their card and enter a PIN number – it is EMV (Eurocard, Mastercard and Visa) compliant and offers maximum security for your customers.
Make sure your machine supports a variety of card types and provides features to enhance customers’ shopping experience. Some devices come equipped with an integrated POS system, enabling you to add products, discounts, create customer profiles, and manage orders on-the-go.
These features can be beneficial to your sales and help you develop relationships with customers on a more personal level. They also aid in increasing profitability, as they enable you to monitor sales and inventory in real-time, enabling informed decisions about stock levels.
One of the best options for mobile card readers is Zettle by PayPal, which has no upfront costs and no ongoing fees aside from a small transaction fee. This plan works great for small businesses that don’t need to commit to an extended contract or who don’t process many payments each month. Furthermore, Zettle’s contract options and fee tiers can be tailored based on monthly sales income, making it suitable even for seasonal businesses that don’t need long-term commitments.
Wireless
No matter the size of your business – bar, restaurant or even a mobile food truck – wireless Card payment Machines UK are essential tools for success. They allow staff to accept payments at any point in the space, offering convenience to both customers and employees alike.
Portable Card terminals work by using built-in Bluetooth technology to securely connect to the internet and process card transactions. Once it reads a customer’s card, it can connect directly with its issuing bank to verify if their account has enough funds for completion of payment. Once this is confirmed, your customer will be issued with a receipt as proof of their transaction.
These machines have become increasingly popular with businesses that operate out of mobile environments, particularly the hospitality sector. Restaurants, cafes and bars can take payment directly at a table instead of waiting in line and providing customers with more individualized service.
Wireless card terminals offer a cost-effective solution to process payments. They usually feature secure credit card processing with chip and PIN as well as contactless card or device payment options like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay.
In the UK, there are a variety of card payment providers that offer wireless card terminals. To compare features and pricing models before making your purchase, contact several providers and look for ones offering flexible contracts so that you can switch providers or add new equipment as your business expands.
Wireless card machines offer the convenience of accepting credit and debit cards in any location within your premises, providing new opportunities to increase sales and enhance your business’ reputation.
Wireless card readers can be the difference between winning and losing customers, especially with the growing acceptance of contactless payments. These types of transactions are becoming more widespread as they offer security and convenience over traditional credit and debit cards.
To get going, you’ll need a card machine and merchant account provider. You can find the best deals online on various merchant accounts, so it pays off to shop around.
