How to start accepting card payments for your business

 

With cash now accounting for less than 15% of all payments in the UK according to UK Finance, there’s never been a more pressing time to accept card payments.

Collection of card payments

Digital payment technology and public concern around the coronavirus have pushed contactless card payments further than ever. With physical cash falling firmly behind.

 

If you haven’t started accepting card payments for your business yet, don’t worry, it’s not too late.

 

At Handepay, we’re experts in the card payment world, offering plenty of solutions for businesses just like yours. So you can finally begin taking advantage of everything card payments have to offer:

 

  • Keep track of all your transactions
  • Take payments from customers quickly and easily. But most importantly…
  • Boost profits

 

If you want to start accepting card payments in 2023, here are some things you need to know and a few things you’ll need.

Choose how you want to accept card payments

How you accept card payments will be dictated by the type of business you have, and how payments fit into your business model.

 

For example, will customers have to pay in-store or are you an online business?

 

Do you offer both options?

 

How about paying over the phone?

 

Once you know this you’ll be able to look at the different payment options available.

Contactless card payment in process

Card being handed over to pay for items in a shop

Start accepting card payments via card machine

A card machine is the most basic piece of equipment you’ll need to start accepting card payments or digital wallet payments in-store.

 

Card machines allow customers to pay for their purchases via credit or debit card, contactlessly or by using chip and pin.

 

Also known as a ‘terminal’ or a ‘PDQ machine,’ many of these card machines can be used wirelessly, using mobile data or WiFi.

 

This is perfect if you run a business in a large setting and want customers to be able to pay from anywhere, or if you move around frequently, like if you have a mobile business.

 

Handepay’s Saturn Android Smart Terminal is the perfect choice for face-to-face businesses. 

 

With a beautiful 5.5-inch colour android touchscreen, alongside WiFi and 4G connectivity, taking payments anywhere, anytime has never been such a breeze.

Start accepting card payments using an online payment system

So, you’ve finally set up a website for your business and can’t wait to start accepting card payments.

 

The only question is… where to start? Thankfully, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.

 

One thing you will need is a payment gateway, which replicates the function of an in-person card machine online.

 

When your customer enters their payment details on your site and goes ahead with the transaction, it’s the same process. 

 

As soon as the customer’s details and funds are verified, the payment goes through, all in a matter of seconds.

 

Quick, simple and secure.

 

Sound like something you could take advantage of? Check out Handepay’s range of options for accepting card payments online.

 

We’ll help you have your online business up and running in no time.

Contactless card machine taking payment from card

Person holding phone and a card payment

Start accepting card payments over the phone

Accepting card payments over the phone was a huge step forward in the shopping experience when it first appeared, and it still is today.

 

Millions of businesses still accept card payments over the phone. It’s a completely secure and reliable way to make transactions.

 

To get started, you’ll need a virtual terminal.

 

Simply put, it’s a piece of software that allows customers to enter their payment details over the phone. All with the same great level of security as our previous two options.

 

Whether it’s entering their card details via their phone’s keypad or saying the numbers out loud, Handepay’s virtual terminal makes accepting card payments over the phone a straightforward process.  

 

Flexible, reliable and secure, our virtual terminal helps you hit the ground running when taking payments over the phone - with no hidden fees and plenty of support.

Something we should mention…

It might sound obvious, but all of the above payment methods require some form of internet connection.

 

This connection is what allows all these transactions to be processed quickly, safely and effectively, so it’s something to keep in mind.

 

Card payments can be accepted in some scenarios without an internet connection. But it usually means the customer’s info will be stored until the payment method, card machine or otherwise, goes back online.

 

Whatever your preference on accepting card payments, Handepay is here to help you start from the very top.

 

Take a look at our services, or click here to get a free quote today.

Financial disclaimer:

Terminal hire contracts are provided by Merchant Rentals Limited, who is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for Consumer Hire under FRN 720500. Terminal hire can be for consumer hire and non-regulated hire contracts. Please check your contract carefully for details. Regulation of all consumer hire fall under the control of the FCA.

Handepay Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA for Consumer Credit under FRN 673564. Handepay is a credit broker for consumer hire not a lender.

Handepay acts as an introducer of card acquiring services on behalf of EVO Payments UK, the card acquiring service provider. EVO Payments UK is the trading name of EVO Payments UK Ltd, a payment institution that is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN number 959332).

Existing Cards Businesses- The one-month rolling terminal hire contract from Merchant Rentals is only available to businesses that are switching from their current acquirer to EVO Payments UK arranged through Handepay.

New to Cards Businesses- The 12-month terminal hire contract from Merchant Rentals is only available to businesses that are new to card payments and wish to receive acquiring services from EVO Payments UK, arranged through Handepay.

The Next Day Banking Settlement service provided by EVO Payments UK incurs an additional fee of £4 a month on top of your acquiring service charges and fees. Provided your card machine performs a reconciliation before 12am (midnight), you’ll receive settlement of funds the next banking day.

Editorial disclaimer:

The information we provide does not constitute financial advice and might not apply to your business. Always carry out research into your business’ needs when choosing a new merchant services provider.

Sometimes, we link to other third-party websites to provide you with additional information. At the time of publication, we consider the information accurate, however, we do not have control over their content and are not responsible if any information on these websites change.

The products we display on our website are for illustrative purposes only - if your business requires additional facilities, you may receive a different model than advertised.

All of the information contained on this website, including fees, services and functionality, are correct at time of publishing. E&OE.

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