How to start using a card payment machine in 4 easy steps

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> 1. Choose a merchant services provider.
> 2. Choose the right card payment machine.
> 3. Budget for costs.
> 4. Start using your machine and taking more money.
> We’ve only been beaten six times.

Being able to make sales using a card payment machine has never been more important.

Cards have overtaken cash as the preferred payment method for customers, and the events of this year have further accelerated the path towards contactless transactions.

It’s not even just about Chip and PIN card payments anymore.

Today your business needs a card payment machine that can accept traditional Chip and PIN transactions and contactless cards, but also newer payments like digital wallets.

Don’t know how to get started?

It’s simple, and you can be up and running in just four simple steps.

1. Choose a merchant services provider

Any business that wants to accept card payments needs a merchant account.

It’s an essential part of the transaction process, a place where your funds are held until they are released to your business bank account.

To make life simple, many card payment machine providers can help you get set up with a merchant account.

Who you choose to provide your card payment services is a big decision.

You need to consider key services like support, ongoing charges and reliability.

It’s important to choose a merchant service provider that works for you.

If you choose the wrong one, it will cost you money.

We recommend carrying out a comparison when shopping around, as many merchant service providers add unnecessary charges and hidden fees.

Plus, you need to make sure that they offer the card terminal you need.

2. Choose the right card payment machine

There are a number of different options to choose from when it comes to your card machine and how you’ll accept card payments.

If you’re taking payment in store or in person, then you’ll need a physical card machine.

Not sure which is the best option for your company?

There are typically three options to choose from, to suit a range of business types:

Countertop card machine

• Used at a fixed point in your store, usually a till point
• The traditional terminal type, used primarily in retail
• Great for businesses with a single point of purchase
• Affordable and simple to use

Portable card machine

• Can be used anywhere in your store within range of the base unit
• Ideal for businesses that prefer to take payments to the customer, or need to have more than one point of purchase
• Popular in hospitality businesses
• Used widely for table service

Mobile card machine

• Allows you to take payments ‘on the go’
• Connects to the strongest GPRS network to accept payments wherever you make sales
• The perfect choice for tradespeople and travelling sales operations
• Increases safety by minimising cash transportation

3. Budget for costs

When you use a card payment machine, you’ll be able to make more sales.

Which means you can take more money.

You can serve customers faster, and have more time to restock and improve the customer experience.

As expected, using a card payment machine does require some investment.

You’ll have to pay to rent the machine and pay the associated transaction fees.

It’s important to find a provider who minimises those costs, to get the most profit out of each sale.

Some providers add a range of charges that are unnecessary, such as a minimum monthly service cost or PCI DSS fees.

Make sure you understand every charge you’ll face from your card payment machine provider, before you sign the contract.

That way, there’ll be no nasty surprises when you receive your first bill.

Shops that offer card payments can see a boost when making the switch from operating as cash only.

It’s important to determine the cost of the investment up front, against the long-term financial benefits you’ll see from accepting card payments.

4. Start using your machine and taking more money

Once you’ve chosen the provider for you and completed the application process, you can be up and running in a number of days.

When you receive your terminal, follow the instructions provided to set it up and complete a test transaction.

Train your staff on how to use the card machine and allow them to familiarise themselves with the process. It’s going to be a great benefit for them.

With that, you’re up and running.

It’s that simple.

Advertise to your customers that they can now pay using their card. You can post it on social media or on your website – don’t forget to advertise it in-store too.