Card machines for small businesses

It’s no secret that humanity is moving towards becoming a more cashless world. As we increasingly rely on contactless and card payments to purchase goods and services, it is more important than ever for small businesses to understand the value of embracing card machines. 

At Clear Business, we provide small businesses with a range of card machines, from countertop terminals to portable and mobile GPRS options.

Moreover, our dedicated team equips small businesses with card machines that can be relied on at all times. Machines that match their operational needs and act as powerful tools for growth.

The benefits of card machines for small businesses

In 2021, 57% of all payments in the UK were made using cards, and almost a third (32%) were made using contactless. For reference, in 2015, contactless accounted for just 3% of all payments in the UK.

With these numbers expected to grow – boosted by increasing usage of digital wallets – it’s crucial that you can accommodate an increasingly card-happy and digitally-enabled consumer base. 

However, the benefits of card machines for small businesses extend beyond the ability to meet customer expectations.

Time-efficient 

Card machines allow you to speed up the payment process. Not only do they boost efficiency, but they also aid accuracy as staff need not worry about any miscalculations with change.

It’s good news for customers, too. Most already expect the simplicity that comes with card payments, but knowing they needn’t wait in line as people count through coins and notes is always welcome. 

Simply put, card machines streamline the entire payment process and, as a result, allow you to increase sales and profits as a small business. 

Give the customers what they want 

How often have you patiently waited in line only to be told when you finally get to the till that they do not take card payments? Admittedly, it is a less common occurrence these days. Still, the frustration it causes can easily result in lost sales as customers decide the product they want isn’t worth a trip to the nearest ATM. 

No matter what retail or service business you operate – be it a restaurant, hair salon, street food stall, or something else entirely – the ability to take card payments has become critical to success as the dominance of cash continues to recede.

How a payment is physically made is also key. For example, will you need to take the machine to customers at tables or other seating areas? If you are in a van or truck, would a mobile terminal be easier to handle than a fixed terminal?

Picking the correct type of card machine means you can put customers first by catering to all payment preferences and avoiding unnecessary delays. 

Increase customer retention 

Nurturing customer loyalty is essential if a small business has ambitions to grow. There are various ways to nurture this loyalty, not least by offering fair prices and exceptional customer service.

Both of these can be tied into a seamless customer experience through a reliable card machine. If you are a shop owner and you don’t take card payments or your card machine is defective or unpredictable, many potential customers will simply go somewhere else.

But, if you can present a card machine that processes payments quickly and consistently, a key incentive to shop elsewhere instantly disappears. 

Increase business profits 

Payments efficiency isn’t just for the benefit of your customers. It also makes business sense too.

By accepting card payments, you expand the number of customers your business can accommodate significantly. Customers who use credit and debit cards to make their purchases typically spend more than if they only had access to cash.

The rapidity of card payments also reduces customer waiting times, meaning more sales can be taken in a shorter time, and the deterrent of long queues vanishes. 

Additional security 

Payments taken by card cannot be stolen from your customer or your business anything like as easily as cash.

With cyber security features that can be activated on your card machine, such as anti-virus software and encryption technology, potential fraud attacks can be neutralised at source. A card machine also means an end to the nervous transportation of large sums of cash to and from the bank. 

At Clear Business we ensure all our card machines comply with Industry Data Security Standard or PCI DSS, and our Ingenico range includes the latest cryptographic schemes that guarantee the highest security possible for you, your business, and your customers. 

Speedy payments 

When only cash payments are taken, regular bank trips are necessary to ensure the funds are safely deposited in your bank account.

With Clear Business, a sale will take 1-2 days to arrive in your business bank account with no need to go anywhere. 

What are the different types of small business card machines? 

At Clear Business, we provide an extensive range of machines to suit the needs of any small business. 

Our countertop card machine is an ideal option for those wanting a secure terminal. Fast, efficient, and able to process high payment volumes from one location, the terminal accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Apple Pay. 

If you need the option to take the card machine to wherever your customer is, our portable terminal would likely be a better fit. As well as accepting all the major credit and debit cards, it uses Bluetooth, allowing you to move around and take payments in a way that’s more convenient for your customers. 

These portable card readers can print receipts and come with a powerful rechargeable battery, so you need not worry about it running out. 

If your business often attends trade shows or events where people can purchase your products or services, our mobile GPRS system could be the one. It accepts all major card types, such as Visa, Mastercard, and Amex, and modern payment services like Apple Pay or Google Pay.

All Clear Business card machines have high-speed printing capabilities and PIN shields to make the payment process quick, secure, and easy. As part of our service, you’ll also have access to ongoing customer support through the entire process, from the initial phone call to the final set-up.

Get in touch today 

Start your card payment journey and contact a Clear Business team member today.

Let’s find the best solution to help take your business and its customer experience to the next level.