Why Choosing the Right Terminal Can Help your business

In the last 10 years card payments both online and offline have seen a steady increase. In 2019 card payments accounted for over half (51%) of all payments in the UK*. Mobile payments and e-wallets gained in popularity. With eight out of ten UK adults using contactless payments* this shows that cash is no longer the favoured payment method for consumers. So, for business owners in hospitality and retail it’s essential to provide customers with a secure, fast and reliable card payment method.

However, there is no one card machine that fits all business models. So, how do you choose the right terminal for your business? Consider these features when choosing a card terminal to help your business save time and money: Ease of use, battery life, mobile connectivity and till & EPOS compatibility. 

Ease of use

An intuitive terminal interface will help business owners train their staff to use a new system faster. You’ll want your staff to take payments confidently and professionally for a positive customer experience, so look for a terminal with user friendly step by step on screen instructions, the option to add a tip and split payments for groups. Next day delivery and easy set up for the ability to start taking payments straight away might also be a consideration for your business. 

Battery life

While a pub, club or café may take payments mainly at counter; a fully booked restaurant will benefit from the option of payment at table. In this situation a lightweight portable terminal with a longer battery life will enable on the go payments and increased productivity for a busy team because the terminal will not need charging mid-shift. 

Mobile connectivity

Consider the locations where your card machine will be used. A portable terminal with wi-fi and mobile connectivity will enable card payments anywhere on your business property and beyond. Your staff will feel confident in the knowledge that even if wi-fi is patchy, then 4G signal will give them back up. This could mean the difference between a satisfied customer who is offered a quick straightforward payment option or disgruntled one who is inconvenienced by making their way to the counter to stand in a queue to make a payment. Queues at the till can be reduced by offering payment at table. 

EPoS compatibility

A demanding business will need a terminal that is compatible with till and EPoS to enable integrated payments using cloud-based software. Your team will save time when serving customers, at the end of the day by making reconciliation fast and efficient and when managing payments for administration and reporting.  

With a clear idea of the features your business needs in a card machine you’ll be in a good place to research and select a terminal which will help your business by saving your team time and therefore money.