Best credit card machines for business
As recently as 2018, cash has receded as a priority payment method in many countries around the world. In particular, many UK residents were already favoring credit card payments. After that, the popularity of cash declined more and more every year, and the peak of cash’s decline came in 2020. Not only has it become inconvenient to pay with cash, but moreover, paying with cash has become considered almost the main reason for the spread of the coronavirus.
You don’t have to be an expert in the payments market to realize that every year fewer and fewer people will prefer to pay with cash, preferring alternative methods of payment. The fate of credit cards, on the contrary, looks very good, and in the near future the dynamics of their use will be positive.
What does this mean for the company? First of all, that each company should adjust to the needs and preferences of customers, and to accept credit cards in stores must have all the necessary equipment, in particular, devices for accepting credit cards.
What kind of equipment should be preferred? We have already analyzed the market and selected several worthy contenders, the characteristics of which we will provide right now.
Zettle 2 Card Reader
The release of credit card reader version 2 from Zettle was a real breakthrough, an innovation in the field of mobile payments. If we are talking about small businesses, this would be the perfect choice for them, because in addition to its efficiency, this device has such parameter as cost-effectiveness and significantly reduces the cost of processing credit cards.
It costs just £29 and with no complicated connection required, all you need to do is use the Zettle Go app which will enable you to accept payments using your tablet, smartphone and other gadgets.
What makes Zettle 2 so good?
You won’t have to pay any fees to set up this device. The Zettle 2 can run for up to 8 hours without interruption and it accepts almost all credit and debit cards. There is also no monthly fee. The card reader fully complies with the high European standards.
Desktop credit card terminal
There are a lot of models on the market of desktop card terminals, and every year there are more and more of them, but we decided to consider the Ingenico ICT220m universal card reader.
It is so sturdy that any accidental or even deliberate fall will not disable it. The display of this device can see everything perfectly well, also has a special backlight. The keys are large enough so that you can easily use them. In addition, when buying this device you will also get a nice addition in the form of a built-in receipt printer.
Features of this device:
- Availability of a swipe option.
- The device can easily connect to Ethernet
- Can be used by multiple vendors
- Large buttons and bright display
- Ability to pay with a smartphone
The best portable card acceptance device
Once again, we look at Ingenico, but this time a completely different iWL model.
It is distinguished by its high level of functionality and ease of use. Connection is made by a variety of technologies. Like other models from this manufacturer, the device successfully withstands any shocks, while it is resistant to water.
With this card reader, you can handle up to 650 transactions on 1 charge. There is a swipe option, compliance with all standards adopted in Europe, as well as the ability to accept payments from various gadgets.
Other devices worthy of your attention
SumUp Air
SumUp started in the market relatively recently, but it is already challenging the more powerful players. This card payment acceptance device has a very compact size while being very functional. Receiving very good features, the company will pay a flat fee of 1.95% for each transaction. As for the monthly payments, there are none, which can’t help but please. Another nice feature is the provision of various discounts by the company, through which you can buy this device for only 19 pounds sterling excluding VAT.
This unit will allow you to accept all plastic cards, and the company will not have to pay a monthly fee.
VEGA 3000
This card terminal is one of the most used today. It is really economical and simple solution for small business companies. It contains state-of-the-art software which enables payment acceptance incredibly fast and provides the highest level of security.
The kit also includes a backup battery to ensure that the acceptance of payments does not stop for a second. And, of course, a simple but interesting interface and a powerful microprocessor are worth special attention.
Reasons to choose a mobile card reader
By choosing mobile card readers for your company, you get a number of important advantages:
- No need to install any additional hardware. All you need to use the card reader is the device itself as well as a tablet, smartphone or any other gadget it can connect to.
- These devices can be used without being tied to a specific location. You can take it with you and accept payments from customers at any convenient time.
- There is no need to conclude a long-term contract. Many companies manufacturers of such equipment offer customers to conclude a short-term contract, which is optimal for many.
A few reasons to choose a portable card reader
Portable and wireless card readers connect to your wi-fi or simply to your phone. They are very easy and convenient to use for taking payments in a restaurant. From the moment of full charge to the next recharge passes about 8 hours.
The advantages of using such devices:
- You do not depend on the availability of mobile network coverage
- Ability to connect by Bluetooth or wi-fi
- Increased level of customer service. The customer does not need to go anywhere to pay.
Whichever of the above devices you choose, you will definitely make the right choice, because each of them has enough advantages to perfectly perform all the functions entrusted to them.
