Pro EPOS doesn't have to be expensive.
You're starting a business, expanding, or heading into a busy season, and at some point the question lands: how am I actually going to let my customers pay? You know you need a card machine, but where do you start? Rent or buy? A standalone device, or something that links to your till? And is it true you can now take card payments straight from your phone?
You're not the only one who finds this a maze. In this blog we explain, calmly, how card payments work behind the scenes, what your options are, and why taking payments on your phone with Tap to Pay can be a smart alternative for your business.
There's more to a card payment than the device on your counter. When a customer pays by card, the money travels via a payment provider to the bank and finally to you. That provider handles the processing, the security and the payout. For you as a business owner, that means two things: you choose a device and a provider, and you usually pay a small fee on every transaction.
Tip: When you compare two providers, don't just look at the price of the device. A cheap machine with high transaction fees can work out more expensive over a year than a slightly pricier one with sharp rates.
Whether you buy or rent a card machine depends mainly on how settled you are and how often you'll use it. Buying outright can pay off if you have a fixed premises and the device runs for years.
But renting isn't a must. If what you really want is flexibility and low upfront costs, you can just as easily work without a fixed device: with Tap to Pay on your phone or with a handheld, you can take payments anywhere, without being tied in.
With every option, factor in the transaction fees and the length of the contract too. That way you avoid being locked into something that doesn't fit your business.
Example: Only trading in peak season? Then a long contract with a bought device is a waste. With Tap to Pay you take orders and accept card payments without any setup. Working somewhere without stable Wi-Fi? It can run over your phone's mobile data instead. No hardware to invest in.
With Tap to Pay you turn your own smartphone into a card machine: the customer holds their card, phone or smartwatch against your device, and the payment goes through via NFC.
All you need is a suitable phone and a payment app. No extra hardware to buy, charge or lose. For amounts above the £100 contactless limit, the customer simply enters their PIN on your screen, safely and encrypted.
Whether you lean towards a fixed card machine or Tap to Pay on your phone, what matters is that paying runs smoothly. That's where unTill can help. Payments connect directly to your EPOS system, so the order and the payment come together as one. Better for you, and better for your customer.
Still unsure whether you need a card machine or Tap to Pay, and if so which one? Or would you like to know how best to compare the costs and see the full picture? Just let us know. Our unTill advisers for business owners are happy to think it through with you, no obligation.
Try unTill Air for free! Experience the full potential of our POS system with unTill Air's complimentary 2-week trial.
We’ve gathered all the information you need, so you can quickly and easily find the answers you’re looking for.
We’ve gathered all the information you need, so you can quickly and easily find the answers you’re looking for.
