Category

Taking payments as a small business

How you take payments is crucial for any small business. And the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift away from cash to contactless. According to UK Finance, the total value of contactless transactions in 2021 hit £165.9bn, more than double the amount recorded in 2019 pre pandemic.

However, whereas before taking card payments was just a matter of renting a card reader, today’s payment systems are truly sophisitacted, connecting your till, your inventory and even direct to your bank account – which means you can even borrow money against your cashless payments. Today’s payment systems are seamlessly connected.

But where do you start when it comes to contactless payments? What’s the best electronic payment system to use? How do they compare?

On this page, you can discover 11 of the best payment processors, which card payment machines are idea for your small business, optimising cash flow with cashless payments, the best payment systems for outdoor festivals, pop-ups and street food markets, and even which is the best payment system for accepting US dollars.

Global payment services for small businesses: how to avoid higher fees

Global ambition doesn’t have to come at a high price - here are three international payment solutions that can help to cut the costs of doing business overseas.

Taking payments as a small business

Taking payments as a small business

How to take a card payment over the phone using a virtual terminal

If you have a telephone, an internet connection, a merchant account, and a virtual terminal, you can start taking payments over the phone today.

Guides

Taking payments as a small business

How to Boost Business Growth with the Right Payments Solution

Taking payments as a small business

Taking card payments – everything you need to know

Articles

Taking payments as a small business

5 ways to reduce your merchant processing fees

Taking payments as a small business

Five tips to get started taking card payments

Andy Macauley, chief operating officer of Handepay, gives some concise pointers to taking card payments.

Business Ideas & Planning

Top five online businesses you can start today

Ground-breaking companies have been founded in garages, dorm rooms and home offices. Here are five online business ideas for inspiration

Taking payments as a small business

Best mobile phone payment for self-employed

Payment devices you carry around with you have revolutionised how customers pay. We look at six of the best mobile card readers

Taking payments as a small business

What is a merchant account and how do you open one?

What exactly is a merchant account? How much do they cost? And do you need one to take card payments? We answer these questions and more

Taking payments as a small business

High risk merchant accounts: What you need to know

If you’re a new business, you have a bad credit rating, or your industry is considered risky, you may need a high risk merchant account in order to take card payments.

Taking payments as a small business

How to optimise cash flow with cashless payments

The phrase ‘cash is king’ has never been truer, but how can small businesses like yours ensure a healthy inflow of money to cover costs and make profits?

Taking payments as a small business

How to sell anywhere with contactless payments

This summer, three quarters of payments to Square’s small business customers did not involve cash. It’s a growing trend that’s not going away

Taking payments as a small business

5 reasons why (and how) you should meet demand for cashless payments

How should small business owners who rely on coin-operated vending machines respond as we move to cashless payments? Upgrading to tap-and-go is easier than you think

Taking payments as a small business

Strong Customer Authentication is complicating online payments

New EU SCA legislation that risked knocking €150 billion off the EU internet economy on its proposed introduction in September has been given a 'phasing in' extension of 18 months.

Taking payments as a small business

40% of the UK’s micro businesses do not accept card payments

This is despite digital payments being the preferred way to pay for 47pc of shoppers

Taking payments as a small business

Card payment system down: a survival guide for small businesses

Guy Moreve, chief marketing officer at Paymentsense, explains how small business owners can cope when their card payment system goes down.

Partner content

What are the funding options for hospitality businesses?

Hospitality businesses have faced a number of challenges in the last couple of years. Find out what funding and support is available.

Business Loans

A guide to getting a small business loan

Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.

Employing & managing staff

The importance of vocational rehabilitation services for SMEs

In Aviva’s latest SME research*, 57 per cent of employers surveyed agreed that nowadays employees expect benefits to protect against loss of income or earnings. What do you offer your people?

Partner content

What are the benefits of business broadband?

Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade