Card payment machines, or chip and PIN readers as they are also known, are an integral part of modern life. They are used in taxis, coffee shops, supermarkets, pubs and restaurants.
They work by interacting with the customer’s card when it is within a few centimetres of the machine. The machine sends a payment request to the merchant bank who holds the funds in a separate account until the transaction is processed.
They’re easy to use
Credit card machines are a convenient way for customers to pay for goods and services at your store or business. They’re easy to use and provide additional security, making them a great option for small businesses.
They’re also affordable and help you make more sales. However, it’s important to choose a card machine provider that doesn’t add unnecessary fees to your monthly account, so you can get the most out of your machine.
There are several different types of credit card machines available to merchants, and each one offers its own unique benefits. These include countertop, mobile, virtual and integrated point-of-sale (POS) systems.
Countertop terminals, for example, can accept credit cards swiped through the magnetic stripe or chip and PIN reader. They can also process contactless payments, which happen when a customer taps their card against the machine.
These terminals can be integrated into a point-of-sale system or software platform, which will then log the sale and report on it in your inventory and reporting systems. They’re usually connected to your POS through an ethernet cable or a telephone line, but some can also be wireless.
Mobile terminals, on the other hand, are designed to be taken with you and used anywhere. They’re ideal for stores and restaurants that want to take card payments on the go, as well as events.
They can also be used in remote areas where there’s no internet connection or power supply. They’re lightweight, durable and have long-lasting batteries that allow them to work even when it’s raining or dark outside.
The best credit card machines are backed by PCI-compliant technology, which helps protect your customers’ and your business’s information from fraud. These machines come with built-in encryption that prevents hackers from stealing or accessing data.
They’re also a good choice for businesses that are expanding and need to upgrade their hardware. The newest equipment technology includes near field communication (NFC) for contactless payments, which works with mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Android Pay. These features can help you accept credit cards, debit cards, and cash at your business.
They’re secure
Credit card machines are a key part of any merchant’s point-of-sale (POS) system. They process payments quickly and accurately. They also protect a business’s data from hackers and disgruntled employees.
Most credit card terminals are PCI-compliant, which means they’re designed to keep cardholder information secure. They also have strong encryption features to ensure data is protected during transmission.
When a customer swipes their card, it passes through a magnetic stripe reader, which reads the card’s magnetic stripe and matches it to the cardholder’s bank account. It then sends a signal to the POS device, which in turn processes the transaction and prints out a receipt.
Some card machines are able to accept contactless cards, which use radio waves to communicate with the card machine. These cards are fast, simple and secure, and they work only when the machine is in close proximity to the card.
Many credit card terminals are also EMV-compliant, which means they’re capable of reading cards with built-in chips. These cards are more secure than traditional magnetic-stripe cards, making them more difficult to counterfeit.
These credit card machines also make it easier to check a customer’s identity by asking them for a PIN number. The PIN number is a unique code for each card, which makes it difficult to counterfeit.
One of the best ways to ensure a business’s POS devices are safe from fraudsters is to perform monthly security checks. For example, if you’re not sure whether a certain terminal is secure, it’s a good idea to unplug it and examine the underside, front and back for any suspicious or unauthorised activity.
In addition, you should always change default passwords and lock any sensitive data. This will prevent disgruntled employees from writing down a cardholder’s information or someone else from accessing it without permission.
It’s also a good idea to install an audit trail to track all transactions. This can help you identify any potential issues and resolve them before they become problems for your customers. Then, you’ll have full, accurate records of all card payments made at your business.
They’re convenient
Card payment machines UK are a vital tool for all businesses of any size. Having them makes your business more convenient for customers and easier to manage, especially when you’re working on-the-go.
The number of card payments in the UK is increasing and they’re now the most used form of payment, outstripping cash. This is largely thanks to the growing popularity of contactless, which saw the number of transactions increase by over 97 per cent in 2017.
When a customer swipes their debit or credit card, a chip on the card sends the transaction details to the merchant’s merchant bank account. This sits aside from their own business bank account and holds the funds until the payment process is complete.
As soon as the merchant’s card machine has processed the transaction, it sends the details of the transaction to the customer’s card provider – usually Visa, Mastercard or American Express. The customer’s card issuer will then confirm that the transaction has been approved and make the payment.
This means that a customer’s cash is no longer needed and their wallet can be left at home. It’s also a safer way of handling cash, reducing the risk of theft and fraud.
There are many card payment machines available in the UK, each one offering different features and benefits. Ultimately, you need to find the best machine for your business.
The best card machine for you will depend on how much your business accepts cards, and how quickly you need to process them. You should also consider the connectivity and compatibility of your device.
Having a machine that connects securely to your card processing system is crucial for speeding up the payment process. If it doesn’t, you may experience a lot of downtime, which will affect your sales and your bottom line.
Luckily, there are a wide range of card payment machines for small businesses available in the UK. There are mobile credit card machines that allow you to take card payments anywhere in the country with a smartphone and 3G or GPRS connection, and there are countertop machines that can be placed on your shop floor to accept chip and PIN cards. Some machines can even accept contactless and mobile payments, and some have built-in receipt printers for easy printing.
They’re affordable
Card payment machines are becoming more popular in UK small businesses as the cashless trend continues. They allow customers to pay for goods and services in person and at a time that suits them, without having to carry around cash.
The best thing about them is that they’re affordable. You can either buy one outright or rent it for a monthly fee, depending on the provider you choose.
A credit card machine costs between PS7 and PS45 to purchase, plus a transaction fee that’s usually between 1.69% and 2.5% per sale. It’s much more affordable than a mobile card reader, which can cost anywhere between PS15 and PS30 per month.
Most card readers accept all major cards and deposit money into your business account within a few days of accepting a payment. Some also offer additional services for small businesses, like iZettle Pro, which includes a card reader and custom pricing for businesses taking over PS10,000 in card payments each month.
These card readers are a cheaper alternative to dedicated payment processing companies, but they can come with a few disadvantages. They’re usually not as easy to use and don’t have the flexibility of accepting credit and debit card payments over the phone or online, which can make them a less appealing option for many small businesses.
You can get the best deal on a card machine by choosing the right contract, but you’ll need to look out for hidden fees and minimum monthly spend. This is especially true for lower-earning small businesses, where you might end up with a monthly fee if you don’t process enough transactions to meet your contract’s minimum spend.
For example, Worldpay offers a Simplicity plan for small businesses with annual turnover below PS100k in card payments. It’s a good choice for businesses that don’t make enough to qualify for a custom fee plan, and you can get a fixed rate of 2-4p per transaction.
You can also get a card machine for free if you sign up to Worldpay’s Paymentsense mobile app. This app connects your card machine to your phone and can help you keep track of all your customers’ payments.
