takepayments blog.
Tuesday, 03 March 2020
My card machine isn't working
First up, if it's one of our card machines that isn't working, head over to our online support section, or give our team a call on 01606 566 600 and we'll get you back up and running as quickly as we can. Card payments make up nearly 80% of all retail transactions - steadily overtaking cash throughout the last decade, and the most popular way to accept them is with a card machine. But, as with all technologies, there runs the risk of a malfunction, and when this happens it can feel like a nightmare for businesses.
Friday, 28 February 2020
5 must-know facts about online payments
For small or fledgeling businesses, it’s not uncommon to start off accepting in-store, face-to-face payments only. But, to widen your audience, maximise your profits and reach your potential you’ll probably want to expand your offering into the online arena at some point too. It might seem like a complex thing to wrap your head around, maybe you wouldn’t consider yourself a tech boffin, or perhaps you even feel out of your depth, but don’t worry, we’ll hold your hand through the process.
Tuesday, 18 February 2020
How to handle cash flow within your business
Staying on top of your cash flow is business 101 - it’s the only way to know how much is coming in and how much is going out, and research shows cash flow issues are one of the main reasons businesses fail. Cash flow is commonly mistaken for profits when in reality businesses with healthy profits can find themselves filing for bankruptcy due to the amount coming in not matching the amount going out.
Tuesday, 18 February 2020
Then to now: the history of card payments
Paying by card has changed the way we purchase services and goods and today, most customers pay for at least half of their purchases on plastic. But where did it all begin? Credit and debit cards are so commonplace now it’s hard to imagine a world without them, but these little pieces of plastic didn’t always rule the market - let’s take a look back at the evolution of the humble card.
Tuesday, 11 February 2020
What to do with your extra 24 hours
Ever found yourself wishing there were more hours in the day? Unfortunately, we can’t make that happen, but thanks to the Gregorian calendar every four years we get an extra day in the year (thanks, Pope Gregory XIII!). At takepayments we’re determined to help make 2020 the best year for businesses yet, and so we’ve donned our thinking caps, got creative and come up with 14 ways you can make the most of the extra 24 hours for your business.
Monday, 03 February 2020
Comparing e-wallets
Times are changing, technology is rapidly evolving, and consumers continue to adapt the way they pay for goods and services and adopt the latest ways to pay. For merchants, keeping up with the latest technology is key to keeping customers happy - because remember, convenience is king. If they can’t pay the way they want to, it could result in you losing a sale and that’s the last thing you want to do.
Monday, 03 February 2020
7 things you might not know about EPOS systems
We’re all familiar with the old-school tills of yesteryear, that memorable ‘ding’ when the cash register opened, the shop assistant manually inputting the price of each item sold, and some of you might even remember a time when tills were cash only. Flash forward to the present day and such a system can seem pretty prehistoric thanks to the introduction of POS till systems. Electronic point of sale (EPOS) systems have revolutionised payments, making them quicker, simpler and safer than ever before.
Monday, 03 February 2020
5 ways to improve the customer experience
The customer is king, that we all know, but how do you turn a first-time buyer into a repeat customer? With grade-A customer experience (CX). CX is so much more than just ensuring your staff are welcoming and helpful, it’s the impression you leave on a customer based on their interactions with every area of your business - from adverts to customer service, the sale itself and beyond.
Monday, 27 January 2020
What is a POS system?
POS system stands for ‘point of sale’ system and is basically just the term used for whichever set-up you have in place for taking face-to-face transactions. It isn’t a specific machine or an isolated process, it’s the byproduct of a number of elements that, together, let you take payments in-person. The way your POS system looks and functions will vary depending on a few things, like: