takepayments blog.
Tuesday, 30 December 2025
What is an EPOS system? A guide to faster, smarter business payments
Cast your mind back to those clunky tills that needed everything typed in manually. Staff frantically punching in prices whilst customers queued out the door, hoping they'd keyed in the right amount before hitting total. Thankfully, those chaotic days are behind us. Electronic point of sale (EPOS) systems have completely transformed how small businesses operate, turning what used to be a stressful transaction into a smooth, seamless experience for both you and your customers.
Friday, 10 October 2025
What to do when your card machine isn’t working (and how to prevent it)
In 2024, card payments accounted for 57% of consumer and business spending in the UK, so when your machine goes down, it's bad news. You're not alone, though: in 2024, the CrowdStrike software update crashed millions of systems worldwide. Nine leading UK banks and building societies, including Nationwide, NatWest Group, and HSBC, racked up over 800 hours of unplanned tech and systems outages in the last two years.
Friday, 05 September 2025
How to set up online payments: A step-by-step guide for small businesses
With ecommerce users in the UK predicted to reach 62.1 million in 2025 and online sales accounting for over a quarter of all retail sales in the UK (26.1%), accepting online payments is essential for businesses today, no matter your size or industry. Whether you’re running an online store or offering services that can be paid for online, setting up a reliable and secure payment system makes it easier for customers to buy from you. So, how do you get started?
Tuesday, 26 August 2025
What is a Bacs payment? How to transfer money with Bacs
Running a business means handling payments day in and day out, from paying your staff to collecting money from customers. While there are plenty of ways to move money around, one of the most trusted methods in the UK is the Bacs payment. But what is Bacs, and how does it work for businesses?
Friday, 01 August 2025
A guide to Apple Pay for merchants: How it works and how to accept Apple Pay transactions
When it comes to mobile wallets, Apple Pay has become one of the leading choices for shoppers across the UK. Apple Pay is a fast, secure, and increasingly popular mobile payment solution available on Apple devices like iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads, and Macs. Used by over 500 million consumers worldwide in nearly 100 countries, it continues to transform how consumers pay, and how businesses get paid.
Thursday, 31 July 2025
How to safely take card payments over the phone
While contactless and chip and PIN payments are super handy for speedy customer service, taking card payments over the phone is a great way to connect with more people who can’t visit your business in person. But with nearly half of UK landline users receiving suspicious phone calls imitating or ‘spoofing’ well-known businesses or government departments, it has never been more important to follow the right steps to reassure your customers that their details are safe.
Thursday, 17 July 2025
A guide to different payment methods
Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, booking a flight, or shopping online, chances are you’ve been faced with a variety of payment options. But with so many methods available, choosing the right one for your business can sometimes feel overwhelming. In February 2025, UK shoppers made over 1.4 billion contactless card transactions, but what other payment types should you consider for your business? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most popular payment methods out there and give you the tips you need to decide which one works best for your business.
Thursday, 03 July 2025
What is Credit Card Processing and How Does it Work?
Whether it's buying a coffee on the go or snagging that last-minute online deal, a complex chain of events happens behind the scenes of each card transaction to ensure every penny finds its way to where it’s meant to be. Over 11.6 million card transactions are made every day, so that’s a lot of steps that must be carried out to keep your customers happy – and your business running.
Friday, 13 June 2025
How to get more followers on your Facebook business account
With over 3 billion active users in 2025, Facebook remains one of the best platforms for small businesses to build a following, boost engagement, and drive real sales.That’s a lot of potential consumers for businesses to reach out to and connect with. But don’t just take our word for it: So, what does that mean for your small business? Merchants who are looking to grow their consumer base and boost their bottom lines should really have a Facebook business page. Having the page is one thing, but to get your hands on all the above benefits, you need followers.