How to take card payments in a hairdressers

Card payments are on the up and cash payments are slowing down. In fact, it’s predicted that by 2028 cash will make up as little as 9% of all payments - compared to the 60% it accounted for in 2008.

So, what does that mean for your hairdressing business? It means you’ve got to move with the times if you want to keep your customers in your chair over your competitor’s.

Why accept card payments?

Aside from the fact all the data out there tells us it’s how people prefer to pay, it could help you to:

• Attract new customers if it puts you a cut (pun intended) above your competition
• Keep hold of existing clients by giving them what they want
• Save time counting stacks of notes and piles of coins at the end of the day
• Enhance your on-site safety by reducing the amount of money laying around
• Speed up the payment process (every second helps!)
• Increase your income per transaction - according to Dun & Bradstreet, people spend 12-18% more when using credit cards over cash.

Sold? Then here are a couple of solutions that could work for you.

What’s the best way to take card payments as a hairdresser?

The answer to this largely depends on how you operate. If you own a salon yourself, a countertop card machine is probably the best road to go down. If you rent a chair, work in a salon and do home appointments in your spare time, a mobile machine is likely more suitable.

Countertop card machines

Countertop machines are really handy if you serve your customers from a single location - like your salon’s till point. It plugs straight into your broadband or phone line, needs a connection to an electrical socket and that’s it, you’re set to go.

They’re incredibly easy to set-up and use too. Once it arrives, all you need to do is turn it on, follow the on-screen instructions and voila, you’re ready to start taking card payments - credit, debit, contactless, Apple Pay or otherwise.

Mobile card machines

With a mobile card machine, you can accept card payments from a salon, your own living room or your client’s kitchen, making it perfect for hairdressers who don’t have a fixed payment point.

Just like your mobile, it uses 3G to connect to the strongest GPRS signal through a SIM card, and once a link’s been made it’s ready and raring to go.

Most mobile card machines (ours most definitely) are designed to last all day so you don’t have to worry about it dying on you before you’ve clocked off. Just pop it on charge when you’ve finished and it’ll be full of juice ready for tomorrow. 

Will I be able to accept contactless payments?

Yes, you can take contactless payments with either our countertop or mobile card machines, but your customers will be capped at £30.

Are card machines safe?

We can’t speak for everyone out there which is why it’s important to do your research first, but all our card machines are, yes. We’re fully PCI compliant across the board to protect both you and your customers however they pay, and wherever they pay. 

How much does it cost to accept card payments?

It’s difficult to give an upfront cost because it all depends on your individual circumstances. Here at takepayments, we personalise our packages to each and every client because we know no two hairdressers are exactly the same.

So, we take a slightly different approach. We send one of our payment consultants out to chat with you, get a feel for how your business works, and then we provide a quote based on what we’ve learnt. 

Don’t worry if any or all of this sounds a bit complicated, your consultant will walk you through it.

And remember, banks charge to process cash payments too, so don’t let the thought of rates and charges put you off; the benefits speak for themselves.

What do I do next?

Whether you’ve decided you want to take the plunge and get a card machine or you just want someone to speak to about it, we’re here to help on 0808 274 2017.

And if you want to read up about countertop and mobile card machines a bit more, just head here and here.

Bryony Pearce

Copywriter