Small business card readers

Small business owners, we salute you. It’s no mean feat turning your passion and vision into a reality, and we see day in, day out, the hard work that goes into running a business, so we want to do our bit to help you flourish.

The ability to accept payment by card shouldn’t be underestimated by businesses. Payment on plastic has overtaken cash in recent years as the most popular way to purchase, in no small part due to how convenient it is for consumers. 

Happy consumers become loyal customers, and loyal customers are the backbone of small businesses, so chances are you want in on the action. But with so many options on the market, which card reader is right for your small business?

When we said we wanted to help, we meant it, so here’s everything you need to know about the small business card readers on offer.

Disclaimer: as we said, it’s a crowded market. So, for the purposes of clarity, we’ll cover the specifics of the card readers we offer here at takepayments. 

Countertop

Countertop card machines allow you to take card payments from your till point, making them ideal for businesses with a fixed payment point like sandwich shops and clothing stores.

They work by plugging directly into your phone line or broadband (they’ll also require a plug socket) and come in a neat and compact design so your point of sale won’t look cluttered or untidy.

Our machines come with a super quick set up guide too, so you’ll be up and running, taking payments in no time at all. Plus, they have integrated, fast thermal receipt printers to make your customer service speedier and more convenient than ever. 

Good to know: if technology really isn’t your thing don’t sweat it, our support team will be on hand every step of the way.  

Portable

With a portable machine, you can take card payments to your customers within a 50-meter radius, making them perfect for cafes, bars and restaurants, as well as businesses who like to interact with their customers on the shop floor. 

Adopting wireless Bluetooth technology, portable machines don’t involve cables and wires so you won’t need to worry about tangles and trips on the move. When you finally clock out for the day all you’ll need to do it pop your reader back on its base so it’s fully charged for another busy day.

Good to know: our portable machines hold a long battery charge, so a full charge will last you all day. 

Portable machines are compact, lightweight, and super easy to set up thanks to the step-by-step installation guide.

Mobile

With a mobile card machine, you can accept card payments on the go, from anywhere in the UK, so they’re perfect for small businesses who take their services on the road like tradesmen, mobile hairdressers and taxi drivers. 

They work in a very similar way to mobile phones, using 4G technology which connects to the strongest GPRS signal available via a sim card. 

Here at takepayments, our mobile readers come in two parts: the machine itself and a charging base. They hold a long battery life, so an overnight charge at the end of the day will keep you going for the following one.

Good to know: you’ll also get a micro USB that you can plug into your car and give your reader a quick energy boost, should you ever forget to charge it overnight. 

Set up is simple and straightforward too (are you noticing a theme?), the machines are light and durable and have an inbuilt fast thermal receipt printer so you can give your customer a copy there and then. 

Contactless

We’ve been asked by business owners before if we offer a contactless card reader, and the short answer is yes. In fact, all of our card machines; countertop, portable and mobile, are set up to accept contactless payments as standard. 

So, whichever small business card reader is the right fit for you, you’ll be able to offer your customers the convenience of paying contactlessly for goods and services up to the value of £30. 

Our machines also accept all the major credit and debit cards including (but not limited to) MasterCard, American Express, Maestro and Visa, plus your customers can pay using Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Android Pay (aka Google Pay) using our readers.

Link to an EPOS system

If you want to take your payment systems to the next level and access all the fabulous features of an EPOS till system, we can help you with a multi-award-winning EPOS Now Pro C15 till system. 

For more information on all things EPOS head here.

The benefits of accepting card payments

Setting your small business up with a card reader will come with heaps of perks and benefits, including:

• Giving consumers the convenience of paying the way they want to. 
• Eliminating the risk of turning a customer away if they’re not carrying cash.
• Quicker check-out speed, reducing waiting time at tills.
• Less cash to manage which is not only safer but saves time at the end of every day.
• Using a mobile machine you’ll get paid on the spot rather than sending an invoice and waiting for payment.
• With a portable machine, you can take the payment to the person, making their experience with your business effortless.  

Safety

Last but not least let’s talk about safety. We’ve already alluded to the fact that card machines are a safer alternative to carrying cash - reducing the risk of theft or accidental loss, but the security features don’t stop there.

All of our small business card readers are PCI compliant as standard - protecting both you and your customers’ data from fraud. 

Contactless payments are capped at a £30 spend - restricting the damage that could be done if a card got into the wrong hands. Chip and PIN technology kicks in for transactions above this point, which encrypts both your and your customers’ card details - reducing the chance of fraud and protecting your information. 

Remember: to accept card payments you’ll need to be PCI compliant on your end too, and we’ll help you get there with our dedicated PCI compliance team who’re only ever a phone call away. 

Whether you know which card reader you’re after or want a helping hand deciding which machine is the best fit for your small business, we can help. We have a great range of card reader for small businesses, so you're bound to find one just right for you. 

Here at takepayments, we have local expert consultants across the UK who’ll visit your business, find out what makes it tick, and develop a personalised package to suit you. After all, no two businesses are the same, right? 

We also offer contracts from 30 days, because helping small businesses succeed is our bread and butter. To get the ball rolling get in touch today on 08082 397003.

Bryony Pearce

Copywriter