Step-by-Step Guide On How To Get The Best Credit Card Machine
Written by Evelina (InvoiceBerry.com) on May 30, 2016
Unlike in the past when paying for goods and services using plastic cards seemed like a luxury, clients all over the world are nowadays using cards for almost all of their transactions.
That’s why even small businesses today are being faced with the need to invest in credit card machines for purposes of processing and accepting payments from their clients.
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Regardless of the type and size of your small business, getting a good credit card machine that best suits your small business’ needs can help you lower processing costs while at the same time help you increase your profits.
But while there may be several types of credit machines out there, picking the right credit card machine can turn out to be a huge challenge, especially if you don’t know anything about credit card machines or you don’t know where to begin your search for the best machine
This article will walk you through the process of picking the right credit card machine that perfectly suits your business needs.
But firstly it’s important to familiarize yourself with the advantages of credit card machines so that you can figure out which one of them suits your needs best.
What are the benefits of credit card machines?
Having a credit card machine for your small business makes plenty of sense, thanks to the fact that there are several benefits that you can get after investing in a good credit machine card for your business.
Below are three major benefits you can get from investing in a credit card machine:
1. Increased sales
A credit card machine won’t only enable you to accept credit card payments from your clients, but it can also broaden the scope of payment methods hence making your products and services readily available to both prospective and current clients alike.
Having a credit card machine gives your clients the ability to make purchases whenever they like even when they don’t have cash on hand. This can boost your sales over time.
2. Improved cash flow
A credit card machine can help speed up the payment process, in the sense that you won’t have to wait for checks to be cleared or invoices to be paid.
Once clients pay using their credit cards, the cash is then deposited directly into the designated bank account within a matter of minutes.
This can result to increased cash flow, which can have a significant benefit for your business over time.
3. Enhanced business image
A credit card machine won’t only make it easier for you to accept credit cards, but it can also help give you and your business valuable credibility.
A business that accepts credit cards will be deemed to be world class’ by both prospective and current clients. This can translate to increased sales and revenue in the long-run.
Who needs credit card machines and why?
Nearly every type of business needs a credit card machine regardless of its size and nature.
This is because most people across the world nowadays are increasingly turning to credit cards for purposes of making their purchases.
It, therefore, means that any business that only relies on the traditional methods of payments (i.e. cash) risks losing clients in the long-run.
Different types of credit card machines
Credit card machines are largely be categorized into two categories:
- Traditional/Countertop credit card machines
- Mobile and wireless credit card machines
1. Traditional/Countertop credit card machine
Traditional/Countertop credit card machines are suitable for face-to-face credit card processing. They are ideal for small businesses such as grocery stores and retail stores.
These machines are designed to detect and read the credit cards’ magnetic stripe.
Traditional credit card machines require either internet or phone connection for purposes of sending information for authorization and processing.
Here are some of the traditional credit card machines that are mostly used by small businesses across the globe:
VeriFone Vx570
VeriFone Vx570 uses an internet connection or a standard phone line.
It packs great features and functions that make it an ideal choice for small business owners.
VeriFone Vx570 has an ATM-style customer interface alongside an integrated thermo printer, hence making it easy to learn and use.
It features a sleek design, something that makes it suitable for business owners with limited counter space.
It supports debit, credit, loyalty and gift cards and transactions can be processed via a phone line or through the internet.
The credit card machine VeriFone Vx570 has a triple-track card reader designed to support all types of magnetic stripe cards.
Ingenico iCT250
Ingenico iCT250 is built with secure and powerful card payment processing in mind. It provides fast and reliable card processing in a traditional business setting.
It has a built-in printer that is designed to provide clients receipts devoid of additional equipment. Ingenico iCT250 bright color display offers high visibility for clients and staff.
The traditional credit card machine Ingenico iCT250 accepts several types of payments as clients upgrade to new technology. Its large memory capacity can hold numerous processing applications, hence making credit card transactions fast and easy.
VeriFone VX 520
VeriFone VX 520 is one of the most reliable and fastest traditional/countertop credit card machine.
It offers easy to use features and cutting-edge technology, which business owners and clients alike will definitely appreciate.
Its contactless card capability enables business owners to accept a wide array of cards.
VeriFone VX 520 credit card machine has an ergonomic, sleek design, making it a top choice for business owners with minimal counter space.
With a 500 MB capacity, the credit card machine is capable of supporting other important applications such as check services.
This traditional credit card machine VeriFone VX 520 is designed with flexibility and security in mind, hence making it ideal for the needs of any small business.
Ingenico iCT220CTL
The credit card machine Ingenico iCT220CTL is designed with robust daily use and easy handling in mind.
It supports multiple payment options while at the same time occupying minimal counter space.
This traditional countertop credit card machine Ingenico iCT220CTL has a backlit keypad alongside a colorful LCD display, which helps in enhancing menu navigation and PIN entry.
Ingenico iCT220CTL has a wide array of great features that make accepting and processing payments quite easy.
Some of these features include magnetic stripe, NFC/contactless payment options, as well as, couponing and wallet applications.
Mobile and wireless credit card machines
These credit card machines can be used away from the storefront.
The main advantage of these machines is that they’re designed to accept credit card payments whenever and wherever the sale arises.
They’re best suited for business owners who operate away from traditional business setting.
Here are some of the most popular mobile and wireless credit card machines that are used by small business owners across the world:
First Data FD 50
The wireless credit card machine First Data FD 50 offers a simple, reliable and affordable option to give your clients the security and payment choices they need.
First Data FD 50 is suitable for mid-sized and small businesses that require full-services payment processing at a lower price. It’s one of the strongest and most durable mobile and wireless credit card machines, thanks to its compact design.
With this mobile credit card machine, you can receive payments from your clients almost anywhere.
VeriFone VX 680
The mobile and wireless credit card machine VeriFone VX 680 is ideal for small businesses on-the-go, thanks to the fact that it’s parked with powerful features designed for purposes of enabling such businesses to accept debit and credit cards almost anywhere.
VeriFone VX 680 also delivers unmatched memory and speed, hence giving business owners the ability to process payments anywhere and anytime.
VeriFone VX 680 wireless credit card machine features an optional built-in contactless technology that opens the door for multiple payment options.
How to pick the best credit card machine?
1. Look at the features
While most credit card machines have similar features like magnetic stripe reader, printer and keypad, it’s, however, important to go for a credit card machine that has enhanced features so as to meet all the credit card processing needs of your clients.
Some of the enhanced features that you should look for in a machine include flash memory, external PIN pad, ability to detect and read proprietary cards and check processing among other features.
2. Check the user-friendliness
While there is nothing wrong with picking a credit card machine that has sophisticated features, you should, however, settle for the one that’s easy to use.
This is crucial to ensuring that you’re able to process credit card transactions within the shortest time possible.
3. Consider your clients’ needs
When picking a credit card machine, it’s imperative you put your clients’ needs into consideration first.
If most of your clients prefer to pay with different types of cards for instance, then you should look for a machine that allows for multiple card payment options.
On the other hand, if your clients are concerned about security of their personal details when making card payments, then you should pick a credit card machine that comes with the latest credit card machine security features.
4. Purchase from reputable manufacturers
All credit card machines aren’t created equally because they’re simply made by different manufacturers.
To ensure that the machine that you’re just about to pick can meet your needs, as well as, those of your clients, it’s important you purchase the machine from a well-known or reputable manufacturer.
Reputable manufacturers such as VeriFone have a proven track record of producing versatile and high quality credit card machines, and hence you can be sure that any type of machine that you purchase from them can meet all your business needs.
Conclusion
Investing in a credit card machine can bring lots of benefits to your business. It’s actually one of the simple things that you can do to take your business to a whole new level. Therefore, make a point of investing in one today.
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