Card machines are essential for businesses that wish to accept payments from customers. As more and more people opt to pay with cards – especially contactless payments – when purchasing goods, card machines become even more essential.
It’s essential to find the appropriate card machine for your business, in order to avoid paying expensive hidden fees and maximize savings. Read on to discover what types of card machines are available in the UK and their advantages.
Chip and PIN
Chip and PIN card machines provide businesses with a quick, secure way to accept debit or credit cards for payment. Also referred to as PDQ machines (process Data Quickly), these devices enable businesses to process data quickly.
Chip and Pin cards are more secure than standard magnetic stripe cards because they use an encrypted code to uniquely identify you each time you make a purchase. This makes any information derived from stolen cards during transactions useless to thieves.
These machines work much faster than traditional card readers, taking only seconds to read a customer’s credit or debit card and transmit the encrypted transaction data to your merchant account. Once funds have been authorized by the bank and transferred into your business account (usually within 1-5 days), these machines provide even faster service.
Contactless
Contactless card machines are becoming more and more popular with UK shoppers as they provide a hassle-free payment experience. Not only do these machines increase customer satisfaction, reduce queues and boost sales, but they can also enhance security measures.
They accept both chip and PIN cards as well as contactless debit and credit cards. Customers simply have to tap their card on the machine’s screen to complete payment.
These card readers are used in a range of businesses such as petrol forecourts, fashion boutiques and cafes that accept debit cards at the till.
The iZettle card reader is the market leader in the UK and known for being user-friendly and versatile. It supports a wide range of card payments at an attractive rate.
In addition to Zettle, the Square Reader is another reliable option for small businesses looking to start accepting contactless card payments. Their fixed rates are comparable with Zettle’s and one of the lowest among purchased card readers.
Mobile
Mobile card machines in the UK are becoming more and more commonplace as businesses look for ways to accept payments wherever their customers are – at home, at work, in their car or while out and about. Not only does this give businesses greater flexibility but it also provides customers with fast and convenient service.
Mobile card machines provide businesses with a convenient alternative to carrying cash around, and they’re less vulnerable to theft or loss. This is especially helpful for mobile hairdressers, plumbers or taxi drivers who must get customers quickly and safely.
For most business owners, iZettle Reader is the ideal mobile card machine. This portable terminal accepts contactless and Chip & Pin payments from all major card providers such as Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay with its lightning-fast payment process that works across all UK phone networks.
Card Readers
Card readers are an essential element of any point-of-sale (POS) system. They enable your business to process card payments securely and efficiently, satisfying the demands of modern customers who expect to pay with their cards.
Card readers are commonly used to read the magnetic stripe on credit and debit cards. They may also be employed in processing contactless transactions, which are quicker and safer than cash payments.
Another type of reader is a smart card reader. These enable customers to store and process information regarding their loyalty, security or finance requirements.
A smart card reader is an invaluable addition to any business with a loyalty program or one that provides special deals for repeat customers. It may also be utilized for processing recurring payments or providing secure login on your website.
