A card machine for business is a type of hardware with technologies that allow them to accept payments and provide cash funds by collecting card information from payment cards. In other words, a card machine is a device that accepts credit or debit cards, but most commonly refers to terminals used for card payments. In addition to being conveniently small, modern card machines can be used in a shop, at a market stall, or if you have to move around from location to location. It is possible to accept card payments anywhere and at any time through card machines such as portable or mobile card machines.
Using a card machine will reduce your expenses by saving you time and reducing the amount of manpower needed to operate your business. You will also be able to boost your business by using card payment machines in a world where customers are relying more on card payments. The basic function of a card machine for business is to authorise transactions. Modern card machines are more than just a means of card transactions. They also feature accounting, inventory management, and customer data analysis functions.
It’s no doubt a card machine is an essential addition to any business. So, you must get one card machine for business to stay competitive.
Different types of UK company card machines
Several companies in the UK offer card payment services to different categories of Vendors, including UTP, SumUp, Square, Zettle, and TakePayments. But which one is the best suited for you? Just keep reading as we are analysing card machines in the UK to find the best card machine that suits your business.
UTP
As a newcomer in 2013, introducing their card machine for business to the UK market, UTP has demonstrated that they analysed the failures of their predecessors to be a flawless company. That’s why they are one of the top companies that are providing card payment machines in the UK market. They are partners with Barclaycard Payment Acceptance, one of the UK’s largest financial institutions, and all their credit card payment machines come with the latest security and technology.
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to start accepting credit and debit card payments using a card machine for business or if you’re switching providers, UTP offers competitive rates, fast setup, and hassle-free card payment options that help you maximise sales while saving you money. In addition, UTP also funds your accounts on the same day, which makes it faster than any other company in the industry.
As well as integrating contactless technology, UTP’s card machine for business is configured to accept up to £100 in contactless transactions. As an added benefit, UTP card machines come with low transaction fees in the UK market- making them ideal for small-scale businesses. Also, their card machines are designed with sleep mode facilities to conserve the battery life of card machines, giving vendors high battery backup while using portable or mobile card machines.
Besides providing card payment machines, UTP Merchant Services also provides maintenance services. They have dedicated UK-based helpdesk specialists who specialise in remote credit card machine diagnostics.
Customers have provided great feedback about their customer service, so purchasing their card machines for business is not a concern. The company is ranked among the top companies when it comes to customer service. By buying their services from UTP, any type of business, from small to large, will be able to avoid headaches related to service breaches.
SumUp
It is noteworthy that SumUp card payment machines receive 3.6 out of 5 for affordability due to their low transaction fees (just 1.69%) and clear, flat-rate pricing. They are ideal for beginners and business owners wanting to keep costs low cause of the competitive condition in the market.
The card machine for business has everything you need to start growing your business, but don’t expect it to have all the bells and whistles at this price point. A good analytics platform to help grow your business, free unlimited mobile data, and affordable transaction fees are some of the top benefits of the SumUp card payment machines.
Square
Designed for small business owners who want to keep costs low and still get the best features – such as integrating the accompanying POS software with food delivery apps or customer relationship management systems (a feature that contributed to Square’s features score of 3.5 out of 5).
Square card machine for business is high-tech devices that allow customers to input pins on their phones without tapping buttons on a keypad. It might be unconventional, but Square’s products are guaranteed to meet the highest security standards. A high-spec integration with Square’s e-commerce software portfolio gives Square a high rating as an e-commerce tool.
Zettle
There is a thin line separating business from new ventures. As a result, Zettle advertises itself as an instant way to turn any idea into a business success.
The Zettle by PayPal card payment machines can be used for instantaneous payments if you have a smartphone. Tablets and smartphones can be synchronised with the card machine for business to accept card payments on the go. You can ask customers for their email addresses if they need a receipt. It also integrates with third-party infrastructure, so transactions are not restricted to the Zettle card machine for business alone.
Takepayments
There are several card machines available for sale in the UK, but they require a minimum 18-month contract. The short-term contract offered by Takepayments competes with the competition on a global level, but at a significantly lower cost.
Merchants with established businesses should consider Takepayments, as their long-term payment solutions. You get a full-featured merchant account with the best rates available for your business, a high-end card machine for business, and excellent customer service. There are better fees for small businesses over a £2k sales threshold each month, so it’s also a great option for them.
Impact of card machine on UK businesses
UK businesses today have many more choices when it comes to card machines than they did a few years ago. In the past, small businesses used bulky chips and PIN card machine for business at their counter, but now they can complement their cash registers with mobile card readers. With the advent of more variety of card payment machines on the market, even small businesses can now accept card payments. Increasingly, UK merchants are opting for card payment machines due to their convenience and affordability.
Businesses that process less than £40k in card transactions per month will benefit from the contactless card machines on this shortlist.
