How to Accept a Credit Card Payment

September 28, 2023

Accepting credit card payments is essential for businesses of all sizes. Credit cards provide customers with a convenient and secure way to make purchases, and by accepting them, you can expand your customer base and increase sales.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to accept credit card payments, whether you run a physical store or an online business.

What are Credit Card Payments?

Credit card payments are transactions in which customers use credit cards to pay for goods or services, allowing for deferred payment and often earning rewards or cashback.

However, these payments are processed through a secure system, providing convenience for both consumers and businesses.

Benefits of Accepting Credit Card Payments

Accepting credit cards offers numerous advantages for businesses, potentially leading to increased growth. Benefits include improved customer convenience, enhanced credibility, faster payment processing, and greater competitive edge, as reported by the National Federation of Independent Business.

Increased Sales: Credit cards offer convenience, expanding your customer base.
Enhanced Security: Transactions are secure, reducing the risk of cash handling.
Consumer Trust: Accepting credit cards builds trust and credibility.
Faster Payments: Credit card payments are processed quickly, improving cash flow.
Global Reach: Attract international customers with card payment options.
Tracking and Reporting: Easily monitor and analyze sales data.
Competitive Advantage: Stay competitive by offering diverse payment methods.

What Types of Businesses Can Accept Credit Card Payments?

Credit card payments can be accepted by a wide range of businesses, including:

Retail stores
Restaurants
Online shops
Service providers
Hotels
E-commerce businesses
Freelancers
Nonprofits
And virtually any entity that conducts transactions with customers.

How To Accept Credit Card Payments

You can make payments with your credit card either online, in-store, mobile payment, etc. To accept a credit card payment, you typically follow these steps:

Determine Your Credit Card Payment Acceptance Method

Start by deciding when and how you want to receive credit card payments. You have various options, such as accepting credit cards:

Online
In-person
Using a mobile card reader
Over the phone

Your choice depends on your business type. For instance, if you have a physical store, you can accept cards at the checkout or online if you run an e-commerce shop. However, if your business is mobile, a mobile card reader might be the better choice.

Select a Payment Processing Solution

When customers pay with credit cards, it involves more than just swiping or inserting the card. Their card and account details must be electronically reviewed and processed for payment authorization, which is handled digitally behind the scenes within seconds. To make this work, you’ll need a payment processor.

You can opt for one of two methods to accept credit card payments: a merchant account or payment service providers. A merchant account is a bank account used for credit card payments, while payment service providers enable credit card acceptance without setting up a merchant account.

Of these two options, payment service providers often charge lower processing and transaction fees, making them suitable for newer or lower-volume businesses. However, if your business processes a high volume of credit card sales, a merchant account might be more convenient for managing payments.

Prepare Your Credit Card Payment Software and Hardware

After setting up your credit card payment processing method, you might need to update your point of sale software and hardware to accept credit card payments.

For instance, if you operate a physical store, you might need to acquire checkout software for card payments or install an EMV chip-enabled card reader at the checkout. Some payment service providers also provide the necessary equipment for accepting credit card payments, whether in-store or through a mobile card reader.

How to Accept Credit Card Payments Online

Online credit card payments benefit various small businesses, whether they’re online-based or not, by improving customer convenience and potentially boosting sales. To accept credit card payments online:

Select a Payment Gateway: Choose a reputable online payment gateway like PayPal, Stripe, or Square.
Set Up an E-commerce Website: Create or integrate an online store or website where customers can make purchases.
Enable Secure Payment Processing: Implement encryption and security measures to protect customer data during transactions.
Display Accepted Payment Methods: Indicate that you accept credit cards on your website.
Integrate the Payment Gateway: Connect the chosen payment gateway to your website or e-commerce platform.
Test Transactions: Conduct test transactions to ensure the payment process functions smoothly.
Handle Security and Compliance: Comply with PCI DSS standards to ensure secure handling of credit card information.
Process Customer Payments: When customers make purchases, they can enter their credit card details, and the payment gateway handles the rest, authorizing and processing the payment.
Provide Confirmation: Offer confirmation receipts to customers once their payment is successfully processed.
Monitor and Manage Payments: Keep track of online sales, reconcile payments, and address any issues promptly for a seamless online shopping experience.

Credit Card Processing Fees

When accepting credit or debit card payments, you’ll typically incur the following fees:

Interchange rate: A percentage (1.5% to 3.5%) of the sale that goes to the credit card company, often higher for premium cards.
Transaction fee: The payment service provider or processor’s cut, either a flat rate per transaction or an interchange-plus model (interchange rate plus their fee).
Service fee: Some providers charge a monthly or annual subscription fee, though many small-business payment service providers, like Stripe and PayPal, primarily use flat-rate transaction fees, omitting this fee.

FAQs

Can Companies Refuse to Accept Credit Cards?

Companies can refuse to accept credit cards, but it may not be advisable as it could impact their customer base, considering the growing use of non-cash payments.

Can You Accept Credit Card Payments Without a Merchant Account?

Yes, you can accept credit card payments without a merchant account by using third-party processors, which offer a simpler way for small businesses to receive credit card payments.

How Much Do Small Businesses Pay in Credit Card Fees?

Small businesses typically pay credit card processing fees ranging from 1.5% to 3.5% of each transaction, which can be a significant expense, but the boost in sales from accepting credit cards often offsets these costs.

How to Accept a Credit Card Payment

What are Credit Card Payments?

Benefits of Accepting Credit Card Payments