In today’s digital age, cash has become king for fewer and fewer transactions. For businesses of all sizes, accepting electronic payments is no longer an option but a necessity.
Behind the seemingly simple swipe of a card or tap of a phone lies a complex world of payment processing systems. This article unveils the inner workings of these solutions, explaining how they ensure secure and efficient funds transfers between you and your customers and breaking down what you need to consider when shopping for one.
Discover everything you need to know about choosing the right payment processing system for your small business below.
Payment Systems for Small Business: The Basics
Imagine a customer walks into your store and buys a product with their credit card. The process behind that transaction involves a fascinating series of interactions between several players, including the following:
- You (the Merchant): You’re the business owner providing the product or service.
- The Customer: The person making the purchase.
- The Payment Gateway: This acts as a secure portal that captures the customer’s payment information.
- The Payment Processor: The unseen hero, handling the authorization and transfer of funds.
- The Card Network (e.g., Visa, Mastercard): The network that facilitates communication between banks.
- The Issuing Bank: The bank that issued the customer’s credit or debit card.
- The Acquiring Bank: Your bank, which receives the processed payment from the network.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of how all these components work together:
- Customer Makes Payment: The customer swipes, dips, or taps their card (or enters information online).
- Payment Gateway Encrypts Data: The gateway captures the card details and encrypts them for secure transmission.
- Payment Processor Takes Center Stage: The encrypted data is sent to the processor, who acts as a middleman.
- Authorization Request Sent: The processor sends a request to the card network to verify sufficient funds with the issuing bank.
- Network Connects the Banks: The card network acts as a bridge, communicating with the issuing bank.
- Approval or Denial: The issuing bank checks the customer’s account and sends an approval or denial message.
- Funds Transferred (if approved): Upon approval, the funds are authorized and eventually transferred from the issuing bank to your acquiring bank. (This transfer takes a few business days).
- Transaction Complete: You receive notification of the successful transaction and can complete the sale.
That’s a lot of steps, but if you’ve ever made a payment with a credit or debit card, you know that it all happens within a few seconds!
Benefits of Small Business Payment Software
Small business payment software offers a multitude of advantages that can streamline your operations, improve customer satisfaction, and boost your bottom line. Here are some key benefits:
Increased Convenience
Customers can pay with their preferred methods, be it credit cards, debit cards, or mobile wallets, leading to faster checkout times and improved customer experience.
Enhanced Security
Payment processing systems employ robust encryption measures to safeguard sensitive customer data, reducing the risk of fraud.
Streamlined Operations
Manual tasks like invoicing and chasing payments are minimized, which frees up valuable time and resources so you can focus on core business activities.
Improved Cash Flow
Because you have faster access to funds through electronic transactions, payment processing systems can significantly improve your cash flow.
Increased Data and Insights
Many systems provide valuable data and reports on sales trends, customer behavior, and spending patterns. This information empowers you to make more data-driven decisions.
Integration Capabilities
Payment processing software can integrate with your accounting software or website, creating more efficient and automated workflows.
Competitive Edge
By offering a variety of payment options, you can attract a wider customer base and stay competitive in today’s digital marketplace.
What to Look for in a Small Business Payment Processing Tool
Choosing the right payment processing system for your small business is crucial for smooth operation and customer satisfaction. Here are some of the most critical factors to consider when making your decision:
Understanding Your Needs
First, identify the payment methods you’ll accept (credit cards, debit cards, mobile wallets, etc.). Consider whether you will need to process payments in person, online, or both, too.
Think about your transaction volume as well. Estimate your average monthly or yearly transaction volume to determine the most reasonable pricing structure.
Pricing and Fees
Speaking of pricing structures, payment processing solutions come with several different fee structures (flat-rate, tiered, etc.). Compare your options to find the best fit for your business’s transaction volume.
Remember that some processors have monthly charges on top of transaction fees as well — be sure to factor that into your budget. Similar to debit cards with no fees for customers, payments with debit cards are better for merchants as they have lower processing fees.
Security and Compliance
Ensure the processor is PCI DSS compliant and uses robust encryption to protect customer information. Look for fraud prevention tools and features to minimize fraudulent transactions as well.
Ease of Use
A user-friendly interface for you and your customers is essential for a smooth checkout experience. If possible, arrange for a free trial or demo so you can experiment with the platform and ensure it’s easy to navigate before you make a final decision.
Customer Support
Reliable customer support is essential in case any issues with your system arise.
Do some research to find out what kind of support is available (phone, email, chat, etc.) and how accessible the customer service team is. For example, are they available on nights and weekends, or can you only reach them during business hours?
Integrations
Look for a platform that can integrate with your existing solutions, especially if you already have software or other systems that you like and want to continue using. If you pick a platform that integrates well, you’ll have an easier time incorporating it into your workflows and won’t have to worry about a drop in productivity or performance.
Our Business Management Platform is a Payment Processing Solution for Small Businesses
Are you ready to find a payment processing system for your small business that checks all the boxes mentioned above? If so, Townsquare Interactive has got you covered.
Townsquare’s business management platform offers a myriad of features that can help you navigate all aspects of entrepreneurship with ease, including accepting and processing payments.
Contact us to get started today.