Every small business needs to have a credit card reader; you can’t grow your business if you can’t process payments. But how do you choose the credit card reader for your business? If you want it to connect to your desktop computer, you should focus on that functionality.
It’s now quite common to find credit card readers that connect to mobile devices rather than desktops. That said, you can still choose from plenty of excellent options.
In this article, we’ll go over some tips that will help you choose the right card reader for your needs.
Tips for Choosing a Credit Card Reader
When selecting credit card readers that you can use with a desktop computer, keep the following factors in mind to help you make an appropriate choice for your business.
Ease of Setup and Use
Ease of setup and use are among the most important things to look for in a desktop credit card reader. Check whether you need to install a program on your PC or Mac to use the reader. You should also pay attention to background checks, credit checks, and other potential hoops to jump through before you can get the card reader.
Ability to Accept EMVs
Nowadays, you don’t want to get a credit card reader that only uses a magnetic stripe. You must be able to accept chip-and-PIN cards. These will require EMV compatibility. The good news is that this is a standard feature for most card readers due to the high demand for it.
Deposit Time
Like any other part of your POS system, pay attention to how long it will take for you to receive the funds in your account. The duration will likely depend on the payment processing and the card reader itself. Factor in the payment processing offered with your chosen card reader.
Integrations
The software used to process credit cards frequently integrates with other software used by your small business. Account integrations are among the most popular. So, it is worth confirming that the software accompanying your chosen card reader is compatible with other systems in your business.
Customer Service and Support
If your card reader stops working properly, you won’t be able to accept payments, which can be incredibly damaging for your small business. Reduce the risk of failed payments by choosing a company that offers live customer support that is easy to reach.
Company Reputation
Always choose a credit card reader from a company with a good reputation. You need to be able to trust them to handle your money. You should look at the overall reputation of the company, as well as reviews for the card reader and the accompanying software.
Scalability
Plan on growing your small business in the future? Make sure to choose a card reader that works with a scalable system. As your business expands, you should be able to buy additional card readers and connect them to your existing system with ease.
Security
Make sure to choose PCI-compliant card readers. This will protect your company’s and customers’ sensitive information.
Pricing
Of course, you will also want to consider the pricing for your chosen card reader. Do you have to pay for the card reader itself, or does it come free with the software? Are there monthly fees to budget for? Are there minimum charges? Once again, make sure you factor in payment processing and hardware fees.
