Accept Credit Card Payments During the Holiday Season

Accepting credit cards is always good for business, but it is particularly important to be able to accept them during the holiday season. Businesses that open up a merchant account and start accepting credit cards see an increase in sales almost immediately, and given that people like to spend during the holidays, it stands to reason that the increase in sales will have even more impact during this time. This article will discuss opening a merchant account and starting to process credit card payments during the holiday season.

1. Customers can take advantage of greater savings

Shoppers are always on the lookout for the best bargains during the holiday season, and if you can save them money, you will have a definite competitive advantage. This can start with in-store discounts of course, but credit cards themselves offer a great way to save money. Credit card issuers offer a reward point system. These points can be used to redeem goods and services once they reach a certain threshold. When used wisely, credit cards can offer tremendous savings to your customers, which incentivizes them to spend more money with you.

2. You will have access to a bigger customer base

If you note in your advertising or on your website that you accept credit cards, you will be able to draw in more customers. Some people will not purchase from a store if it does not accept their preferred method of payment. This is especially true for credit card holders. On top of that, cash is being used less and less, with credit cards seeing a continuous rise in popularity. In one survey, it was revealed that 51% of US adults below the age of 30 hate using cash to make payments, with a similar trend going through the other age brackets. Accepting credit cards will improve your customers’ lives and allow them to shop in a way that suits them best.

3. Customers have tremendous incentives to purchase using credit cards

Using a credit card lets online shoppers feel secure.  Think about it: how do you feel about sending cash or a check off in the mail, hoping you will receive what you paid for and that the merchant will stand behind their product?  With a credit card, customers can show proof that you paid the merchant, and they will have a recourse if they don’t receive their purchase.  That’s one reason that a lot of customers have the belief that reputable businesses usually take credit cards and disreputable business usually do not.

The holiday season is a time for great joy, and customers are willing to spend more in order to spread it. There are family dinners, gifts, parties, and decorations to take into consideration for the holidays. By accepting credit cards, not only will you be able to increase your sales for the season, you will be giving your clients the opportunity to save money and benefit from all of the features that come with using a credit card.

For more information on credit card usage during the holidays, or to sign up for a merchant account, please call (888) 924-2743 or go to Charge.com.