Is it Safe to Accept Credit Cards for my Small Business?

Small businesses thrive once they accept credit card payments. Very few people carry cash in their wallets today, and if they do the amount is minimal. Statistics show that currently less than 30% of all purchases over $20 are paid for in cash. The reality: not only are credit card payments safe, they will increase your sales.

If your small business is only accepting cash or check payments, you could be turning away 70% to 80% of your potential customers. Today customers want the safety and convenience credit card payments offer, and small businesses must follow suit if they want to prosper. Changing to credit card payments can see your sales double within a week.

What makes credit card payments safe?

The key to your business’s safety is choosing the right merchant account services provider. You’ll want to partner with a service provider that is PCI compliant and offers up-to-date security, and ongoing support. That will assure you that your business’s and your customer’s data is secure when processing credit card payments. When you partner with a trusted merchant account services provider, you will get all of this and more. When processing a credit card payment, sensitive information and data are transmitted through a bank card network within seconds to be approved or declined.

And you can reassure your customers

Once your credit card payment system is set up and running, your customers can be assured that your credit card payment system is safe and secure too. Use a company with a recognized name in the credit card payment industry, and their presence and support will build not only your confidence but your customers’ as well. You will be safe in the knowledge that your card payment system is protected by all compliance and security required by the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard at all times.

There is an added safety for your small business. When you accept credit card payments, you will immediately know if the transaction is approved or declined. Bye-bye, check payments! No more unpaid invoices.

Also, holding substantial amounts of cash on your business premises is not necessarily a good idea. Taking cash home is potentially worse. No matter how safe and secure you think you are, you never know who is lurking in the shadows. By shifting your payment system to mainly credit card payments, you are securing your cash flow, and making it safer, not less safe.

If you still have any concerns about the safety of accepting credit cards for your small business, a consultant from any merchant account provider you are considering should be able to give you all the answers and assurance you need.

For more information about the safety of accepting credit cards, or to sign up for a merchant account, call (888) 924-2743 or go to Charge.com