5 Ways Touch-Free Payments Can Benefit Your Business
Did you know that you can accept payments from customers remotely, even during social distancing? Whether it's over the phone or with a payment link, touch-free payment solutions can keep your business running. In this blog, we breakdown exactly what touch-free payments are, and the five ways they can help grow your business.
What are zero-touch payments?
Touch-free payments, also called “contactless payments” or “remote payments,” are becoming more and more popular as cities across the country continue to practice social distancing. In short, touch-free payments allow you to accept transactions without coming into any physical contact with another person. As businesses actively try to minimize contact whenever possible, touch-free payments fit perfectly into the equation: no contact, no problem.
But how exactly can touch-free payments make a difference to your business? We’ve listed our top five reasons why they can help support your business:
1. No need to worry about cash
Now more than ever before, small business owners are starting to recognize the benefits of going cashless. When you physically hand someone cash, you’re risking the chance of passing over germs that collect on bills. That means going cashless not only keeps your wallet feeling light, but it prevents the spreading of germs through physical contact.
2. “Social distancing”-approved
In order to keep your business open and running, it’s essential to ensure that you, your employees, and your customers stay safe and healthy.
Thankfully, touch-free payment solutions allow social distancing to thrive. Not only do they reassure your customers, but zero-touch payments also support your employees’ health and safety, giving them peace of mind when they return to work. A win-win.
3. New and inspired business offerings
Instead of feeling frustrated by social distancing limitations, use this as an opportunity to diversify your business offerings! From delivery to digital classes, there are more than just a few ways to evolve your products and services to reach a remote and/or contactless market. Here are a few examples:
If you have a restaurant or food truck… Curbside pickup and delivery is made easy with contactless payments. Send a mobile payment link to your customer to pay for their pickup while they stay in their vehicle, or simply accept their card details over the phone!
If you have a gym or fitness center… Virtual classes are an easy alternative to keep your business running when students can’t be in the same space. Include a Mobile Payment link in the calendar invite for students to pay for the class before receiving the video link.
If you’re an artist or creator… Host a Virtual Studio Tour to display your work and set up 1:1 virtual sessions to discuss custom commissions. Accept payments through Mobile Payment links, or encourage Virtual Gift Cards as the perfect gift to send to friends and family.
PHOTO BY KAROLINA GRABOWSKA VIA PEXELS
4. Transact on-the-go
Today, we do almost everything from our phones or tablets, and more and more customers are using their mobile devices to keep track of their card information. That’s why touch-free payments give both your business and your customers the ease of processing transactions anytime and anywhere.
For example, SumUp’s Virtual Terminal feature allows customers to have their transactions processed over the phone, while Payment Links mean customers can enter their card information remotely from their phone. Even better, Virtual Gift Cards can be purchased directly from a phone and help secure business from customers down the road. Allowing your customers the freedom to transact anywhere at any time benefits both the customer experience and your business.
5. Checkout faster and easier
Did you know that contactless NFC payments are processed a lot quicker than EMV chip (Europay, Mastercard and Visa) transactions? They only take seconds to complete, and are just as secure as an EMV payment — and we know that quicker checkouts equal happier customers. Even better, contactless payments mean cards don’t have exchange hands, and therefore eliminate the risk of physical interactions.
PHOTO BY KATE TRIFO VIA UNSPLASH
In short, touch-free payments are an easy solution for businesses actively looking for both safe and straightforward payment solutions. Keep your business running with mobile payments from SumUp, and make transacting easier than ever before. Sign up for free and get started today!
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