3 on the go payment options for small businesses

Does your business require you to constantly be on the move?

If your business doesn’t have a physical location, then setting up a quick on the go checkout for your customers is a must.

Not only are upfront payments better for your cash flow, many people expect a modern payment option and will appreciate the convenience of a cashless transaction.

The new payment system you pick will depend on the services you offer, the type of customers you have and what you’re willing to spend on processing payments. We look at 3 on the go payment options that may work best for your small business.

• What is a payment on the go?
• Top on the go card payment solutions
• Best POS card reader
• Payment on the go FAQ

What is a payment on the go?

A payment on the go is a fast and seamless transaction that is typically contactless. This could be a payment that you do while travelling, working in a tight space or if you’re not physically present with your customer. These range from QR code payments to NFC payments.

Top on the go card payment solutions

1. Mobile card readers

Lugging around a bulky and expensive card reader is no longer necessary to accept payments. Now, with new technological advancements, a small and nifty card reader is all you need.

Modern mobile card readers are portable, lightweight and make it simple for customers to tap, swipe or insert their card. To work, the card reader typically needs connectivity through 3G and WiFi or Bluetooth, and a corresponding card reader app for a phone or tablet.

Here are some of the pros and cons of using mobile card readers:

Pros:

• ‍Security. Chip and PIN technology mean credit card transactions are heavily encrypted so you'll receive most payments without any disputes.
• ‍Fast, simple transactions. Customers can pay with Visa, Mastercard or mobile payments (Apple Pay or Google Pay).
• ‍No physical cash. You don’t have to carry cash or deposit cash in your bank account at the end of the day.

Cons:

• ‍May need a merchant account. Certain card machines need a merchant account which will require additional fees.
• ‍Separate mobile card reader. You’ll still need to carry around an extra piece of hardware that could get lost or stolen.
• ‍Connectivity issues. You may have trouble connecting in certain areas - although some mobile card readers work without the internet.
• ‍Pricing. As well as the rental or purchase of the card machine, you need to consider set-up fees, transaction fees and contract fees.

2. PayPal Business

PayPal is a well-known e-money payment platform that recently expanded to offer merchant services. Registered business owners can sign up to PayPal Business and access features such as international payments, money transfers, cash advances, a debit Mastercard and card readers for in-store checkout processes.

There are two ways mobile business owners can use PayPal for on the go payments:

1. Send an online invoice to an email account.
2. Use a card reader with a PayPal mobile app.

Pros

• ‍Customers don’t need a PayPal account. You can create and send an invoice and customers click on the link and pay by debit card or credit card.
• ‍Customers can pay directly by credit card. The card reader accepts most credit cards if you have a network or WiFi connection.
• ‍PayPal Seller Protection Policy. Protects you from disputes that goods or services weren’t received.

Cons

• ‍Waiting for the email invoice. PayPal email requests may get sent to spam or promotions folders.
• ‍Extra hardware. Again the card reader is a separate piece of hardware that you need in order to accept credit cards.
• ‍Account freezing. PayPal may randomly freeze your account and hold funds for 180 days if it detects an unexpected spike in revenue.  
• ‍Costs. Processing fees are some of the highest on the market, ranging from 1.9 to 3.5% per transaction. You may need to pay an extra fee for certain credit card payments.

3. Pomelo Pay

Here at Pomelo Pay we have our own solution for small businesses looking for card readers. The Pomelo Pay app allows you to accept QR code payments, payment links and tap to pay contactless payments. By using QR codes you can turn your mobile phone into a POS and start accepting payments from anywhere.

With payment links, you can send a secure link to a payment page if you’re accepting the payment on the phone or through an invoice. This is far more convenient than organising bank transfers.

The unique QR code is encrypted and only stores and digitally presents the data required for the transaction, so no customer details or card information is stored. You also won’t need to be connected to the internet and can literally accept payments from anywhere. Your only requirement is a Pomelo Pay account and a smartphone.

Pros

• ‍No separate mobile card reader. All you need is a mobile device, the Pomelo Pay app and you’re ready to accept payments.
• ‍No downtime if you misplace your phone. Just reinstall the app on another device and log in.
• ‍Less cost involved. Only one low flat fee for all payment processing, no setup costs or monthly fees. At Pomelo Pay we charge 1.49% per transaction.
• ‍More secure than cards. Information is encrypted and customer details aren’t stored with the seller or app provider.
• ‍No connectivity issues. You don’t need to be connected to the internet to accept a payment.
• ‍Quick and painless. No more waving your card reader around searching for a good connection!
• ‍No more chasing invoices. Send your payment link directly to your client through SMS or email so they can pay on time.
• ‍Accept contactless payments. No more dirty card terminals. Your customers just need to tap their card and go.

Cons

• ‍Lack of familiarity. Customers may not be familiar with using QR codes for payment and need instruction or guidance the first time.
• ‍Depends on a smartphone. In the unlikely event that a customer doesn’t have a smartphone with a camera app, they won’t be able to use this payment method.

Which is the best POS card reader for you?

Technology is constantly evolving - so how can you keep up with the best payment services for small businesses? At the end of the day, the best option is always the fastest, cheapest and most cost-efficient one.

At Pomelo Pay, we offer several small business payment options that offer great functionality and can be adapted to how your customers prefer to pay. You won’t need to invest in additional hardware, you won’t have to worry about connectivity issues and banking information is completely secure and encrypted.

Payment on the go FAQ

What is a tap and go payment?

Tap and go is a feature that allows businesses to take card payments by tapping cards directly onto a phone like you would for a card machine. With Pomelo Pay’s upcoming Tap to Pay, customers can pay for their items quickly and easily - without merchants needing to rely on expensive and heavy card machines.

What’s the cheapest card reader?

Pomelo Pay is one of the cheapest card readers on the market. With a transaction fee of just 1.49%, businesses can accept payments without the upfront cost or maintenance of a regular card reader.

Can I use my phone as a card reader?

Yes, with the Pomelo Pay app you can turn your phone into a payment terminal. You can accept contactless payments with Tap to Pay, QR code payments and remote payments.

Can I accept online payments?

Yes, many payment processors will also allow you to accept payments if you would like an ecommerce platform as well. At Pomelo Pay, our solution will provide you with an online payment gateway that will enable your online store to accept secure payments.

If you are a small business owner and would like to learn about our point of sale system, get in touch with us at Pomelo Pay to speak to our customer support team.