Are you losing business by only accepting cash and…

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Many mobile business owners and professionals struggle with payment options. While on the road, moving from job site (or client) to job site, it can be difficult to keep things organized. Most small business owners have the luxury of a storefront, cash register and credit card processing terminal. For them, there’s no guesswork or potential “run-around” involved—either the money is in the card, or it isn’t.

Mobile business owners, such as landscapers, traders, craft fair vendors, and others do not have this luxury. Most are limited to accepting cash or checks; The latter without any guarantee that there are funds in the account. It can be difficult for them to find a payment method that is convenient for both them and their customer, especially for large priced items. Unfortunately, this can often mean that the sale occurs at a brick and mortar merchant instead, simply because they accept credit cards and/or offer a financing option that doesn’t involve some type of collection arrangement.

(In other words, the credit card company acts as a “creditor” for them in a sense, and gives the customer a self-directed financing plan on their own terms.)

Are you losing sales because you don’t or can’t accept credit cards? This is a problem shared by many mobile business owners. Imagine how many sales would have happened at your last trade show or job fair if paying large amounts was easier and more convenient for your customers.

Customers are carrying less and less cash. We are fast becoming a plastic consumer society and few people like to bother with the hassle of cash or check books anymore. They prioritize the ease and convenience of their credit or debit cards. Are you missing out on valuable sales because you don’t accept this most convenient method of payment?

Many business owners also prefer credit cards. They provide the advantage of instant approval. No more waiting days for a check to clear and money to be credited to your account. Credit cards provide 24 hour payment in a 24 hour world. Payment on demand can be processed instantly.

What if there was a way for you to accept credit cards from your mobile office or place of work? With this you will be able to set up your business from anywhere, anytime. Why should brick and stone business get all the customers?

What will it do for your business? Your business could potentially grow by leaps and bounds – and you’ll be making life a lot easier for both your customers and yourself.

Here’s the good news – you actually have options. Here are two solutions you should consider:

1. Use a wireless credit card terminal.

If you have a large number of small-sized transactions in your typical business day (for example, a pizza delivery business that averages 40 sales per day for less than $30), you may want to consider getting a wireless credit card processing machine. Should be seriously considered.

Your monthly fee for the merchant account (and equipment, if leased) will be average, as will the discount rate per sale, but the convenience factor in addition to the potential increase in sales from customers who don’t necessarily have cash on hand The monthly fee is likely to more than offset that, and then some.

2. Accept Credit Cards by Phone

Now, if you run a business where you’re only closing a few sales a day, but at a high ticket ($x00 – $x,000), you can reduce the cost of your merchant account due to your credit card. The transaction will be more than an occasional event – even though it will certainly affect your business in terms of convenience, efficiency and potentially sales.

For example, if you own a landscape business where the average transaction is $600, you may find that many customers will want to take advantage of their card’s built-in reward points (such as “air miles”), flexible financing, and more. – or in most cases, both of these additional benefits combined.

The advantage to you is that the credit doesn’t “bounce” and in most cases, you’ll have access to the funds much faster than with a check.

Now, here’s the best part – you can accept credit card payments on the spot from any touch-tone phone, including your cellular.

Also, the major “pay by phone” services available have very low monthly fees and operate in a “pay as you go” manner.

It’s the perfect solution for a mobile business – or professional – where occasional credit card transactions are necessary (and profitable) but don’t entirely warrant the hassle of using a traditional terminal.

Some services cost as little as a few bucks a month at around 4% per sale.

So there you have it – two very viable options for mobile business types who would otherwise be stuck in the “dark ages” of cash and check payments.

Do your due diligence to see which service may be best for you and your customers.

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