Accepting client credit card payments online has so many advantages for design firms. The trend toward small business acceptance of credit card payments is strong and is becoming more and more of an expectation of clients. Accepting credit card payments online gives your business an instant facelift by showing you are using the most modern technology and increasing your already fantastic level of customer service!Accepting credit cards means credibility to the client, and to you it means a whole lot more–see our top reasons to change to online credit card payments below.
Reduce Staff Time Running Credit Cards and Visiting the Bank
Collecting client payments online means staff no longer have to spend as much time administering payments on behalf of clients. You may not need to keep track of client credit card numbersanymore, as the client would make payments themselves. If credit cards fail, staff won’t have to chase clients and figure out how to collect the payment (not to mention the awkward conversation!). There is also a significant reduction in trips to the bank to deposit client cheques, as payments happen online and are deposited directly to your bank account.
Maintain Cash Flow
Having your clients pay by cheque may not be the best way to ensure your clients pay in a timely manner. Providing an invoice to a client that includes a payment link is the quickest and simplest way for a client to pay–making it more likely for them to pay you on time. No more waiting weeks on the arrival of a cheque, taking it to the bank, and then waiting further for it to clear the bank. So much time can be cut out of the collections process when online credit card payments become a part of your business! Stabilize your design firm’s cash flow with this most modern form of payment collection.
Get Rid of Hardware
Online payment services mean you can ditch any hardware needed to run credit card payments. With processing completely online, you avoid the setup of the hardware, maintenance, training, and clutter of these devices. Having no hardware rental charges is an added benefit!
Reduce Fees
More often than not, the fees involved with collecting online credit card payments are the least expensive. Choose a software platform that has integrated with an online credit card payment system where there are no setup fees, no monthly fees, and where the transaction fees are consistent no matter what type of credit card is being processed. Also ensure you have control over which client invoices will include a payment link for the client to pay online–this way, you have control over what fees you are paying for the use of the service.
Time Is Money–Automate Some of the Administration
It’s very likely that accepting credit card payments reduces administration time for design firms as well. For example, some companies have integrated with an online payment system so that when the client makes a payment, the associated accounting for that payment (the cash receipt) is automatically posted in the software. This takes some of the admin burden off of staff and ensures accounts receivable reports are always up to date.
