How to take card payments as a small business
Customers expect to pay by card, phone or watch. Here are the main ways a UK small business can take card payments, and how to pick the right mix.
The main options
- Card machine (card terminal): a standalone device for face-to-face payments, with contactless, chip and PIN, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Countertop or portable.
- Card reader: a small device paired with your phone or tablet. Simple for occasional payments.
- Phone payments (MOTO): you key in the customer's card details when they pay over the phone, for orders, bookings or deposits.
- Pay by link: you send a secure payment link by text or email, and the customer pays on their own phone.
- Online checkout: card payments on your website, through a payment gateway.
Which do you need?
Most small businesses need a card machine for in-person sales, plus pay by link or phone payments for anything that happens remotely, such as deposits, phone orders or invoices. Think about where your customers are when they pay:
- At a counter or till: a countertop card machine, ideally linked to your EPOS. See card machines for shops.
- At tables or around the premises: a portable card machine. See card machines for restaurants.
- Out on jobs or deliveries: a mobile card machine with 4G. See card machines for tradespeople.
- Over the phone or by message: phone payments and pay by link.
Getting set up
- Work out your monthly card takings and how many card payments you take.
- Choose the terminal type that fits how your customers pay.
- Compare quotes on the full cost: rate, per-transaction fee, rental and any monthly charges. Our card machine fees guide shows how.
- Apply for a merchant account with the provider. You'll usually need business and bank details and ID.
- Your terminal arrives set up and ready to take payments.
We handle the setup for you, from the application to a terminal that's ready to use when it arrives.
What PayZu offers
- Debit card rates from 0.29%* (T&Cs apply)
- £0 upfront, zero hidden fees, zero PCI fees
- Next-day settlement as standard
*0.29% applies to UK consumer debit cards for businesses with monthly card takings above £40,000. Credit, business and international card rates, and rates for lower takings, are quoted individually. Subject to eligibility and status.
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Send your statement — let us beat it
Tell us about your business and we'll come back with a personalised rate. You can also email your statement to info@payzu.co.uk.
- Debit card rates from 0.29% (T&Cs apply)
- £0 upfront
- Zero hidden & PCI fees
- Next-day settlement