When accepting debit or credit card payments via your mobile phone, you can either use card machine hardware that connects to your device via Bluetooth or a card payment app that allows you to take a payment directly from your smartphone.
In this article, we’ve explained how you can provide your customers with a smooth and quick shopping experience using mobile payments. This system requires a aPOS (application point of sale) for your mobile device. The process of accepting payments is pretty straightforward with this method.
- Sign up to SimplyPayMe
- Enter the total amount the customer should pay
- Scan or enter your clients card details
- Payment will then be processed and be on the way to your bank account
Read more about the other ways you can use SimplyPayMe for payments.
How can you take a card payment using only your mobile phone?
This is a common question with a simple answer: aPOS (Application Point of Sale), which is the latest generation of payment programming – following its predecessor mPOS (Mobile Point of Sale). Conveniently, aPOS with SimplyPayMe allows you to accept credit and debit card payments using only your mobile phone, an app, and a minimum of a 3G connection.
Alternative hardware-free payment options
In addition to aPOS, you can also manage and process your transactions, bookings, and invoices through a virtual terminal or mobile POS.
Virtual terminal
A virtual terminal allows you to accept MOTO payments (Mail Order/Telephone Order), process orders, and manage bookings, through a personalised digital dashboard. It is popular among small businesses, as it offers total flexibility – including allowing you to remotely complete transactions over the phone.
Mobile POS
A POS (point of sale) system is used to manage sales. Originally, this would’ve been a physical machine that tracked purchases and updated inventories, but we’ve streamlined the service through our convenient mobile app. Using just your smartphone, you’ll be able to assess product availability and handle all transactions.
How to accept credit card payments on Android vs. iPhone?
If you’re choosing add-on hardware to accept credit card payments, it’s important to first check whether it integrates with your mobile device; most top card readers are compatible with both Android and iOS platforms, but some providers only cater to one operating system. Alternatively, for a straightforward, mobile-only solution, SimplyPayMe is available on both the Apple and Android app stores.
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Accept card payments on iPhone devices
When it comes to Apple products, consumers are comfortable and familiar because of the company’s credibility. From a business perspective, iOS is stable and secure. This is especially important when collecting sensitive payment information from your customers, with data security and consumer trust essential.
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Accept card payments on Android devices
Choosing an Android credit card reader allows you to choose between a wide range of brands. You can compare these options according to price, features, credibility, and device compatibility. The Android platform can handle huge workloads and is comparatively less expensive than iOS..
How does a mobile card reader work?
Reading on, we’ve explored how a mobile credit card reader works, whether you’re accepting payments through dedicated hardware or (even better) via a card payment app.
Taking mobile payments with additional hardware
Opting for a payment solution provider that requires you to purchase additional hardware immediately reduces the practicality of your service; if your device breaks, you won’t be able to accept credit card payments. However, if you do choose to go down this route, there are two common options to choose from:
- EMV card readers
An EMV credit card reader is a mobile chip and pin device, and considered much more secure than the now-old-fashioned magstripe readers.
- Contactless payments
We’re all familiar with contactless payment machines, whereby customers can complete a transaction by simply tapping their card. This wireless credit card reader technology is called NFC (near field communication).
Taking mobile payments through a mobile app
While it is possible to accept card payments with the help of additional hardware, this can become cumbersome and impractical – especially if your business doesn’t have a physical location.
Instead, consider taking mobile payments through the SimplyPayMe mobile app, which uses specialist software to improve transaction efficiency. The steps involved in aPOS mobile credit card processing couldn’t be simpler:
- Sign up to SimplyPayMe.
- Within the mobile app, enter the total amount the customer should pay.
- Scan or enter your client’s card details.
- Payment will then be processed and be on the way to your bank account.
Benefits of accepting card payments on your mobile
Accepting card payments through a dedicated mobile app can greatly improve business efficiency and streamline sales. Discover the key benefits of mobile transactions:
1. Reduce expenses
A mobile payment system is more convenient and useful for merchants than other common options, and in many cases, only requires a smartphone application. A merchant can manage and process transactions by simply scanning a customer’s card, no longer requiring traditional, bulky payment infrastructure..
2. Increase sales
Utilising a mobile payment system will not only reduce your expenses, but also boost sales. Additionally, it increases consumer engagement, as most customers look for a seamless payment experience before they purchase; this gives you a competitive edge, which puts you in a better position to attract target audiences and increase conversions.
3. More security
While the risks of a data breach or fraud are high among outdated payment options, mobile payments offer the necessary security you need to ensure your small business remains safe from threats.
In fact, if you go through the security features of all top payment methods, mobile payments come out on top, with developers consistently introducing new fraud-prevention tools to assist merchants.
4. Easy integration
Unlike complicated programs and technologies, mobile payment systems are easy to integrate with your small business, with numerous third-party plug-ins available for you to perform smooth transactions. These plug-ins are easy to download, install, and utilize, so you can get started in no time.
How much does it cost to take a card payment on your mobile?
Mobile credit card payments are popular among small businesses, so we believe the service should be an affordable solution. Choosing to accept transactions through the SimplyPayMe app means you don’t have to spend on hardware, and can start trading immediately.
After your free, no-obligation trial, you’ll enjoy unrestricted access to our complete range of services for as little as £10 a month. This allows you to both process unlimited payments and generate unlimited invoices.
Is mobile credit card processing safe?
Taking credit or debit card payments with your smartphone is not only reliable and straightforward, but also completely safe. However, there are some additional steps you can follow, to give both yourself and your customers further peace of mind:
- Encrypt all stored customer payment data.
- Take time to regularly monitor your security processes.
- Make sure your payment solution provider is following the most up-to-date PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) guidelines.
How is this different from mPOS?
Many providers will tell you that you can accept payments through your mobile phone by downloading their app, such as iZettle, SumUp, Square and PayPal Here. However, this is not entirely true, because if you want to take a face to face payment, you’ll also need to purchase their card reader.
If you can take mobile payments, but I make you buy hardware first, is it truly mobile? No, it’s not.. It’s mobile in the sense of you can move it around, but if you forget your card reader in the office or it breaks, then you won’t be able to take payments. aPOS is the only way of staying truly mobile.
With SimplyPayMe App all you have to do is download our application and you’ll be able to take payments. You will never forget your phone, and if you buy a new one, simply download the app and log in on the new device. You can log in to your account from any smartphone, tablet or browser.
For even more useful insight into how we can help you streamline your business’ payment process, including the other ways you can use SimplyPayMe for payments, check out the latest on our blog.
