by Christy Hoyle


You might be considering getting a credit card terminal, but you are in doubt which you should choose. There are many things to consider when choosing your terminal; here are some of the most important aspects of your decision.

Firstly, try to think if you really do need a credit card terminal. If you run a mail order business or take sales over the Internet, you probably don't need a terminal, but if you run a business where you deal with your customers in person, you'll want to have a machine where they can swipe their cards.

Next you need to consider the type of connection your terminal needs to have. The old credit card machines used a telephone line to connect and complete the transaction. This is still a good choice if you have a dedicated phone line (or can share a phone line between the card terminal and your fax machine, for instance).

The newer models require internet or even wireless connections, which can be good for you if you are already wired for internet. You can discuss this with your payment processing company to determine which you should get.

You should also think about what you need your credit card terminal to do. Would you prefer that it prints out two receipts or would you rather use carbon paper? Or maybe you want a terminal that has a pad and electronic pen.

You can even get Tap and Go terminals that allow customers with certain cards to literally tap their cards on the machine and get instant approval. Customers who don't have those cards can still swipe their credit cards with no need for signatures.

You might also want to get a credit card terminal that works for debit cards. These machines have a keypad that allows users to enter their PIN number.

Accepting debit cards is great for you because you don't pay all the fees you pay if you accept a debit card without allowing the customer to enter his or her PIN. It's a very secure transaction method and something you definitely should think about.

When thinking about what kind of credit card terminal to get, consider all your options and weigh your needs and the needs of your customers against the price of different terminals your payment processor offers. You should be aware that some processors even give free equipment.




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