Whatever type of business you run, it’s possible to accept card payments on the go. Mobile card machines allow your customers to pay for products and services, even if your company is not rooted to one fixed location.
There are many services available that offer mobile card machines for your business that a quick internet search will find. They accept all major credit and debit cards, so you don’t have to worry about restricting how your customers pay.
Who could use a mobile card machine?
Business enterprises are not just shops and offices with a fixed address. There are lots of companies who operate outside or are constantly on the move. People often think you can’t have a card machine outside, but this isn’t the case. Only accepting cash limits how customers pay, especially as many people don’t carry a lot of money with them.
Some examples of merchants who benefit from a mobile chip and PIN device include fast food delivery drivers, market traders working outdoors, travelling salesmen and taxi drivers. With a mobile credit card machine, they can take their trade almost anywhere around the country and still accept debit and credit card payments.
How do they work?
Similar to a fixed chip and PIN terminal, mobile versions work by asking the customer to insert their card into the slot and having them enter their Personal Identification Number (PIN). They operate over a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) signal using a mobile network operator. This means you don’t have to have a fixed landline to accept payments.
However, this is not the same as a portable chip and pin terminal. These work via a Bluetooth connection and although they are not fixed to one location, they require communication with a central hub which is connected to a landline.
This means they can be carried around your place of work (such as restaurant or bar), but they will not operate on the road.
What if I have a fixed business address?
The great thing about a mobile card terminal is they can be used by businesses that operate from one place, as well as on the go. This is beneficial if your company doesn’t have a landline phone or permanent broadband connection.
With a mobile card reader, there are now more options for businesses. Being able to accept card payments means you can still easily trade while on the road, similar to how you would from a fixed location.