Is your business ready for card payments?
While it can seem like a daunting and complicated process, introducing card payments is actually pretty simple.
You just need to start with the right company.
Nine years ago iZettle was founded in Stockholm in 2010, and two years later they launch in the UK with a new card reader.
This was my first introduction to iZettle, they allowed anyone with a reasonably up to date smartphone, tablet to accept debit card or credit card payments.
Since iZettle’s Scandinavian launch, and its arrival in the UK, it’s proven incredibly useful for sole traders and small businesses – iZettle say they have helped their users grow their businesses each year by more than three times the European average.
Its not unusual to see an iZettle Card Reader in many Small Food and Drink or Service orientated business, in 2017 I helped setup my first client with a full iZettle POS Till System since then I have seen an increase in awareness and interest in this simple but effective POS device.
“Having the iZettle card reader and the ease of using the app for payments has without doubt increased the number of customers coming to our food truck. Half our customers choose to pay with card and now we never have to turn people away who choose to be cashless!“
— Cheesetown Truck
So how does it work, and is it worth it?
iZettle say they have built a game-changing payment and analytics tools that empower small businesses to play on the same turf as the big players. They do it with simple and easy-to-use tools.
The iZettle Credit Card Reader makes it possible for anyone to take card payments – anytime, anywhere, while there intuitive point of sale system simplifies payment processing, sales tracking and product management.
With iZettle, there are no startup costs, no contracts, and no monthly fees to worry about. Instead, they offer a powerful set of tools that help you start, run and grow your business.
Compatibility
The free iZettle Go app works on your iOS- or Android device.
The iZettle Reader works with Bluetooth-enabled devices that run iOS or Android. Check out their compatibility guide for more information.
While the app is free, the card reader does cost – it’s usually £59 plus VAT for business users, but it is occasionally available at a reduced price.
Internet connection and data usage
For iZettle to work, you need to be connected to a 3G, 4G or WiFi network. These connections are much faster than the 2G technology relied on by traditional card terminals. Accepting payments with the iZettle Go app only takes a few kilobytes of data. However, they recommend all iZettle users connect to a stable network with a reliable connection.
In use
The vendor adds a product or types a transaction amount into the app on their device, then taps “charge”. They then hand over the card reader to the buyer, who can choose whether to pay via contactless, or pin by inserting their card.
All the major card types are accepted –
- MasterCard
- Visa
- American Express
- Maestro
- V Pay
- Visa Electron
- JCB
- Diners Club
– as well as Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay.
Fees
iZettle make money by charging a fee on each payment.
Depending on the number and type of transactions made, the fee will range from 1% to 2.75%.
Bear in mind that the lower fees are available only to business, not personal users.
Compared with the classic merchant card machines, where the machine itself typically costs around £20 a month on top of the fees, it’s a big saving.
The Verdict
The iZettle reader is undeniably simple to operate.
For small businesses who can’t justify the expense of a traditional card reading machine, especially as most of us, traders included, now have smartphones.
The dock, and the range of accessories and supported other devices, makes it suitable for a huge range of users.
From my own and client experience I can highly recommend iZettle if this is your first foray into card transactions.
Need some help?
If you would like to know more? Or get help to find and build the best software, payments and hardware solution please send us a message.