With credit card usage on the rise, it’s more important than ever for SMEs and sole traders to have a reliable card payment machine. But with a range of providers, all with varying price points and features, choosing one can be daunting. To help, we’ve broken down the key considerations to make finding the right card payment machine as easy as possible.

First, consider the types of payments you’re looking to accept. For example, if you want to be able to take chip and pin payments, opt for a machine with a PIN pad; or if you’re looking to offer contactless payments, choose one with a tap function. Other features to look for include a customer-facing display, ability to integrate with other business systems, and off-line mode.

Lastly, look into transaction fees and other costs associated with your chosen machine. These are levied by the payment processor and can be a significant cost factor, so it’s best to compare prices and terms from multiple providers before making a purchase.

Some providers, such as SumUp and Dojo Go, also cater for businesses with poor credit histories by offering low or non-existent merchant account requirements. Others, such as Square, offer flexible payment solutions for a variety of industries and even have a dedicated option for charitable donations.   card payment machines