Andrea Herrera

Andrea Herrera

Payments Staff Writer at Fit Small Business
Stripe alternative apps on mobile.
8 Best Stripe Alternatives & Competitors

Stripe is a favorite among startups and tech-savvy businesses for online payment processing because it offers highly versatile software for creating custom checkouts. However, there are times when its complexity and specialization make other solutions a better choice. While most users say Stripe is easy to use, it nonetheless requires some coding skills to set…

Jan 7, 2025
Growth concept. Text in wooden dices on table. White background. Copy space
How to Calculate the Growth Rate of a Company: A Simple Guide

For any business, calculating your growth rate is essential for understanding how well your business performs over time. It provides valuable insights and helps identify potential areas for improvement. To calculate your business growth rate, you must first choose the period you want to measure, determine your starting and ending values, and apply the specific…

Dec 19, 2024
Barcode scanner scanning a barcode.
What Is an SKU Number? A Complete Guide

Unlike a universal product code (UPC), which is a standardized 12-digit identifier assigned by manufacturers, an SKU is customizable and can include details like department, style, gender, size, and color. You can create SKU numbers manually or generate them through inventory management or point-of-sale (POS) systems. How Do SKU Numbers Work? SKU numbers play a…

Dec 11, 2024
A look at 4 top shipping supplies outlets online
6 Best Sources for Cheap Shipping Supplies for Small Businesses

Part of an efficient order fulfillment process is delivering your products in quality shipping materials that are affordable for you and also create a positive unboxing experience for customers. However, finding reliable and high-quality shipping supplies can be difficult. I evaluated the top shipping suppliers on the market, selecting the top six options based on…

Nov 29, 2024
Customer paying order with credit card.
How Does Payment Processing Work? Small Business Guide

Payment processing refers to the steps initiated by a business to accept credit card and other types of payments. The process is simple and automatic—taking only seconds. It starts from the swipe, dip, tap, or manual input of customer payment details at the merchant’s point of sale and involves the verification of those details, approval…

Nov 7, 2024
Showing Stripe website on mobile.
What Is Stripe and How Does it Work? Small Businesses Guide

Stripe is a developer-centric payment processor that allows merchants to receive payments via debit or credit cards, mobile wallets, automated clearing house (ACH), and buy now, pay later services. It offers everything from payment buttons and hosted checkout pages to ecommerce store integrations. Stripe is well known for its open-source solutions and powerful API documentation….

Oct 30, 2024
Employee getting customer's order.
6 Best Cloud POS Systems for Small Businesses

Cloud-based POS (point-of-sale) systems have the flexibility to process customer transactions and manage operations from anywhere with an internet connection, making them ideal solutions for small businesses. To find the best cloud POS systems, I looked for easy setup, low price points, rich management features and reporting capabilities, ease of use, and overall value. Based…

Oct 23, 2024
Showing a customer holding a credit card while looking through laptop screen.
10 Best Online Credit Card Processing Companies

The best online credit card processing companies provide merchants with online checkout pages to accept payments through websites, digital invoicing, and virtual terminals. The best online payment processors also integrate with social selling tools and other payment apps such as buy now, pay later (BNPL), and digital wallet platforms. We’ve reviewed dozens of payment processors…

Aug 30, 2024
A graphic showing cash or credit usage.
16 Cash vs Credit Card Spending Statistics for 2024

Although we are heading toward a cashless society, cash seems to still prevail in some sectors in the US and around the world. As business owners, a major part of decision-making involves providing customers with the utmost convenience at checkout. These cash vs credit card spending statistics can guide merchants in balancing their payment acceptance…

Jul 19, 2024
Digital wallets to payment gateways and security of online payment systems.
Ecommerce Payment Processing: Guide for Small Businesses

To securely accept online payments from your customers, you need a payment solution for ecommerce that ensures smooth and safe transactions. Ecommerce payment processors facilitate online transactions by securely transmitting payment information between the customer, the merchant (you/your store), and financial institutions. When choosing an ecommerce payment processor, consider factors such as fees, integration capabilities,…

Jun 24, 2024
Stripe vs Square logo.
Stripe vs Square: Which Payment Processor Is Best?

Stripe is a developer-friendly payment processor best for online businesses wanting to add a customizable checkout to their websites or sales applications. Square is an out-of-the-box point-of-sale (POS) and payment processing platform better suited for small businesses needing an all-in-one solution. Both Square and Stripe made our list of the best merchant service providers. Square…

Jun 20, 2024
Amazon Pay logo
Amazon Pay Review: Pricing & Features

Amazon Pay is a secure and user-friendly online payment processing platform that streamlines checkout for businesses and customers. It lets customers with Amazon accounts use their stored payment information to pay for products and services quickly and securely. Amazon Pay has features specifically designed for online, mobile, and voice (Alexa devices) payments. Other tools include…

Jun 13, 2024
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