Merchant services allow businesses to accept credit and debit card payments at a point-of-sale (POS) system, online, or through invoices. Technically, there is no way to accept card payments for free. However, there are merchant service and payment service providers with no setup fees, contracts, or monthly fees and more affordable alternative payment options. The…
6 Best Square Competitors for POS & Credit Card Processing
Square is a free point-of-sale (POS) system and payment processor loved by many small businesses because it’s an affordable, all-in-one solution. Though the company once dominated the market, many Square competitors now offer comparable products and services, some you could argue are better than Square. The best Square alternative depends on where you’re taking payments…
How to Prevent Chargebacks for Your Small Business
A chargeback is the reversal of funds from the customer to the merchant. Any business dealing with electronic charges—credit cards, ACH payments, eChecks, or online payment services like PayPal—are at risk of incurring chargebacks. The bank that issues the charge activates the chargeback at the request of the customer. It sends you a notice with…
Best Self-Service Kiosks for Restaurants
Self-service kiosks are digital touch screens at restaurants and cafes that allow customers to place their own orders, rather than placing their order with a waiter or cashier. Most self-service kiosk software is available as a feature of the businesses’ larger point-of-sale (POS) system. However, some free-standing kiosk options integrate with multiple POS systems. Recent…
31 Online Shopping Statistics You Should Know
Online shopping statistics show that while brick-and-mortar purchases still make up a majority of consumer spending, online shopping is steadily on the rise. Many legacy brick-and-mortar chains are struggling to stay open. Meanwhile, a crop of new small businesses, direct to consumer retailers, and ecommerce startups are gaining popularity with shoppers. We’ve gathered over 30…
5 Best POS Inventory Systems
Point-of-sale (POS) inventory systems are software tools used by retailers and restaurants to process customer sales and track product or ingredient stock levels. Most POS inventory software has tools to ring sales, count inventory, and provide basic reports. The best POS systems also streamline product purchasing at prices starting at less than $100 per month….
How To Use Square To Process Credit Cards & Run Your Business
Square credit card processing offers an affordable, easy, and immediate way of accepting card payments. Square comes with a suite of free business management tools like customer directories, an online store, inventory tracking, and customer feedback collection. Learning how to use Square means you can get the most out of Square’s free tools. Square’s credit…
Square vs PayPal: Price, Features & What’s Best
The main difference between Square and PayPal is that Square offers a complete suite of business management tools, whereas PayPal is simply for accepting payments. This difference makes Square a better option for small businesses processing in-person sales. However, PayPal’s name recognition and easy One-Touch payments make it a better solution for online sales. Square…
Square POS: The Ultimate Guide
Square is a free point-of-sale (POS) app that uses a credit card reader and your phone or tablet to process payments. A POS system is the tool retailers use at the point of purchase to process and manage sales. Square POS includes features like inventory management, customer directories, and sales reports to help retailers manage…
5 Best Cash Registers for Small Businesses
A cash register combines a secure cash box, advanced adding machine, and receipt printer into one operating unit. Many connect to credit card terminals and bar code scanners and some incorporate inventory and point-of-sale (POS) software for added functionality. Best Cash Registers for Small Businesses Small business owners have two overall choices when selecting a…
Clover vs Square: Price, Features & What’s Best
Clover and Square both have easy-to-use point-of-sale (POS) software, a full suite of hardware, and integrated payment processing with online, mobile, and contactless payment tools. The biggest difference between Clover and Square is that Clover has higher upfront and ongoing costs with a few extra features, while Square is more transparent and affordable, making it…
POS System vs Cash Register: What’s Best for Retailers
Having a cash management system is crucial for any retail store owner. A basic cash register may be suitable for some businesses, but most retailers are choosing feature-filled point-of-sale (POS) cash register software programs that run business operations much more effectively. We compare both options to pinpoint what’s best for your business. When To Use…