Finding the right way to conduct payments for your business can be tricky, especially since there are so many different options available now. If you are just starting a new business, you might be overwhelmed by what you should use and which you think will serve your clients the best. It can take some research and time, but choosing the right payment method can determine the success of your business.
Here’s how you can find the right payment method for your business and for your customers.
Determine your buyer
Do you know the types of customers that would be most interested in what you have to offer them? Who are you likely to see coming through your door and being intrigued by your product or service? Knowing your buyer can help you decide a number of factors when you are beginning to put together your business, but it can also help you decide which payment methods are likely to work the best and if you should have several options available for your customers.
Determine your industry
What industry your new business is in can determine how you will want payments to be made, how much you want to pay in merchant fees, and whether you will want to have several types available. For large payments, credit cards will probably be necessary, and you might also want to accept checks, as well. If you are running a company that is more localized and the transactions are smaller, then having credit card payments and cash might be enough. It’s worth it to think about the maximum payment a customer might make and whether you are prepared to take it.
Consider online
Anytime you are selling your product or service online, you will need to have a few types of payment methods at hand. Paypal and other online methods can be very helpful, and as more and more people tend to buy goods through ecommerce stores, it can be necessary in order for you to succeed as a business. While most payment will probably still be conducted through a credit card, having that option can also benefit you as a seller when you don’t want to pay as many fees and you want to make it simpler to conduct returns if necessary.
Consider costs
Using some payment methods cost more than others, and you will need to take a look at your checkbook to determine what would work best with your business’s expenses. Each company is different, and depending on the cliental and your overall costs, you’ll want to choose methods that end up benefitting you as a business. Take the time to sit down and look at your overall costs and see how you can balance things out appropriately—you want to serve both your customers and your budding company.
Choosing the right payment methods for your business is not a cut-and-dry process, and it might change depending on how long you’ve been around and what you expect from your customers in the future. Take the time to really consider what will serve you and which method your clients will feel comfortable using.