Card machines for small businesses

Card machines for small businesses make in-person payments easier for you and your customers. With contactless payments becoming the norm, many customers no longer carry cash. While some customers may choose to pay with their Visa or Mastercard card, others may prefer other payment methods such as Apple Pay or Samsung Pay mobile wallets uploaded on their smartphone or smartwatch.

A challenge that smaller businesses often face is not having the flexibility to cater to the changing needs of customers. Limited payment options can result in lost sales – something no business can afford. Point-of-Sale (POS) machines offer the ideal solution, offering a streamlined way for customers to pay by card or app, quickly and easily.  

Which small businesses use POS machines?

Many small businesses use POS machines as a convenient way to get paid. Some of the many business types benefiting from these machines include the following: 

  • Coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants and bars. Waiters, counter-staff and other employees can accept payments made by card or mobile wallet, reducing long queues and waiting times. On busy days, this helps to prevent frustrated customers while taking pressure off staff who need to handle multiple bills.
  • Boutique stores, market sellers, farmstalls, pop-up shops, spaza shops and brick-and-mortar retailers. By giving customers the choice to pay with their preferred payment method, POS devices remove barriers to purchase, offering a streamlined customer experience.
  • Healthcare centres, wellness centres and medical practices. Whether payments are made upfront or after sessions, a POS device allows clients to pay quickly and easily, cutting down on admin time significantly. This provides a better customer experience for new clients as well as returning customers.  
  • Gardeners, plumbers, electricians, repair services and other remote service providers. As a fast, simple payment option, these devices offer more ways for customers to pay, ensuring that invoices are paid on the spot, as soon as the work is done.

What are the benefits of card machines for small businesses?

From convenience to customer satisfaction, POS machine benefits small businesses as follows: 

  • Faster checkout. Payments are made on the go, reducing waiting times. 
  • Multiple payment methods. Customers have more ways to pay, including Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, Samsung Pay, Apple Pay and G Pay.  
  • Stock management. Stock can be inventoried and managed to prevent over-ordering or under-stocking. 
  • Reduced admin time. Less time is spent on admin, leaving you free to manage your day-to-day business. 
  • Customer satisfaction. A seamless customer experience results in happier customers, with more chance of repeat business. 

How do you choose a POS machine for your business?

There are numerous payment providers on the market, all offering in-payment solutions designed for cashless payments. Along with transaction costs and basic features such as payment options for customers, there are several other factors to consider when choosing a POS machine for your business. These include the actual cost of the device, including payment or rental plans – for example, some POS providers have the option for merchants to buy or rent the device, as well as value-added services, like the ability to generate extra income by selling airtime.  

The Network POS device, our in-person solution, is designed to help your business grow. Merchants who sign up with Payfast by Network can order their device for free and just pay a minimal monthly connectivity fee. This removes a common barrier to entry for small businesses accessing in-person payment technology.  

As the acceptance of digital payments on the device improves financial visibility, businesses have greater control over cash flow tracking.  

With our POS device, you will have access to a wide range of features and benefits, including: 

Access to the Payfast by Network Dashboard to view insights, analytics and other sales data to make informed decisions for your business. 

Advanced security that screens all payments for suspicious activity, reducing the chance of chargebacks.  

Compliance with PCI-DSS requirements for total peace of mind when handling any type of transaction.  

Flexibility to allow customers to print their receipts or have them sent via email or SMS.

Value-added offerings by selling airtime, data and vouchers to expand income streams.

Competitive fees help preserve profit margins while managing costs and offering cashless payment convenience.

If you’re searching for an efficient way to accept in-person payments, a POS system offers a smarter solution tailored to the needs of small businesses. It simplifies payment processing, reduces manual administrative tasks, and frees up your time to focus on running and growing your business. With a POS system, you can enhance customer satisfaction by offering faster, more convenient payment options, while also gaining better insights into sales and inventory management.

To learn how Payfast by Network can provide a POS machine designed to support the growth of your small business, please reach out to our team.