Tag Archive for Taking payments as a small business

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Global payment services for small businesses: how to avoid higher fees

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By Henry Williams on Small Business UK – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

No matter how small your business, it’s never been easier to reach a global marketplace of customers.

But there are hidden costs to making and taking international payments that can unnecessarily dent your margins.

You can’t avoid these fees completely, but there are a variety of global payment services that can help you cut costs without cutting your reach.

Whether you’re an importer or exporter, or have overseas customers or employees, This page will explain the best international payment solutions for small businesses that allow you to avoid higher fees when trading globally.

Why do international payments cost so much?

Traditionally, small businesses have relied on their banks to make international payments. This is expensive because the bank passes on the hidden cost of currency conversion – the difference between the exchange rate they bought the currency for and the final exchange rate – to you, on top of a host of other fees.

Indeed, banks have taken advantage of this lack of transparency to charge small businesses over the odds for international payments.

But it doesn’t have to be so expensive. Here are some ways you can avoid unnecessary charges.

Use

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Best payment apps for small businesses

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By Dom Walbanke on Small Business UK – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

The number of providers offering payment services to UK small businesses has exploded.

Many of these are app-based solutions, which offer businesses a simple and cost-effective way to start accepting customer purchases, whether they’re contactless card payments or even bank-to-bank transfers.

These payment apps are essential for small businesses and customers alike, making it easy for both parties to complete quick but secure transactions. With more consumers choosing to pay via contactless and suppliers invoicing online, businesses no matter how small need to be ready to process transactions.

>See also: Best mobile phone payment for self-employed

Payment apps for small businesses 

You can use payment apps to make bank transfers, mobile payments, online card payments and point of sale payments.

This list includes payment gateway apps and point of sale (POS) payment apps. If you work in brick-and-mortar retail or are taking more than £10,000 per month, a more substantial payment solution, such as a card reader, might be a better option.

Here’s our pick of the best payment apps for small businesses.

WorldFirst

GoCardless

Wallestar
Worldpay

Square

Takepayments

Online payment gateway apps
 

Price
No monthly fee

Transaction fee
30p to £4 (+0.50 currency conversion)

Set-up fee
None

Terminal
None

WorldFirst is bringing down the cost of

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The 6 best retail POS systems

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By Henry Williams on Small Business UK – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

UPDATED: As a retailer, you need a point of sale (POS) system that can not only handle a high number of sales (and at an affordable cost to you), but that makes your day-to-day easier, so you can focus on the most important aspects of running your business.

While many retail POS systems have very similar offerings, it’s the differences in costs and features that can make one best for a retail clothing store and one best for a retail grocery store.

From tablets to touch screens and inventory, we’ve dug down into the specifics of a variety of card machines to bring you the six best retail POS systems for you to compare.

Or, if you feel like you’re ready to decide, why not get quotes for your perfect POS system today. All you need to do is provide us with some basic info about your business in the form below and we’ll match you with the best providers for your needs.

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10 card payment machines ideal for small business

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By Tim Adler on Small Business UK – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

In an increasingly cashless society, if you don’t have card payment machines, you risk losing out on sales.

The 2025 UK Payment Markets report, found that debit card payments are by far the country’s most popular type, accounting for more than half of all payments (26.1 of 49 billion transactions) made in 2024, while 39% of all payments were made using contactless cards or mobiles. By contrast, less than 10% of all payments were made in cash.

Every one of the card payment machines on this page accepts debit, mobile and card payments. But there are differences in features, fees and upfront costs which will make some more or less suitable for your business than others.

This article will break down the hardware and functionality of the best card payment machines currently on the market to help you choose the one that’s right for you.

Card Payment Machine Reviews
Jump straight to a particular card machine or discover our full ranking of the 10 best card payment machines for small UK businesses in 2025.

Square Reader

Tide Card Reader

TakePayments

SumUp Air

Zettle Reader 2

MyPOS Go

Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere

Tyl (by Natwest)

Shopify

Worldpay DX800

How much does a

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Are there any free card readers for small businesses?

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By Anna Jordan on Small Business UK – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

The short answer is no, but there are some lower-cost options out there.

When thinking about costs, consider your monthly fees along with your transaction fees, set-up fees and any other charges that may be hidden in the small print.

We’ll be taking a look at some of the cheapest card readers for your small business and whether you’re better off renting or buying.

Should I buy or rent a card reader?

Purchase

Pros

Purchasing card readers means that you have them on standby – handy for unexpectedly busy times

If you’re likely to use the terminal again, it’ll be worth purchasing

No worry about extra fees beyond transaction fees

Easier to switch between merchant service providers

Cons

The machine may become obsolete over time and you’ll have to fork out for a new one

 Any purchases and repairs are your responsibility         

Rental

As some of the contracts below suggest, rental card readers are more suitable for seasonal or pop-up businesses.

Pros

Can fill demand at busy times such as Christmas

Providers are good at meeting requirements at short notice

Rental units are more robust as they can passed between users and so are expected to be better able to

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How to set up a POS system for your small business

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By Henry Williams on Small Business UK – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

Once upon a time, a POS system was nothing more than a cash register that allowed shopkeepers to process and record transactions.

Today, however, a POS is a sophisticated, internet-enabled system which also enables you to manage stock, staff, and sales, reward customer loyalty, and track vital performance metrics.

But with increased sophistication comes increased complexity, and in order to get the most out of your POS system, you need to understand how to set it up and use it properly.

Whether you’re a restaurant or a retailer, this article will explain exactly how to set up a POS system for your small business, and delve into the hardware, costs, and capabilities you need to know.

If you’re still looking for the perfect POS system for your small business, we can help. Just provide some basic details about your business using the form below and we’ll match you with the best providers for your needs.

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