Turn your mobile device into your personal cash register! Lately everywhere I go I see people using the square on their iPhones or iPads in order to accept credit card payments. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, I’m here to give you the skinny. The square is a miniature card reader and FREE application compatible with Androids and iPhones that allows you to accept credit card purchases using your mobile device. Receipts are sent to the consumer and you can track account history and balances through your Android, iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. The pluses are that there is no start up fee. There is a twenty four hour pay out directly to your bank account. You get a free credit card reader that plugs right into your phones audio jack. There is 2.75% per swipe pricing for all credit card purchases and if you enter the credit card manually it increases to 3.50%. There are no monthly fees or contracts. You are able to take cash and process Visa, Master Card, American Express & Discover credit card payments. No merchant account required. I’d say with this application and card reader you’re official!
The square is so user friendly you can plug it in the same day you get it and start processing payments. You are able to go further and customize this app with product photos, pricing and categories. I have graphic design packages. I can list the packages or individual services and price them accordingly. My favorite part of the entire transaction is when it’s time to sign. Your customer can sign directly on the screen and you have an option of emailing them or texting a receipt, also allowing them to add a tip when signing. The square allows you to monitor your sales, keep track of inventory and generate reports that allow you to look at your overall performance and trending sales patterns. If you have regular clients/ customers you can go a step further by allowing them to set up a tab from their phone and pay by using their name. If you have services or specials that you’d like to publish, the square allows you to do that as well. I think the square is genius for small business owners like me; it makes processing payments a breeze! If you’d like more information on the square check out their website.
