How to Accept Payments at Trade Shows

Many people like the option of paying with a credit card instead of carrying cash.

For those entrepreneurs looking at new ways to increase their sales on-the-go, a flexible payment acceptance system is the solution. Today, these come in a variety of ways. For instance, there are phone options, portable swipe devices and virtual terminals. These options are perfect for trade show events because you can accept payments securely and effectively. Providing your customers more ways to buy your items--when cash or check is not possible-can help you save sales that would otherwise be lost.

Instructions

1. Obtain portable merchant hardware to accept payments at trade shows. You can get this from your bank. Applying for a hardware swipe machine can be done in person or online. The account creation approval time varies, but once approved, you have funds placed into your bank account within 24 hours, usually. Transaction fees will be associated and possibly some monthly fees.

2. Use a virtual terminal merchant account to receive payments when out in the field. You will need your laptop and a secure wireless connection. Simply log-in to your merchant account and input the credit card information to accept a payment at a trade show. To learn more, you can refer to PayPal.com as an example.

3. Use your smart-phone to accept payments securely at trade shows. iPhone and some Android users benefit significantly from the applications created to help mobile entrepreneurs conduct business more effectively. For instance, smart-phone owners can swipe credit cards with the addition of small add-on accessories. These accessories are small devices that read the card information and complete the transaction on the spot. MerchantPlus.com is among the industry leaders in adapting to smart-phone users doing transactions on the go.

4. Accept payments by any cell phone at a trade show. For business owners who don't have a smart-phone such as the iPhone, you can use a simple dial-in system to accept payments. Best of all, there is nothing to set up and it is really convenient. Cell Charge is an example industry leader that caters to this market.

References

• All Business: How To Safely Accept Payments On A Mobile Phone

Resources

• PayPal
• Cell Charge
• Merchant Plus
• Accept Credit Cards: The Portable Credit Card Reader -- Changing The Way You Do Business