Which card terminal is right for your business?

Every business – even those trading within the same sector - operates differently. It’s the reason why there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to card terminals. A fixed countertop terminal might be ideal for one clothes retailer, but it might be wholly unsuitable for another.

However, with a range of available devices, it can be difficult to know which is right for your business. Whether you run your business from a bricks-and-mortar store or are constantly on the move, we’ve created this simple guide to help you understand which card terminal is the best fit for you.

Some things are universal

All Clear Business terminals accept the major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express) as well as both Android and Apple Pay, so that’s one less thing to worry about.

Each terminal is also equipped with a PIN shield and a high-speed receipt printing facility, so your customers can feel that bit safer when paying for your products or services.

From here, each card terminal is different and offers different features. Let’s look at each one and see which is best placed to help your business process customer payments most efficiently.  

Countertop card terminals

Prefer to keep your terminal in a fixed position? Our standard countertop device sits at your checkout and is connected via your phone or broadband line, making it a reliable option.

Great for high-volume retail businesses who want to take payments from one location or for service businesses like salons and car garages that take most of their payments over the counter.

Ideal for: Businesses operating from a fixed checkout, e.g. retail businesses, mechanics, and beauty salons.

Portable card terminals

Do you have premises where there’s no fixed transaction area? Do you want the flexibility of using your terminal in any part of your premises?

If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then the portable terminal is the best fit for you. Connected by Bluetooth, broadband, or Wi-Fi, portable terminals allow you to move freely with your device and take payments from wherever your customer is in your store.

Ideal for: The hospitality sector, including restaurants, pubs and cafés, as portable terminals allow you to take tableside payments, saving customers from queueing at bar and reception areas.

Mobile GPRS card terminals

What if your business isn't run from fixed premises at all? What if much of your work is mobile, or you regularly attend trade shows and corporate events? We’ve got you covered.

Our mobile GPRS terminals allow you to take your business to wherever your customers are in the country. The terminal is fitted with a GPRS SIM card, which enables you to accept payments anywhere within the UK. It also contains an integrated rechargeable battery, so you don't have to worry about it going flat on the road.

It is essential to keep in mind that with mobile GPRS, you might struggle to take card payments if you’re trading in an area with no or poor mobile signal. If you plan to trade regularly from one particular location, it’s advisable to check the signal strength before committing to a mobile GPRS terminal.

Ideal for: On-the-go businesses, such as tradespeople, food trucks, and mobile vendors.

All card terminals require an internet connection. Suppose you want to upgrade your card terminals or start using card payments for the first time but are worried your broadband might not be up to the job. In that case, we can help, as we also offer superfast fibre business broadband, ensuring that your internet connection is as reliable and efficient as your payment processing.

Get started on your Clear Business payments journey today.