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Buying Guides

Latest: Advice, Tips and Resources

Article
How to Accept Credit Card Payments: A Beginner’s Guide
By Adam Uzialko | June 09, 2025

Businesses accept credit cards by choosing a processor, setting up a business bank account and selecting payment hardware like POS systems or mobile readers.

Businesswoman with mobile phone in hand
Article
How to Accept Apple Pay
By Jennifer Dublino | June 09, 2025

To accept Apple Pay, ensure your credit card processor supports it, use an NFC-enabled card reader, enable Apple Pay on your account and train your staff.

Article
How to Accept Credit Card Payments Over the Phone
By Adam Uzialko | June 09, 2025

You can accept credit card payments over the phone by securely keying the customer's card details into your POS terminal, mobile app or virtual terminal.

Article
PayPal Credit Card Processing: How to Accept Card Payments With PayPal
By Adam Uzialko | June 09, 2025

To accept credit cards with PayPal, set up a business account, connect to PayPal’s payment gateway, and use PayPal Zettle for in-person or online payments.

Square POS device
Article
Merchant One vs. Square Comparison
By Jennifer Dublino | June 09, 2025

Merchant One offers low fees and 24/7 support for established businesses. Square has no monthly fee and easy setup, making it ideal for startups and retailers.

Article
There’s a Fee for That: Pros and Cons of Surcharging Credit Cards
By Jennifer Dublino | June 09, 2025

Credit card surcharging shifts processing costs to customers but can cause legal issues, competitive disadvantages and customer dissatisfaction.

Article
11 Ways to Help Protect Your Company (and Customers) When You Take Payments Online
By Jennifer Dublino | June 09, 2025

Small businesses must prioritize two-factor authentication, secure platforms and employee training to protect online payments and reduce cybersecurity risks.

Article
The Best Way to Take Payments With Your iPhone
By Jennifer Dublino | June 09, 2025

Mobile businesses can accept payments using an iPhone with a compatible card reader and app. Top processors like Clover and Square facilitate iPhone payments.

Article
Credit Card Receivables Financing Guide
By Jennifer Dublino | June 09, 2025

Credit card receivables financing lets businesses access funds based on future credit card sales, with fast approval and flexible repayments tied to revenue.

Clover logo
Review
Clover Credit Card Processing Review and Pricing
By Mike Berner | June 09, 2025

Clover offers a robust POS system with flat-rate pricing, proprietary hardware and software tools for payments, inventory, customer management and marketing.

Article
How to Accept Mobile Payments via SMS
By Jennifer Dublino | June 09, 2025

Mobile SMS payments let businesses send invoices and accept secure payments via text, integrating with POS and CRM systems for fast, contactless transactions.

Review
Chase Payment Solutions Review
By Mike Berner | June 09, 2025

Chase Payment Solutions offers fast payouts, strong data analytics and HIPAA-compliant healthcare payments but has higher fees and dated software interfaces.

Article
Spend Wisely: How to Get the Most Out of Your Business Credit Cards
By Jennifer Dublino | June 09, 2025

Business credit cards help manage cash flow, build credit and offer rewards. Use them wisely by paying balances in full and monitoring employee spending.

Merchant One logo
Review
Merchant One Review and Pricing
By Mike Berner | June 09, 2025

Merchant One offers custom pricing, strong customer service and integrations. It lacks proprietary hardware and a mobile app and requires a three-year contract.

Article
Find Out Which Credit Card Payment App for Android Works Best for You
By Adam Uzialko | June 09, 2025

Mobile credit card payment processing apps for Android include PayPal, Square, SumUp, QuickBooks and Shopify, offering varied fees, hardware and features.

Article
Why Small Businesses Need Online Payment Apps
By Donna Fuscaldo | June 09, 2025

Accepting online payment apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay can boost sales and offer convenience, though they have higher fees and security risks.

woman looking at computer data
Article
Know Your Customers: How Different Generations Prefer to Pay
By Sean Peek | June 09, 2025

Each generation has unique payment preferences, from Gen Z’s mobile payments to boomers’ credit cards. Top POS systems support these preferences.

Article
Everything You Need to Know About NFC Mobile Payments
By Jennifer Dublino | June 09, 2025

NFC mobile payments, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, are becoming mainstream due to their convenience, security and support for contactless transactions.

North Payments logo
Review
North Payments Review
By Mike Berner | June 09, 2025

North Payments offers fast approval and easy setup for high-risk businesses, with free equipment, next-day funding and a user-friendly portal.

Article
PayPal vs. Merchant Account: What’s the Difference?
By Jennifer Dublino | June 09, 2025

PayPal and merchant accounts offer different ways to accept payments. PayPal is fast and simple, while merchant accounts provide lower fees and more control.

Stax logo
Review
Stax Payments Review and Pricing
By Mike Berner | June 09, 2025

Stax lets businesses use flexible POS systems and offers over 200 integrations, detailed reporting and subscription-based pricing without taking a revenue cut.

Article
7 Things Most Small Businesses Don’t Know About Credit Card Payment Processing
By Jennifer Dublino | June 09, 2025

Small businesses need to understand how to lower credit card processing fees, secure better terms, prevent fraud and avoid hidden costs with payment processing.

Article
Digital Payment Guide: Best Payment Methods & Why to Accept Them
By Sammi Caramela | June 09, 2025

Contactless, mobile wallets, peer-to-peer payments and crypto are shaping digital payments. Businesses must adapt to appeal to consumers' preferred methods.

Article
10 Tips for Choosing a Credit Card Processor for Your Construction Company
By Lori Fairbanks | June 09, 2025

Construction firms should choose ISO/MSP processors for large, varied payments and mobile POS systems to accept credit cards in the field and online.

Article
Square vs. PayPal
By Jennifer Dublino | June 09, 2025

Square is a better value for high-volume businesses with lower online fees and robust POS tools. PayPal suits low-volume merchants needing flexible options.

Article
Choosing a GPS Fleet Management System
By Mark Fairlie | June 06, 2025

GPS fleet tracking software lets you track vehicles and monitor driving behaviors. Here's what to look for in a GPS fleet tracking system.

Best Pick
The Best POS Systems for Retail Businesses
By Nicole Fallon | June 04, 2025

Lightspeed, Helcim and Clover offer retail POS systems with inventory management, sales analytics and customer engagement features.

Best Pick
The Best Business Insurance for Entrepreneurs in 2025
By Kimberlee Leonard | June 03, 2025

Compare providers like Hiscox, Progressive and The Hartford offering general liability, workers' comp and tailored small business coverage.

person ordering at a coffee shop
Best Pick
The Best POS Systems for Coffee Shops
By Jamie Johnson | June 03, 2025

Square, Clover and Toast offer coffee shop POS systems with order customization, inventory management and loyalty program features.

Best Pick
The Best Accounting Software for Restaurants
By Mike Berner | June 03, 2025

QuickBooks, Xero, and Zoho Books offer restaurant accounting software with expense tracking, invoicing and financial reporting.