If You Receive Payments You Should Have An Electronic Payment Option

This post isn’t just for the small business community, this one is for anyone taking payments for anything. Big businesses, small businesses, service providers, local youth organizations and yes, even the grandma selling her homemade sea salt chocolate fudge; if you’re taking payment for something you should be offering an electronic payment option.

Big and small businesses are most likely already doing so. It’s become expected that if you are a business, you offer a way to pay online.  But what about the local little league or the kid down the street that mows lawns?  Yes, your parents/customers/sponsors are coming to expect an online payment option as well.  If you’re not offering an electronic payment option, consider the following:

1. It’s easier.  Forget trips to the bank with cash and checks, electronic payments can be deposited directly into your account, no teller necessary.

2. It’s faster.  Still waiting for that promised check to reach you?  Did Johnny’s Mom forget the cash for his uniform again?  Offering an electronic payment option allows a ‘right now’ option of getting paid.

3. Convenience.  Online or electronic payments make it more convenient for those paying and for you as well. 

Electronic Payment Options are expected

It doesn’t matter if you’re accepting payments for services, fees, dues, or products, people expect to have options.  While it used to be fine for the smallest of businesses and organizations to offer the cash or check option, in today’s digital society it’s becoming more expected that you also offer an electronic payment option.  Many people simply don’t carry cash or checks anymore. 

Does that mean needing an expensive credit card reader?  Absolutely not. 

PayPal, Stripe and Square all have mobile card readers for taking credit & debit card payments on the go.  If swiping a card isn’t something you want to do, use an online payment gateway. PayPal.me offers a custom web address just for accepting payments, or you may already have an option via your current bank account. A whole list of banks offer electronic funds transfers via Zelle right within their banking apps. Sports teams even have the option of a service created just for them, Groundwork, which specializes in automating team payments and offering parent online payment options.

Online payments are here to stay. With so many options out there, there’s no reason to be tied to old fashioned checks and cash.  Make your life easier and offer your customers, clients or members an electronic payment option.