Reaching customers is all about having options and being able to find the right buyers for your business. It’s a good idea to give them choices and to be willing to open up certain options in order for them to feel comfortable with using your product or service. Clients like to feel as though they have a say in the purchasing process, and by offering a few different payment methods, you are showing that you care about their experience working with your company.
Here are some reasons you might want to consider having a few payment options available for your business.
It builds customer trust
A new client does not have a reason to trust you other than by your reputation and by word-of-mouth. Many times, you have to build that trust over time and by offering them your expertise, either through articles on your company blog or through direct interaction. Offering several payment methods also shows that you are a quality company that wants to meet customers where they are at. While the cost of merchant services can be a concern, it’s often worth it in order to show clients that you want their business.
It offers you support
Having a few payment options not only benefits clients, it also can help you, as well. Managing returns, dealing with late payments, and disputes with customers can be difficult to handle well and on your own. However, having an intermediary can go a long way toward handling situations smoothly. Many credit card and online payment options offer their merchants help when dealing with unhappy customers, and these customers often are more willing to work with them if they are frustrated with your business.
It makes transactions easier
Keeping track of all your payments through check and money order can be frustrating, and it can be easy to miss transactions. With credit card and online payments, you don’t need to keep your physical statements, and it’s simple to look up what transaction occurred when once tax season rolls around. Bookkeeping can be a difficult aspect of any business, but when you have several payment options for customers to choose from, it can be much better to track and submit to your accountant.
It’s the way of the future
More and more business is coming from purchases online, and credit cards and payment systems like Paypal are starting to take over. Because of how easy it is for clients to make purchases and the way ecommerce is growing, it’s likely that cash, check, and money orders will become less and less common. While you might not want to forgo having cash as an option altogether, especially when you have a physical store, it’s worth it to consider having other methods available as payments continue to gravitate to electronic.
Running a business requires always updated to meet clients’ needs. When you offer a few payment options, you are showing them that you are still interested in working with them over the long term and that you are happy to meet them where they are at.