Guides
Payments, explained without the jargon
Straight answers about fees, card machines, POS systems and merchant accounts — so you can tell a good deal from a bad one before you sign anything.
Growth
Gift cards and loyalty programs that actually pay off
Gift cards bring in cash before you deliver anything and often lead to customers spending more than the card's value. Loyalty programs work best when they're simple, tied to your point-of-sale, and worth a visible reward within a few visits. Both should run through the same system you take payments on.
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Getting started
How to switch payment processors without breaking anything
A step-by-step guide to switching credit card processors: checking your contract for termination fees and leases, comparing offers honestly, and cutting over in a day.
8 min read
Salons
Payment processing for salons, spas and barbershops
How salons and spas should handle card payments: tipping, booth renters and independent stylists, no-show deposits, gift cards and packages, and what it all costs.
8 min read
Trades
Payment processing for contractors and home service pros
How contractors collect deposits, get invoices paid faster, and cut fees on big jobs using ACH, payment links and mobile card readers. Built for trades businesses.
8 min read
Operations
How fast do card payments hit your bank account?
How long credit card deposits take, what next-day funding really means, why holds and reserves happen, and how to get your money faster as a small business.
8 min read
Getting started
Online payment processing for small business
How to take payments online: gateways, hosted checkout, payment links and invoices, what online card fees cost, and how to keep fraud and disputes low.
9 min read
Restaurants
Restaurant payment processing, explained for owners
How restaurant payment processing works: what fees really cost per plate, how tip adjustments and tip-at-the-table affect your rate, and which setup fits your service style.
9 min read
Hardware
Mobile card readers and tap to pay on your phone
How mobile card readers and tap to pay on a phone work, what they cost, where they fail, and how to pick the right setup for markets, trucks and mobile services.
8 min read
Security
PCI compliance for small business, without the jargon
What PCI compliance means for a small business, how to finish the questionnaire, how to stop paying non-compliance fees, and the habits that keep card data safe.
8 min read
Operations
How to prevent chargebacks — and win the disputes you fight
What a chargeback is, why customers file them, how to prevent them at the register and online, and exactly what evidence wins a dispute. Written for small businesses.
9 min read
Pricing
Interchange-plus vs flat rate: which pricing actually costs less?
A plain-English comparison of interchange-plus, flat-rate and tiered credit card processing pricing, with real math so you can tell which one fits your business.
9 min read
Pricing
How to lower your credit card processing fees
Eleven practical ways to lower credit card processing fees for a small business — from reading your statement to switching pricing models, without gimmicks.
9 min read
Basics
What are merchant services?
What are merchant services? A clear breakdown of the account, processing, hardware and support that let a business accept card payments — and how to choose one.
8 min read
Pricing
Zero-fee credit card processing, explained honestly
Zero fee credit card processing shifts card fees to customers via surcharging or cash discounts. Learn how it works, the rules, and if it fits your shop.
8 min read
Pricing
Credit card processing fees explained
A plain-English breakdown of credit card processing fees: interchange, assessments, markup, monthly charges, and how to work out what you really pay.
8 min read
Accounts
High-risk merchant accounts explained
What makes a business high risk, what a high-risk merchant account costs, and how to get approved — including reserves, chargeback limits and the MATCH list.
9 min read
Hardware
Credit card machines for small business
Countertop, handheld or mobile reader — a plain-English guide to picking a credit card machine for your small business, including cost, setup and security.
9 min read
Hardware
How to choose the best POS system for your small business
How to pick the best POS system for a small business: features by business type, real costs, contract traps, and a checklist before you buy.
9 min read
Getting started
How to accept credit card payments
How to accept credit card payments in store, online and by phone: what you need, the setup steps, documents, costs, deposit speed and PCI basics.
8 min read
Send us your last statement
Email us a recent processing statement and we'll show you, line by line, what you're paying now and what you'd pay with us. No pressure, no sales pitch.