• FBMedia617
• April 20, 2026

How To Accept Credit Card Payments: A Guide for Businesses

In our increasingly online world, eCommerce and online payments have emerged as essential when it comes to small business owners and their customers. Most companies don’t flat-out list their rates; talk to a sales representative for a custom quote. PSPs are often said to be a good choice for small business owners or those just getting started due to their ease of use and transparent fees. You need one or the other to start accepting credit card transactions, and there are different benefits to each. If credit card casinos you’re running a brick-and-mortar store, you’ll need to take card payments in person using a physical card machine.

Accept credit cards online

How do I choose the best credit card processing provider for my business? These services handle everything for you, making it easy for small businesses to start accepting credit cards. You don’t need a traditional payment gateway if you use a service like PayPal, Square, or Stripe.

• Instead, you’ll be part of an aggregated merchant account shared with other vendors.
• To optimize your setup and grow with confidence, learn more in our guide on seamless payment experiences.
• Compare the best payment gateways for WooCommerce in Australia, including features, fees, payment methods, and how to choose the right integration.
• As this is a rather convoluted process, there are several issues involved in using a merchant account for credit card payments.

So how do you accept card payments?

Yes, I would like FreshBooks to send me helpful tips on how to grow my business and let me know about offers and promotions FreshBooks Payments make your credit card payment process simple, secure, and efficient. FreshBooks has you covered with an easy-to-integrate credit card payment option. FreshBooks Payments lets you choose from a variety of methods, simplifying the payment system for your customers and automatically including all purchases, fees, and other details in your usual financial reporting. FreshBooks supports a number of online payment options, including most major credit cards, ACH bank transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay.

How much does it cost to accept card payments?

Accepting credit card payments over the phone is simple with a virtual terminal, like PayPal Virtual Terminal or Helcim Virtual Terminal. Whether you run an eCommerce store, manage a website, or work as a freelancer or tradie, here are some options for how to receive credit card payments online. Discover how easy it is to accept credit card payments in person, online, or over the phone to start boosting sales, improving cash flow, and giving customers the convenience they expect. There are 3 primary options for taking credit card payments for small businesses. If you own a small business like a handmade jewellery store or a pet grooming salon, there are 2 steps to start getting credit card payments from your customers.

With modern solutions, you can start taking debit and credit card payments anywhere without monthly fees, long-term contracts or complicated setup. If you’re selling through an online marketplace or platform with built-in payment processing for merchants, you’ll probably only need to link your business bank account. If you complete some or all of your sales online, there are several ways to offer convenient credit card payment options to your customers.

Custom API Integration for Advanced Users

Whether you’re selling online or in person, Whop lets you get paid securely without needing a traditional card machine. Most virtual terminals automatically discard sensitive information once the payment is processed, keeping both you and your customers safe. Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook all support shoppable posts and in-app checkout, letting customers pay without leaving the app. Social media drives more than 1.5 billion direct shopping clicks every month. But there’s usually extra steps going on with more parties involved that the buyer and merchant don’t automatically see. For a lot of businesses, depending on the payments provider used, the money is processed and funds are made available within hours.

A mobile credit card reader plugs into your phone using an auxiliary cord so customers can tap to pay. That means you don’t have to go out of your way to ensure your online store is compatible with your payment gateway and processor—your payment provider will handle that. Don’t get roped into purchasing hardware that isn’t compatible with your payment processor–you’ll be at risk of security and technical issues.

Option 1: Mobile Card Reader (Best for In-Person Sales)

These standards ensure that all businesses that accept and handle credit card information maintain security to protect merchants and consumers. Per-transaction service fees are taken from your settlements, which means the funds sent to your account are all yours. Lightspeed Payments offers transparent pricing—competitive rates without hidden fees.