Given the challenge our nation is facing with the COVID-19 pandemic, merchants need to pivot and find new ways to accept payments. Payanywhere merchants have pivoted to answer customer concerns and government regulations regarding the spread of Covid-19 by using the safe, simple Virtual Terminal to process transactions.
What Is a Virtual terminal?
A virtual point terminal is an online software application that functions like the credit card terminal you would see in a brick and mortar store. They are hosted online securely through the service provider's servers, and can be accessed from any internet browser making virtual terminals incredibly convenient for merchants looking to embrace omnichannel commerce.
Payanywhere is a web-based system that does not require any software to be downloaded or installed. The terminal allows merchants to accept phone, online, and other card-not-present payments. Its reporting and management tool provides a central location acts like a virtual "back room" with advanced business management features including inventory and price management tools.
The Payanywhere acceptance feature allows merchants to process phone orders. In light of Covid lockdowns and the impact this is having on merchants worldwide, the ability to quickly and easily accept payments over the phone is allowing merchants to maintain some semblance of business continuity during these unprecedented times.
The virtual terminal is free and accessible through Payments Hub, Payanywhere's secure merchant portal. Best of all, merchants can begin processing card-not-present payments the same day.
How to accept credit card payments by phone
As more stores are offering delivery and curbside pick-up in the age of COVID-19, consumers are increasingly calling businesses by phone to place orders. For more secure transactions and potentially lower processing costs, merchants should consider a virtual terminal to accept card-not-present payments by phone.
Phone orders are straight forward with customers relaying their relevant credit card details while the merchant inputs at their point of sale terminal. It is important to note that processing phone payments is a less secure option than accepting a card physically in-store.
Virtual terminals can offer additional security to phone based credit card transactions by capturing information which helps to verify the transaction is authentic. This process, known as Level 2 or Level 3 processing may allow you to bring down your costs of accepting credit cards by reducing the rate of your processor charges.
The advantages of a virtual terminal are many. You don't have to buy, rent or lease a traditional credit card terminal if you're processing credit card transactions without a signature. One of the most significant benefits of a virtual terminal is convenience, as all you need is a computer and an Internet connection with access to a virtual terminal.
Virtual terminals are generally an easy and inexpensive solution for merchants, especially as business owners navigate curbside pick-up and delivery payment options in today's ever-changing marketplace. Learn more about setting up a virtual terminal by contacting Sekure today.
