This is my first post but i really needed someone to explain to me how mobile card readers work on a super simple level. In a few months I’ll be apart of an art show where I’ll be able to sell my art for the first time, but I don’t know how to collect payment. I feel like only accepting cash will deter any potential buyers but whenever I look into card readers, the directions seem really complex. Like, how would I set up a Square for example? Do I need to download an app? Would I need to call my bank to accept money through the square? Is there a verification process I need to go through before I can receive payments? Etc
(Also heads up that I am very slow and know very little about how banking/technology works so please go easy on me if you have specific terminology. )
In: Technology
Square (or any of the processors with mobile card readers) will walk you through the process, but it’s simple.
You’ll need an existing bank account. That’s where payments made to you (minus fees you pay to Square or another payment processor) will be deposited. If you’re going to have a fair amount of these transactions, it is a REALLY good idea to set up a separate bank account just for this. Your bank will help you with this.
You’ll set up an account with Square. They’ll need all the usual info – name, address, phone, email, social or EIN if you set up a separate one for your business, your bank account info, etc. – and they’ll check all of it to make sure it’s working and correct.
You’ll download the Square app onto your phone and log in (Square will provide login credentials). You use the app to ring up purchases. The app lets you manually enter card info or you can get things you can connect to your phone (various card readers) – these are more secure, but you have to pay for them, at least anything other than the most basic stripe reader.
You can set up invoicing , receipts, customer data, etc. in the Square app (although it’s much easier to do these things on a laptop or desktop through your Square account).
It may seem difficult, but once you’re in the Square platform, it’s mostly intuitive, and you can always chat or call them to help setup. Good luck.
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