How to Accept Credit Card Payments From Service Clients

1. Choose how to accept credit card payments

First, you need to decide how you want to accept credit card payments. As in, how do you plan to make credit card payments available to your clients?

There are a variety of options for you to choose from, including: 

• Online: Through your website, invoices, or a QR code
• Mobile: Using a card reader or payment processing app
• In-person: At your office or another physical location
• Over the phone: Using a virtual terminal

Which method you choose depends on your business, clients, and preferences, but online and mobile credit card payments are a popular choice for service providers because they can collect payments at job sites or let customers pay when it’s convenient for them.

2. Select a payment processor

A payment processor is what you use to facilitate credit card payments. They provide any physical hardware you need, like a card reader, as well as the software required to transfer funds from the customer’s account to your own. 

Which credit card processor you choose depends on how you want to accept credit card transactions. Before making a choice, consider: 

• Your budget. Payment processors like Stripe or Shopify charge credit card processing fees for every payment they process. For example, they charge 2.9% of the payment amount plus a transaction fee of $0.30. Depending on the processor you choose, you may also have to purchase a credit card terminal to process payments, like a mobile chip reader. These typically cost between $50 and $300. 
• Payment methods. How you plan to accept credit card payments will impact the processor you choose. Many, like Stripe and Square, offer both in-person and online payment methods, while others are more focused on one or the other. 
• Hardware requirements. If you want to make mobile credit card payments available to customers, you may need hardware to process them. While many payment processors use apps some require card readers for chip or swipe payments. Make sure the processor you choose provides the hardware you need and that it will work with your mobile device or field service management software.  
• Security. Any payment processor you use needs to be PCI DSS compliant based on data security and privacy. Be sure to use a trusted and well-known payment processor that complies with industry standards to protect your business and customers. 
• Customer service. Timely payments are essential to your cash flow, but payment processors can be impacted by service outages, website problems, and technical issues. Choose a payment processor with reliable customer support to minimize downtime and keep cash flow smooth and steady. 
• Credit card processing times. Just because a customer makes a payment doesn’t mean you’ll receive it minutes later. When you get paid depends on how long it takes the payment processor to process the payment. Some platforms offer same-day payouts while others may take up to 2-3 business days to add the funds to your account. Review their timelines beforehand to ensure they meet your cash flow needs. 
• Additional services. Some credit card processors simply process payments, while others, like Jobber Payments, cover your entire payment workflow by providing quotes, invoices, and receipts. That way, you can use the same software from start to finish, making accepting credit card payments a seamless process from start to finish. Plus, clients can pay with a debit card, credit card, or via ACH payments offering a convenient option no matter how your client prefers to pay. 

Jobber Payments also allows you and your team members to collect tips and it integrates with Quickbooks Online to make payments straightforward and stress-free. 

3. Get set up to accept credit card payments

Once you choose a payment processor, you need to get set up to accept credit card payments. 

For example, you may need to: 

• Update your website to include a payment processing integration, like adding payment buttons or links for customers to pay online. 
• Upgrade or install hardware, like getting a newer mobile device or configuring a chip reader for in-person payments. 
• Review payment terms and instructions on your quotes, invoices, and website to ensure they’re up-to-date. 
• Prepare for recurring payments by creating a credit card authorization form for clients to fill out so you can automatically bill them for ongoing services.  

Pro Tip: Test out your payment processing software before promoting it to clients to ensure they have a smooth experience.

The benefits of accepting credit card payments

Accepting credit card payments is good for you and your customers. By adding credit cards to your accepted payment methods, you can: 

1. Get paid faster and in full

Credit card payments don’t rely on the funds in a customer’s bank account. This makes it easier for them to pay you when they receive an invoice instead of having to wait until payday. 

They’re also much more convenient to send than having to fill out a check or stop by an office. 

2. Improve cash flow

Steady cash flow relies on consistent, timely payments. And the easier it is for clients to pay you, the more likely you are to have a healthy cash flow you can count on. 

3. Boost customer experience

Customers prefer businesses that are easy to work with. Accepting credit card payments provides clients with a convenient payment option they can use to pay you from anywhere at any time. 

And when your clients are happy, they’re more likely to leave you positive reviews and send referrals your way. 

4. Increase security

Checks and cash payments are less secure than credit card payments since they can be lost, misplaced, or accidentally mislabeled. Good payment service processors comply with data security and privacy requirements, ensuring your customer’s financial information is handled properly.

5. Attract new customers

Some customers may only be interested in working with service providers who accept credit card payments. By adding them to your payment methods, you can expand your market and generate new leads. 

6. Grow profit

When customers can make payments with credit cards, they may be less concerned about sticking to a strict budget. This enables them to approve upgrades or add-ons that increase the value of your invoices, bringing in additional revenue. 

Promoting credit card payments

Once you’re ready to start accepting credit card payments, you need to tell customers about your new accepted payment method. To get the word out: 

• Educate team members about how to accept credit card payments and create an SOP for them to follow. 
• Update your website, marketing materials, and social media pages to reflect the change. 
• Highlight payment options in your quotes and invoices. 
• Offer incentives for credit card payments, like small discounts. 
• Communicate about payment options early and often. 

You can also use Jobber to send an email announcement to your customers, get insights and data about the payment methods you offer, and create a website that allows customers to pay online. 

That way, you can manage the entire payment process from start to finish all in one place.