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Acumen Connections » Blog » Credit Card Machine for Small Businesses: Understanding Our Payment Terminals (and How to Pick the Right One)

Credit Card Machine for Small Businesses: Understanding Our Payment Terminals (and How to Pick the Right One)

Five pictures of different credit card terminals

Need a credit card machine for your small business?

Look no further. We sell and rent terminals and point of sale items. Take a look at some of our most popular terminals below.

Quick look at terminals graphic

For a full list of the terminals we offer, please contact us at 800-864-4644 or support@acumenconnections.com. We are here to help you.

Here is a more detailed list of those same credit card machines and terminals from above:

Ingenico iCT220

Connection: Connects to modem.

Payment types supported: Chip, swipe, contactless payments, and manual entry.

Great for: Most businesses with a brick and mortar storefront. It sits on the counter and stays in one place. Perfect for auto repair shops, doctor offices, retail stores, and more.

Other key features: This item is its own unit. You could also get an attached PIN pad for customers, but it is not necessary. The system is easy to navigate with up/down arrow keys.

This device is lightweight and stylish. The large keys and power buzzer speed transactions and reduce PIN entry errors. It is rugged and easy to use. Just place it on your countertop. It does not require a cash register or POS system. However, you could interface it with either of those if you wanted. This device has a receipt printer.

Ingenico iCT 250

Connection: Connects to modem.

Payment types supported: Chip, swipe, contactless payments, and manual entry.

Great for: Most businesses with a brick and mortar storefront. It sits on the counter and stays in one place. Perfect for auto repair shops, doctor offices, retail stores, and more.

Other key features: This device has a color display and is its own unit. You could also get an attached PIN pad for customers, but it is not necessary. The system is easy to navigate with up/down arrow keys.

This device is lightweight, rugged, and stylish. Its color display and large buttons make it easy to use. Since it connects to a modem, you can easily keep it on your counter so that it is not misplaced. You can use this device with or without a cash register or POS system, depending on your business’s needs. This device contains a receipt printer.

iProcess

Connection: Plugs into your phone (works with Apple and Android devices). Requires internet access.

Payment types supported: Swipe or manual entry

Great for: Mobility, especially if you are away from your store or in a location that does not have a lot of electricity. Helpful for Farmers Markets, a traveling salesperson, a business without a store location, or events.

Other key features: You can set the default tax rate or enter your tax rate in manually. You can also set up your receipts to automatically display your business information such as business name, address, website, phone number, and customer message. Receipts can be emailed or texted to the customer.

The iProcess is simple and fast. Since it just needs a cellular or WIFI connection, it is easy to setup and use. It comes with a variety of features and works flawlessly. Since the device is so mobile, it is a solution for many businesses on the go. Its small features mean that it is easy to transport and manage. It can even geotag the location of the sale on the receipt so that you and the customer will both know where the purchase was made. This device really is a game changer for mobile payment processing.

Verifone VX 520 EMV

Connection: Connects to phone or internet line.

Payment types supported: Chip, swipe, contactless payments, and manual entry.

Great for: Most businesses with a brick and mortar storefront. It sits on the counter and stays in one place. Perfect for auto repair shops, doctor offices, retail stores, and more.

Other key features: This item is its own unit. It has its own static IP address. The screen has 4 buttons to the right of it that allow you to select from the options on the screen, which can save time.

This device was built to last and to be reliable and rugged. Its powerful processor and expandable memory give it lightning fast speeds. This device has high performance and security. Since it comes with the choice of dial-up or ethernet connectivity, it is easy to set up.

Verifone VX 680 3G EMV

Connection: Wireless. Just needs access to secure Wi-Fi.

Payment types supported: Chip, swipe, contactless payments, and manual entry.

Great for: A salesperson that is on-the-go within the store. Flower shops, stadium vendors, and more use this item.

Other key features: It has a color display, a touchscreen, and long-lasting battery.

This device has flexible connectivity options, which allow you to enable payment acceptance anywhere. Its small size and large touchscreen make it easy to use. The Verifone VX680 3G EMV also supports value-added apps. These can provide merchants with new revenue opportunities.

Ultimately, choosing the right credit card machine for your small business is up to you. You might want to consider how mobile of a device you need. Will you need someone to carry the device out of the store? Or will keeping it in one location on the counter work best for you and your employees? You will also need to consider what connections you have access to in the store. You may have Wi-Fi or an internet line your device needs to connect to. Consider your customers’ needs as well. Do they prefer to pay with a physical credit card or with a form of contactless payment? It is also important to consider your employees’ needs as well. Will they need a color display terminal, or will a black and white screen work?

If you have questions about any of the credit card machines on this list, please give us a call. We can help find the perfect terminal, or credit card machine, for your small business.

At Acumen Connections, we are all about helping businesses succeed. Along with these terminals and credit card machines, we also provide payment processing services, small business loans, and more! You can learn more about our credit card machines here: https://acumenconnections.com/shop/.

Renee McBride

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“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one,” is my favorite quote. I’ve been working since high school mostly with small, growing businesses across various industries. I’ve had to wear many hats for each role. In that time, I’ve learned that problem-solving and helping pass on that information to others is what drives me. Today, I’m the Digital Marketing Manager at Acumen Connections.

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