How to Accept Credit Cards in a Cafe

Businesses that accept credit cards as a form of customer payment often have increased sales. Credit cards provide the customer with a way to purchase items without having cash. To begin accepting credit cards in your cafe, you need to establish a merchant account. A merchant account processor then handles the process of withdrawing the money from the customers' accounts and transferring the money into your business bank account.

• 1

  Contact your business bank or credit union. Inquire about the merchant account. Ask for a breakdown of all fees and charges associated with the merchant account. Typical fees are: setup fee, terminal fee, transaction fee, percentage of sale retained fee, monthly fees, minimum fees and any other miscellaneous fees.

• 2

  Check with any business clubs you may be a member of. Some clubs offer merchant accounts to qualifying members. Again, inquire about all fees associated with the account.

• 3

  Review all of the information and apply for the merchant account with the bank you feel will work best for you and your cafe. Provide the bank with all the required information. Banks typically want to know how long you've been in business and your monthly sales.

• 4

  Order the necessary equipment. The equipment will vary depending on your cafe setup. You may use stand-alone credit card terminals or you may need additional software to incorporate with your existing computers. Your merchant account provider will guide you through the process and assist you with setup and training.