While cards are still the most favored method of payment, digital wallet services, new mobile point-of-sale technologies, and front-end consumer technologies such as mobile apps are increasing in popularity, says Charles Pittaway, managing director of Sage Pay.
The Sage 2015 Payments Landscape Report shows that mobile spending is growing at 36% per annum.
“As cash bows out of the payments scene, there are plenty of alternatives. Players include the Internet giants, who are keen on leveraging social networks to facilitate payments as well as digital currencies. These alternative ecosystems are far from mature, but they are growing up fast.”
While consumers are increasingly embracing new ways to pay, many businesses are still hesitant to embrace new payment technologies, which could potentially limit a business’s ability to retain its customer base and attract new clientele, says Pittaway, who cautions that it’s critical for businesses to stay abreast of major developments in mobile and digital payments as well as changes that may have a significant impact in the near future.
Here are six ways to be prepared to handle innovations within the payments industry:
1. Don’t be apprehensive
Many new payment methods are just an adaptation of things that have been around for a little while now and won’t be brand new to you.
2. Embrace the new
All new payment methods are and will be defined by approved industry standards, so there’s no need to fear them.
3. Don’t rush to buy
NFC, the technology behind both Contactless and ApplePay, can be used in conjunction with most of the latest card payment terminals in the market, so you won’t require new and expensive technology. Check with your payments provider on whether your technology needs updating or not.
4. Listen to feedback
If you’ve been getting lots of requests for a certain payment type that you don’t offer, then act.
5. Be aware
One major difference between today’s contactless debit cards and the future is the value of transactions that can be processed. This change will demand new technology as suppliers bring in additional ways to verify whether a transaction is legitimate; for example, with biometrics.
6. Be ready
Make sure you look to your provider to give you guidance on when and how they will support you in providing these new payment methods.
