Wireless Credit Card Processing

Wireless credit card processing is the ability to accept credit cards without the need of a traditional processing terminal at a wired location. A transportable keypad, screen and swiping unit make it possible to process credit cards most anywhere—these are generally referred to as a Point of Sale system or POS.

Versatility of Wireless Processing

Wireless credit card processing is best for merchants that accept credit card payments directly at a customer’s home (repairmen, delivery experts, COD transactions, etc…), at trade shows, conventions, or expos. It is no longer necessary to collect the data in paper format to be transferred into a main terminal at the base location. Wireless processing units allow a company to transact business from anywhere a network connection is available.

How it Works

These handheld devices maintain network connections that allow information, such as digital signatures and other credit card information, to be processed quickly and securely. There are both long-range and short-range wireless processing services available. Long-range systems utilize networking systems similar to how cell towers transmit data to and from cellular phones. These are used mostly by those who visit the same multiple locations on a regular basis. Short-range services are run with a similar connection of a wireless house phone with multiple units. These are used most often when it is necessary to process credit card payments from different locations within the main facility.

Pros and Cons of Wireless Credit Card Processing

While wireless credit card processing has many advantages, there are also a couple of disadvantages that should be considered when selecting the right processing type for your business.

Pros

• Lower Transaction Fees: Because each credit card is physically swiped through a handheld POS terminal, the transaction fees are lower, because the risk to the processor is lower.
  
  
• Security/Fraud Reduction: Ledgers, transaction tickets, and potentially unsecured sensitive credit card information are no longer necessary to carry around and the possibility of compromising data is eliminated.
  
  
• Convenient: Business can be conducted wherever there is a network connection available—much like a cell phone tower.

Cons

• Equipment Cost: Mobile POS terminals must be purchased and in most cases cannot be leased or rented. This adds to the cost of doing business. If enough transactions will be made, this con may be a minimal consideration for your business.
  
  
• Network Connection: This type of processing still depends on a viable network connection and will not function properly with low or no signal.

Which Wireless Credit Card Processor is the Best?

Creditcardprocessing.tv is a unique review site that has been developed to assist merchants in determining which credit card processing company makes the best fit for their business. At the top of this page are our reviews of the three wireless credit card processing companies that ranked highest in their field. Our reviews are based on site uptime (the amount of time the system is up, running and available for use), fee schedule—including cancellation fees and per transaction fees, length of contract, and percentage rates.