If you’re searching for the best hair salon merchant account providers, you’ve found the right place. As a business owner, it’s essential to understand the significance of credit card processing and to have a merchant account. Not only does it ensure a steady flow of income, and it also allows you to offer customers various payment options. When selecting a merchant service, it’s essential to consider the different types available and their features before making a final decision. Your salon or spa can thrive and meet your customers’ needs with the right payment processing solution.
Best Hair Salon Merchant Account Providers
- PaymentCloud
- Host Merchant Services
- Vagaro
- National Processing
- Fresha
PaymentCloud
PaymentCloud is located in Woodland Hills, California, and It specializes in offering merchant accounts to businesses that cater to a wide range of business types, from standard to high risk. They offer a variety of products and services to help businesses manage their transactions and finances, including point-of-sale solutions, an online payment gateway, mobile phone swipers, EMV-compatible terminals, a virtual terminal, and merchant cash advances.
These features make PaymentCloud an excellent option for hair salons, as it allows them to easily manage inventory, keep accurate records, and charge for services. Additionally, PaymentCloud assigns a dedicated account representative to new merchants for the duration of their account and has no negative complaints on public forums. They also offer customized pricing based on each merchant’s processing history and business type.
Host Merchant Services
Host Merchant Services is a merchant account provider based in Newark, Delaware. It provides adequate options for salon-type merchants. They offer various products and services to help businesses manage their transactions and finances. HMS offers online marketing tools, point-of-sale solutions, an online payment gateway, merchant cash advance, a virtual terminal, loyalty and gift programs, and mobile credit card processing. They also provide various e-commerce options for salon owners who want to maintain a robust online presence.
HMS has received positive feedback on forums, with many reviewers praising their customer service. They offer an interchange-plus pricing model without any early termination fees, providing salon owners with a transparent pricing structure and the freedom to cancel service without fees.
Vagaro
Vagaro is an all-in-one system designed specifically for salons and spas. It offers a wide range of features beyond just POS, providing salons with a comprehensive solution for managing their business. Some features of the Vagaro system include online appointment scheduling, email and SMS marketing, subscription payments, website builder, eCommerce, video streaming, advanced business reporting, hardware, and payroll. Despite the extensive range of features, Vagaro is still very affordable, with plans starting as low as $25 per month and the option to add additional features and hardware as needed.
National Processing
National Processing is a merchant provider that has been operating since 2008. They are known for being at the forefront of the industry’s shift towards subscription-style, flat-rate pricing. The company offers a variety of products and services, including EMV-compatible countertop terminals, an online payment gateway, a virtual terminal, an online shopping cart, QuickBooks integration, recurring billing, mobile phone processing, and online invoicing. They are capable of serving all high-risk hair salons and provide an in-depth dashboard for tracking all clients and payments.
National Processing offers various pricing options to its merchants, including plans that charge a fixed fee on every transaction or a flat monthly payment plus a flat dollar amount per transaction. This allows merchants to choose between a percentage markup on every transaction or a flat fee.
Fresha
Fresha is a comprehensive POS system designed specifically for salons and spas. What sets it apart from others is that it is the only wholly subscription-free salon system., making it an ideal choice for new salons that need to keep costs low. Fresha offers a wide range of features beyond just a point-of-sale system, including easy-to-use staff scheduling, salon appointment scheduling product, stock management, analytics, financial reporting and payment processing, and various marketing tools. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to manage your salon’s operations and customer interactions.
Tips for Choosing a Salon Merchant Account Provider
Here are some tips for choosing a salon merchant account provider.
Security and Compliance
Security and compliance are among the most important things to look for when choosing a merchant account provider. The provider needs to be PCI-compliant, which means they follow stringent security guidelines to safeguard the private data of your salon’s clients. This includes measures such as encryption and tokenization to protect against data breaches. Additionally, ensure that the provider complies with the latest security standards, such as EMV (Europay, Mastercard, Visa), An international norm for cards embedded with computer chips, and the methods employed to verify transactions using these cards.
Fees and Pricing
Another vital factor to consider when choosing a salon merchant account provider is the fees and pricing. Different providers will have different prices and pricing structures, so it is essential to compare them to find the best deal for your salon. Some providers will charge a flat fee for each transaction, while others will charge a percentage of each sale. Some providers also charge additional fees for services like chargebacks and monthly account maintenance. Be sure to read the fine print and understand each provider’s fees and pricing structures before deciding.
Customer Service
When choosing a salon merchant account provider, it is also important to consider the level of customer service that the provider offers. A good provider will have a dedicated support team available to help you with any questions or issues that may arise. They should also have a variety of communication channels, such as email, phone, and live chat, so that you can reach them at any time. Additionally, consider if the provider offers staff training and support and how much control you have over your account, like reporting and reconciliation.
Integration and Additional features
Another critical factor to consider when choosing a salon merchant account provider is the level of integration and additional features that the provider offers. Some providers will only provide a basic point-of-sale system. In contrast, others will show more advanced features such as appointment scheduling, staff scheduling, product, and stock management, financial reporting, and marketing tools. Consider the needs of your salon and choose a provider that offers the features you need to run your salon more efficiently.
Conclusion
Choosing the best salon merchant account provider is essential for the success of your salon. By considering factors such as security and compliance, fees and pricing, customer service and integration, and additional features, you can find a well-suited provider for your salon’s needs. Additionally, it is vital to read reviews and conduct proper research on the provider you are considering. By finding the right provider, you can ensure that your salon can accept credit and debit card payments, making it easier for your customers to pay for your services.
