As a landscaper, you may frequently find yourself working on projects that require payment from your clients. Whether you’re working on a one-time project or providing ongoing maintenance services, having a reliable way to accept payments is crucial to the success of your business. That’s where a merchant account comes in. Here is a list of the best merchant accounts for landscapers that you might want to successfully run your business.
A merchant account is a type of bank account that allows your business to accept payments in the form of credit or debit cards. It acts as a middleman between your business and the financial institution that issued the card, facilitating the transfer of funds from the customer’s account to yours.
A merchant account is essential for landscapers because it provides a convenient and secure way for your clients to pay you. It’s much easier for customers to pull out their credit or debit cards and pay on the spot rather than write a check or go to the bank to transfer funds. Additionally, using a merchant account can help protect your business from fraud, as it ensures that the payment is made by the cardholder rather than someone else.
Top Merchant Accounts for Landscapers
- Payment Cloud
- Host Merchant Services
- Square
- Shopify
- CDG Commerce
Payment Cloud
PaymentCloud is a merchant account provider located in Woodland Hills, California, specializing in serving standard to higher-risk businesses. The company offers a range of products and services tailored to the needs of landscapers, including POS solutions, an online payment gateway, mobile phone swipers, a virtual terminal, merchant cash advances, and EMV-compatible terminals.
These services allow landscapers to accept on-site and online payments, making PaymentCloud a convenient and reliable option for their payment needs. In addition to its range of payment solutions, PaymentCloud assigns each new merchant a dedicated account representative for the duration of their account.
This personalized support, combined with the company’s customizable pricing based on the merchant’s processing history and business type, has earned PaymentCloud a reputation for excellent service. The company hasn’t received negative complaints on customer forums.
Host Merchant Services
A premier merchant account provider based in Newark, Delaware, that is famous for landscaping businesses of all sizes. The company offers a range of products and services specifically designed for landscapers, including a virtual terminal, a mobile credit card processing app for iPad, iPhone, and Android devices, and online marketing tools.
In addition, Host Merchant Services provides interested applicants with business-class email and a free website. Both independent landscapers and larger landscaping businesses can benefit from the offerings of Host Merchant Services.
The company has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from users on public forums, with many reviewers praising the company’s excellent customer service. In addition to providing top-notch support, Host offers a competitive interchange-plus pricing model without early termination fees. This transparent pricing allows landscaping businesses to enjoy competitive rates and the freedom to cancel service without penalty.
Square
Square is a widely-used merchant account provider that offers a range of payment options for businesses of all sizes. Based in San Francisco, the company was founded in 2009 and has since become known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features.
One of the critical features of Square is its mobile card reader, which allows businesses to accept credit and debit card payments on the go using a smartphone or tablet. The device is small and portable, making it a convenient option for landscapers who frequently work on-site and need to accept payment at the time of service. Square also offers a virtual terminal and online payment gateway, which allows businesses to accept payments through their website or online invoicing system.
In addition to its payment options, Square offers a range of tools to help businesses manage their finances and grow their customer base. This includes inventory management, customer relationship management, and marketing tools. Square offers good customer support, with various resources available online and through its mobile app.
Overall, Square is a reliable and user-friendly merchant account provider that is well-suited for landscaping businesses of all sizes. Its mobile card reader and online payment options make it convenient for accepting payments. Its range of financial management and marketing tools can help landscapers grow and manage their businesses.
Shopify
While Shopify is mainly an e-commerce website for online merchants, the company has expanded its offerings to include a POS solution for iPad and iPhones. The Shopify POS app allows businesses to accept card payments using a mobile card swiper or an EMV reader (available for an additional fee). It also includes useful features, such as inventory syncing with an online store, emailed receipts, basic email marketing, automatic tax calculations, and in-store refunds.
Landscapers, in particular, can benefit from the convenience of accepting payments using their phones and through online billing. In addition to its POS app, Shopify offers a customizable online store that you can easily pair with the app. The company is located in Ottawa, Ontario, and it’s been operating since 2005.
Shopify offers month-to-month pricing plans with variable pricing and product tiers and provides live chat, email, and phone support for all of its tiers. Despite serving a large user base, Shopify has received very few online complaints. If you’re looking for a reliable and customizable payment solution for your landscaping business, Shopify is worth considering.
CDG Commerce
If you’re a standard-risk merchant needing a simple and cost-effective payment processing solution, look no further than CDG Commerce. Based in Chesapeake, Virginia, this privately-owned company has been operating since 1998.
It offers a range of products and services tailored to businesses of all sizes and types. Landscapers, in particular, can benefit from CDG’s proprietary payment gateway, virtual terminal, mobile phone processing, QuickBooks integration, security breach protection, sales reporting, and vulnerability scanning.
In addition to its comprehensive range of features, CDG Commerce stands out for its competitive pricing and contractual terms. The company charges a meager fee per transaction and has no annual and termination fees or monthly minimums.
Most business types are also eligible for next-day funding. With its straightforward and affordable solution, CDG Commerce is an excellent choice for landscapers looking to streamline their payment processing.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Merchant Account for Landscapers
When choosing a merchant account for your landscaping business, there are a few key factors to consider:
Fees
Most merchant accounts charge fees for each transaction, as well as monthly or annual fees. It’s important to compare different merchant accounts’ fees to see which is the most cost-effective for your business.
Payment options
Ensure that the merchant account you choose allows you to accept the types of payments your clients prefer. This may include credit and debit cards, ACH payments (electronic transfers from a bank account), or both.
Easy to use
Look for a merchant account with a user-friendly interface and good customer support. This will make it easier for you to manage your account and resolve any issues that may arise.
Consider your business needs
Think about the type of payments you need to accept and the frequency of transactions. For example, a mobile card reader may be the best option if you do much on-site work and need to accept payment at the time of service. On the other hand, if you work remotely and your clients prefer to pay online, an online payment gateway may be the better choice.
Read reviews and ask for recommendations
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations from other landscapers or read online reviews to see which merchant accounts have a good reputation.
Conclusion
Choosing the proper merchant account can streamline your landscaping business’s payment process and make it easier for customers to pay you. Carefully consider your business needs and the available options to find the best merchant account for your company.
