Accepting credit cards can feel like a big leap, especially if you’re running a lean operation or just starting out. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, getting set up can be fast, secure, and a smart way to support your growth. Here's what you need to know.
Understanding credit card payments
A credit card payment is when a customer pays you using funds from their card issuer, which they repay later. It can be processed in person or online, and allows you to collect payment instantly.
The University of Chicago reports that credit card usage by small US businesses nearly doubled between 2021 and 2023. While Expensify found that 83% of US businesses use at least one business card, and average monthly spend had grown to USD $24,000 by 2022. They're not just using them to pay though, they're expecting to accept them too.
Why accepting credit cards matters
Accepting cards isn't just about convenience, although your customers will certainly appreciate that. It also builds trust in your business, helping you appear more established and reliable. Faster settlement times mean less time waiting for your money, and that can make a real difference to your day-to-day cash flow.
- Offers convenience and trust to customers
- Helps cash flow with faster settlements
- Makes your business look more established
According to CardRates credit cards are now the second most preferred payment method among US small businesses, just behind cheques.
Ways to accept credit card payments
In person
If you sell face-to-face, you’ve got a few flexible options. Terminals that support chip, tap or swipe are standard, but newer QR-based methods are gaining traction too.
- Tap, chip, swipe terminals: EMV readers let customers use cards securely.
- User-presented QR codes: Scan a QR code from the customer’s phone.
- Business presented QR codes: Customers scan a QR code generated by your terminal.
Online
If you sell online, you’ll need a payment gateway that can handle credit card transactions securely and reliably. Small businesses can choose between two setup options:
- Hosted checkout: Redirects customers to a secure payment page provided by your payment partner. It’s easy to set up and doesn’t require much technical effort.
- Embedded or integrated checkout: Lets customers pay directly on your website or app. It offers more control over the look and feel but may need more development work.
Both approaches support a wide range of card types and allow for additional features like recurring billing or digital wallets if needed.
Remote payments
For businesses that invoice or take payments over the phone, there are straightforward methods too.
- Manual entry: Take card details by phone or on a web portal.
- Invoice payments: Send a secure payment link via email.
How credit card processing works
At a glance, processing a credit card might seem instantaneous—but several systems are working in the background to make it happen.
- Authorisation: The customer presents their card, and your payment system sends a request to their card issuer. The issuer checks if the account is valid and whether there are enough funds or credit available. If all looks good, it approves the transaction.
- Authentication: Often paired with authorisation, this step verifies the identity of the cardholder. It may include security checks like 3D Secure or SMS verification, depending on your provider.
- Capture: Once a payment is authorised, you or your system captures the funds. This is the confirmation that you want the money moved. For many retail transactions, this happens automatically.
- Clearing and settlement: The payment data is sent to the card networks, which coordinate between the customer’s bank (issuer) and your bank (acquirer). The funds are then transferred into your merchant account, usually within one to three business days.
The key players involved:
- Payment gateway: Acts as the messenger, securely transmitting transaction information between your system and the processor.
- Processor: Moves data through the card network and handles communication between all parties.
- Acquirer: Your bank or payment provider that receives the funds.
- Issuer: The customer’s bank or card provider that approves or declines the transaction.
- Card networks: Brands like Visa, Mastercard, American Express or UnionPay, which facilitate the communication rules and fee structures.
Understanding each step helps clarify where transaction fees come from, why delays happen, and how different solutions affect speed and reliability.
Choosing the right way to accept credit
Every business has different needs. If you're selling in person, you'll want something that's quick at the counter. If you're online, you'll want something that integrates well with your website or app.
Think about how and where you sell:
- In person only? You might need a terminal or QR code solution.
- Online only? Go for hosted or embedded checkout.
- A mix? Use a provider that offers both through a single setup.
Look for:
- Fast setup and support when you need it
- Transparent pricing you can understand
- Fraud protection tools to avoid unnecessary risk
- Multi-channel options so you don’t outgrow the solution too soon
Processing fees and other costs
Card processing comes at a cost, but the key is knowing what you're paying for and how to keep that manageable.
Most businesses pay 1.5% to 3.5% per transaction. Fees may include:
- Interchange fees: Set by the card networks
- Assessment fees: Regulatory and network costs
- Processor markups: What the provider charges for service
Beyond these, some providers add layers of extra charges that can quietly inflate your costs. For example, monthly minimums may apply, meaning you could be charged a fee if your sales volume falls below a set threshold. There may also be PCI compliance fees if your provider requires you to complete security scans or paperwork to remain certified.
Then there are refund and chargeback fees, which you’ll incur if a customer disputes a payment or requests a return. These can add up quickly, especially if you're in an industry with higher return rates or if your dispute process isn't airtight.
To keep costs in check, it's worth using an EMV reader rather than manually entering card details. Manual entry is often treated as higher risk, and tends to come with higher fees. Choosing a provider that offers local acquiring can also help you avoid cross-border charges if you sell internationally. And once you start processing at higher volumes, don’t be afraid to negotiate your rates. It’s often possible to bring fees down once your business proves its transaction history.
How to accept credit card payments online
If you're selling online, here’s a typical setup:
- Set up a store or payment page
- Integrate a payment gateway
- Activate card acceptance
Your online store could be built with an e-commerce platform like Shopify, WooCommerce or Wix, or it might be a custom-built site. Either way, you’ll need to choose a gateway that’s compatible with your setup. Some platforms have native integrations with payment providers, so setup can be as simple as toggling a setting and pasting in your API keys.
For hosted checkouts, the payment process is handled entirely by the gateway on their own secure page. This reduces your security obligations and helps ensure PCI compliance. It’s also easier to troubleshoot if issues arise.
Embedded checkouts, on the other hand, keep the user on your site through the full payment process. This gives you more design control and a smoother experience for returning customers, especially if you enable one-click payments or store customer details securely.
Once integrated, you'll need to test your setup. Most providers offer sandbox environments where you can simulate transactions and confirm everything is working as expected. When you're ready to go live, you’ll activate real payments, configure your accepted card types, and connect your settlement account.
From there, you can monitor sales through your dashboard, view payment statuses, and manage refunds or chargebacks as needed. You can also explore features like saved cards for repeat customers, or subscription tools if your business uses recurring billing.
Antom’s Online Checkout supports all of this through a single integration, letting you scale easily as your needs evolve.
Security and compliance
You don’t need to be a security expert to take payments safely. But you do need to meet PCI DSS requirements—which is much easier when your provider handles most of it for you.
Antom Shield helps you manage this without the complexity:
- Detect and block fraud in real time
- Apply 3D Secure to risky transactions
- Reduce chargebacks and payment disputes
Benefits of accepting credit cards
Taking cards does more than add a payment option. It signals trust, unlocks more sales, and can help you get paid faster.
- Boosts sales: Customers are more likely to buy if their preferred method is accepted
- Improves cash flow: Get paid faster than with bank transfers or cheques
- Builds trust: A familiar payment experience reassures new customers
Nearly 60% of small businesses use credit cards for financing, and customers expect the same flexibility when paying you.
FAQs about accepting credit card payments
Usually through an EMV reader with a low flat-rate provider.
Yes. Aggregators like Antom let you start accepting cards without a separate account.
It depends on how you sell. Mobile readers work well in person. Hosted checkout works well online.
Typically between 1.5% and 3.5%. This varies by provider and transaction type.
Yes, if you use a provider with PCI compliance, tokenisation, and fraud detection built in.
Why Antom is a great choice for accepting credit card payments
With Antom, you get:
- Fast setup via the Antom Dashboard
- A unified system for instore and online payments
- Easy configurable Auto Debit and Subscription Payments
- Built-in fraud protection with Antom Shield
- Support for hundreds of global payment methods
Whether you're just starting or scaling fast, Antom helps you accept credit card payments with less stress and more control.
