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These days, most people expect to pay by card or phone. If your business only takes cash, you’re losing out on sales. The good news? Accepting credit card payments is easier than ever – whether you run a physical shop, sell online, work on the go or take phone orders.
Common ways to accept credit card payments
However you do business, there’s a simple way to take credit and debit card payments:
- In person: Use a point-of-sale (POS) system so customers can tap to pay with their card or phone.
- Online: Accept payments through an online store, invoice or payment link.
- Over the phone: Key in card details using POS software or a virtual terminal.
Each payment tool is easy to set up and helps you get paid fast – so you can get on with running your business. Let’s unpack your options.
How to accept credit card payments in person
If you sell face-to-face, you’ll need a POS system, which includes POS software and a physical card reader. Most card readers support contactless payments, so customers can tap or insert their card, or tap their phone using mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Here are some payment setups to fit your business needs:
Using an integrated POS system
For a complete payments system, you can use an all-in-one POS solution (like Square Register) or turn your iPad into a full POS system (with Square Stand). Both come with everything you need to take card payments – a built-in card reader, touchscreen and POS software – plus tools like sales tracking, inventory management and customer insights. Want extra efficiency? Adding a self-ordering kiosk lets customers skip the line, order and pay on their own.
Using an EFTPOS terminal
If you’re after something simple, an EFTPOS terminal is a compact device designed specifically for taking payments. It combines the hardware and software needed to process card transactions, making it ideal for businesses that just need the basics without the extra features of a full POS system.
Using a portable card reader
Need to take payments on the go? No problem. Just wirelessly connect a pocket-sized card reader to your phone or tablet, download a POS app, and you’re ready to accept card payments anywhere – perfect for mobile businesses, market stalls and pop-ups.
How to receive credit card payments online
Selling or doing business online? You can set up an online store, invoice or payment link, which lets customers pay securely with their card.
Through an online store
If you need a dedicated online store to sell your products or services, you can create an eCommerce site with built-in payment processing. This way, customers can browse, add items to their cart and pay by card at checkout. With Square Online, you also get features like inventory management, customisable store designs and integrated shipping options – all in one, easy-to-use platform.
Through your existing website
Already have a self-hosted, custom-built website? Use developer tools to seamlessly integrate a payment gateway and checkout into your site, so customers can pay without leaving your store.
Sending an online invoice
If you don’t have a website but need to bill customers, you can send an online invoice that lets them pay with their card in just a few clicks. This is a great option if you’re a freelancer, tradie or service-based business. Modern invoicing software includes features like automatic reminders and recurring payments, saving you time on admin tasks.
Sending a payment link
Need to accept a one-off card or custom payment? Send a payment link to your customers via email, text or social media. They simply click the link, enter their card details and complete the payment.
How to take credit card payments over the phone
If you take orders, bookings or deposits over the phone, you can use a POS or virtual terminal to process payments remotely. These allow you to enter the card details and complete payments instantly.
Using POS in-store
If you’re at the counter and a customer calls to pay over the phone, you can use Square POS to manually enter their card details. To process the sale, just ring up the items on your display and key in their card info – quick and easy for those moments when a customer can’t pay in person.
Using a virtual terminal online
A virtual terminal turns your web browser into a payments terminal, letting you manually key in a customer’s card details without needing a card reader. Once entered, the payment is processed in real-time, making this setup ideal for phone orders and remote billing.
While card-not-present transactions carry a higher fraud risk since the customer’s card isn’t in front of you, using secure payment tools like these helps protect your business. Learn more about how to accept phone payments securely and safely.
Benefits of accepting credit card payments
Still unsure about taking card payments? Here’s why it’s a win for your business:
- It’s convenient for customers. Three-quarters of Aussie shoppers find credit card payments convenient, according to 2025 Square data. The easier you make it to pay, the more likely customers are to buy from you.
- Transactions are faster. Tap-and-go and mobile payments are quick, keeping queues moving and customers happy.
- You build trust. Accepting card and contactless payments shows your business is modern, professional and reliable, which helps build customer trust.
- Boost your sales. Customers tend to spend more when they’re not limited by cash. Accepting cards can increase your average transaction size and overall sales.
- Get useful insights. With a dashboard tool, you can easily track card payments, monitor your sales, spot trends and make smarter decisions based on real-time data.
- Payments are secure. Handling less cash means lower theft risks. Plus, modern payment processors like Square offer built-in payment security and PCI compliance to keep cardholder data safe.
How much does it cost to take credit card payments?
Each payment provider charges different fees for processing card payments, but Square’s costs are simple:
- For in-person payments, you’ll pay just 1.6% per transaction.
- For online and remote payments, the fee is 2.2% per transaction.
- The core POS software is free to use, and hardware is as low as $65. No setup, lock-in or hidden fees – you only pay when you take a payment.
Whether you need in-person, remote or online payment processing, Square’s transparent pricing means you know exactly what you’re paying. Unlike other payment processors, you don’t need a separate merchant account with Square. All the tools you need for credit card processing and merchant services are in one platform – simplifying how you manage your payments and business.
At the end of the day, making it easy for customers to pay means more sales, smoother operations and a better overall experience. If you’re ready to start taking credit card payments, Square makes it simple with affordable, secure and user-friendly solutions.
