To our Square community:
We’re all facing unique challenges right now, and for business owners, the stakes are particularly high. We want to offer support and help in the ways we can.
Be sure to bookmark this page for the latest information and tools to support you and your business.
Disclaimer: Nothing on this webpage should be construed as legal advice. Please always consult a knowledgeable professional advisor.
Steps you can take:
Sell and accept orders online
The UK Government’s guidelines on social distancing remain in place. To continue selling, you can set up an online store using one of Square’s free options, or use Online Checkout to take payments without setting up an online store. You can also sell on Facebook and Instagram to connect with your followers. For operating in person, you can take online orders for click and collect (curbside pickup).
Promote gift cards
Gift cards can help increase cash flow while your business is closed or affected by social distancing. We’ve seen a lot of sellers ask their regular customers to purchase physical gift cards and eGift cards as a show of support. Scroll down to learn how to set up eGift Cards free.
Use touch-free and remote payments
As customers look to avoid touching surfaces, you might consider skipping the receipt screen during checkout. You can also encourage your customers to use their mobile devices or contactless cards to complete payment so they touch fewer surfaces. If you aren’t seeing customers in person, consider remote payment options like invoices; scroll down to learn more.
Communicate with your customers
Use email and social media to keep your customers up to date. Share with them ways they can support your business, what your new hours are, if you’re now offering delivery or online services, or if you’re closing for a period of time.
Support your team
This time is as unpredictable for your staff as it is for you. To ensure your staff stays healthy, make sure they stay home if they are sick, frequently wash their hands, and keep contact with one another and customers to a minimum. Make sure your paid time off and sick leave policies are compliant with local labour laws as laws may have changed in response to the virus.
More steps for your business
Get set up
Online Store
No matter what kind of business you run, you can create an online ordering page with Square Online that allows you to provide click and collect (curbside pickup) or local delivery. The online ordering page automatically integrates with all Square POS apps, Order Manager, and Customer Directory. We are waiving delivery fees until 1 April 2021 and there is no monthly fee for click and collect.
If you only have a product to sell or don’t need a whole online store, you can use Square Online Checkout to create shareable links. Give whatever you’re selling a name and price, create the link, and then add it to your website, blog, email, texts, or social posts.
Learn how to:
Set up an online ordering page [VIDEO] >
Turn on click and collect (curbside pickup) [VIDEO] >
Set up local delivery [VIDEO] >
Remote payments
Even without an online store, you can take payments remotely. You can use invoices to request and collect online payments for goods and services — no matter where you are. Customers can pay invoices from their mobile phone or computer with their debit or credit cards.
Another option for collecting payments and making sales online is a virtual terminal, which turns your computer into a point-of-sale and allows you to key-in and charge credit and debit cards from your web browser. You can also use a virtual terminal to schedule recurring quick-charge or itemised sales for repeat customers.
Learn how to:
Send invoices online [VIDEO] >
Take payments with Virtual Terminal [VIDEO] >
eGift Cards
You can set up a free ordering page to sell digital gift cards. The page allows customers to purchase eGift Cards online and send them to a recipient of their choice (or themselves) via email. eGift Cards can be redeemed in-store and on Square Online Store.
We’ve launched a new online directory, Give and Get Local, which will allow customers to search for your business and purchase eGift Cards directly from your site. All eGift Cards sellers have the option to be featured in the directory. Visit the eGift Cards tab in your Square Dashboard to toggle this setting on or off.
Learn how to:
Set up your eGift Cards ordering site [VIDEO] >
Increase gift card sales >
Managing subscriptions
To help make managing your subscriptions easier, we’ve introduced the ability to pause a subscription as well. When you pause a subscription you will not be billed. You can unpause at any time and your account will be ready for you.
Resources
Find other businesses to talk to about how you’re handling the current situation, trade tips and share best practices for keeping your employees and customers safe.
We’ve compiled information about contactless payments, communicating with your customers, selling online, and other topics to help you navigate the current situation.
We’ve partnered with Skillshare, an online learning community, to provide you with a free three-month membership. Together, we’ve developed three learning tracks — Sales & Marketing, Leadership & Management, and Business Operations — each of which contains classes taught by industry icons and experts.
Stay informed
Information for Businesses in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales