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Card reader
Take debit and credit card payments face to face using a portable card terminal connected to a payment provider.
Polar Payment Setup
Accept card payments online as a UK small business.
Compare card payments, bank transfers, payment links, online checkout, card readers and other ways to get paid — without making your payment setup more complicated than the business needs.
Getting paid
A sale isn’t finished until the customer can actually pay you.
The right payment setup depends on where and how you sell. A tradesperson taking deposits may need something different from a shop, consultant, online retailer or subscription business.
Modern payment providers can let small businesses take card payments using terminals, phones, websites, payment links and virtual terminals. Bank transfer and direct debit may also make sense depending on the business model.
The objective is not to offer every possible payment method. It is to remove unnecessary friction between the customer deciding to buy and the money reaching the business.
Make paying you easier than putting the purchase off.
Good payment setup is simple for the customer and manageable for the business.
Small business payment options
Six common ways small businesses can take payments.
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Tap to Pay
Some providers allow compatible smartphones to accept contactless card and digital-wallet payments without a separate card reader.
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Payment link
Send the customer a secure link by email, message or another channel so they can complete the payment online.
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Website checkout
Take payments directly through an ecommerce shop, booking system or online checkout.
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Bank transfer
Give the customer your business bank details and ask them to transfer the agreed amount.
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Recurring payment
Subscriptions, memberships and ongoing services may use recurring card payments or Direct Debit where appropriate.
Accept card payments
Card payments no longer require a traditional till and fixed terminal.
Current UK providers such as Square and SumUp offer several ways for small businesses to accept debit and credit cards — including portable readers, smartphones, online payments and virtual terminals.
Card readers and compatible mobile devices can take contactless, chip-and-PIN and supported digital-wallet payments.
Online checkout, payment links and virtual terminals can be useful where the customer is not standing in front of you.
Payment links or remote card payments can make it easier to collect deposits before an appointment, booking or piece of work.
Depending on the provider and checkout, customers may be able to pay using services such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Accept payments online
You don’t necessarily need a full ecommerce website to get paid online.
Payment links have become an important option for businesses that want customers to pay remotely without building an elaborate checkout.
A payment link can be sent with an invoice, email, text message or booking confirmation. For businesses selling directly through a website, an integrated checkout may provide a smoother experience.
Payment links
Create a secure payment page and send the customer the link.
Online checkout
Customers pay during the normal website purchasing journey.
Invoices with payment options
Make it easier for the customer to move directly from invoice to payment.
Virtual terminal
Some providers allow authorised businesses to enter card details securely when taking payments remotely.
Recurring payments
Useful where the customer pays regularly for an ongoing service or subscription.
Card payment fees
Compare the full cost of getting paid — not just the headline transaction rate.
Payment providers use different combinations of hardware costs, transaction charges, monthly subscriptions and optional service fees.
Transaction fee
Providers may charge a percentage, fixed amount or combination each time a payment is processed.
Equipment
Check whether card readers or terminals are bought outright, rented or included with a subscription.
Additional services
Faster payouts, international cards, manually entered transactions or premium features may carry different charges.
Choosing a payment provider
Choose for your customers, your margins and your workflow.
Stripe’s current guidance recommends matching payment methods to your business model, customer behaviour, costs, cash-flow requirements, security needs and future growth.
That is more useful than simply choosing whichever provider advertises the lowest-looking number.
Payment security
Let proper payment systems handle sensitive card information.
Taking payments means handling customer money and sometimes sensitive payment information. Use reputable providers and follow their secure payment processes rather than inventing workarounds.
Be particularly careful with card details provided remotely. Payment links and approved payment interfaces can reduce the need for a small business to handle card information directly.
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Use reputable payment providers.
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Keep payment software and devices updated.
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Avoid storing card details yourself unless you have a genuine compliant need.
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Understand refunds, chargebacks and payment disputes.
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Reconcile payments with invoices and customer records.
Payment setup mistakes
Five ways getting paid becomes harder than it needs to be.
If customers struggle to pay, some will delay and some may simply disappear.
Hardware, monthly charges, payout speed and additional fees can change the real cost.
A simple remote-payment option can help turn an enquiry or booking into committed work.
Know which customer and invoice each payment belongs to rather than solving the mystery at month end.
Choose a setup that can still work when transaction volume and customer numbers increase.
Polar Payment Setup
Decide how customers will pay before the first invoice starts waiting.
Polar helps connect payment setup with the rest of your business — your customers, pricing, invoices, bank account and accounting journey.
Think through how customers buy, where payments happen and what needs to happen after the money arrives so getting paid becomes part of the workflow rather than another disconnected system.
Small business payments FAQs
Taking payments in the UK: common questions.
How can a small business accept card payments?
Small businesses can take cards using card readers, compatible smartphones, online checkout, payment links and virtual terminals, depending on the provider and type of transaction.
Can I accept card payments using my phone?
Some UK payment providers support Tap to Pay or similar technology on compatible smartphones, allowing eligible businesses to take contactless payments without a separate traditional card terminal.
What is a payment link?
A payment link takes the customer to a secure online payment page. Businesses can send the link by email, messaging or alongside an invoice or booking confirmation.
How can I take payments online without a website?
Some payment providers offer payment links or hosted payment pages that let customers pay online without the business building a full ecommerce website.
What payment methods should a small business accept?
Choose payment methods based on your customers, where you sell, transaction size, fees and business model. Common options include cards, bank transfer, cash, payment links and recurring payments.
How much does it cost to accept card payments?
Costs vary by provider and may include transaction fees, hardware, subscriptions and additional charges for certain payment types or services. Compare the expected total cost for your own transaction pattern.
What is a virtual terminal?
A virtual terminal is an online interface that can allow authorised businesses to process card-not-present payments without a physical card reader. Provider rules, security requirements and fees vary.
Should I accept bank transfers?
Bank transfer can be useful for invoices and some larger transactions, but consider the customer experience, reconciliation and how quickly you can confirm that payment has arrived.
Can I take deposits online?
Yes. Depending on your provider, online checkout, payment links or invoices with online payment options can be used to collect deposits.
How quickly do card payments reach my business bank account?
Settlement times vary by provider. Standard payouts may take one or more business days, while some providers offer faster or instant transfer options for an additional charge.
Make it easy to say yes — and pay.
Choose payment methods that remove friction between the sale and the money arriving.
Polar Payment Setup helps you make practical payment decisions as part of the wider journey from first customer to first invoice and beyond.
Connect getting paid with keeping the business organised.
Taking a card payment and managing the invoice are separate jobs. Your chosen payment provider processes the transaction. Keep a record of the invoice, the amount paid, any processing fee and the amount that reaches your bank account.
For example, if a customer pays a £200 invoice and a fee is deducted, the bank deposit alone will not explain the full transaction. Match the payment to the invoice and record the fee so you can see what was paid and what it cost.
Polar’s accounts and payment-tracking tools can help organise the business records around getting paid. Check the features included in your plan and how your chosen provider fits your setup.
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