Are you accepting credit cards in your massage practice yet? If not, you should be.
There are many benefits to
accepting credit cards. It’s a known
fact that people will spend more when they can use credit cards. There are also several other advantages for
your massage business.
I’ve heard many therapists
express concern over the fees associated with processing credit cards. The pros far outweigh the cons, in my
opinion. The processing fees are simply a
cost of doing business. You’re offering
your clients a convenience. Don’t look
at the fees as money you’re losing, because you’ll likely reap many other
benefits of accepting credit cards - including making more money.
Consider the gains:
●
Improved professional appearance. Accepting credit
cards legitimizes you as a professional and helps to build trust.
●
Convenience to your clients. It’s important to make it
as easy as possible for clients to pay you. They will love the flexibility of
being able to pay with credit cards.
●
Lower risk (checks can take days to clear - or NOT
clear - and the risk is on you. Credit
cards get accepted or declined immediately).
●
Higher sales.
Not only will clients get massages more often and likely tip more, but
also buy gift certificates, packages, and products. Credit cards increase impulse purchases.
Also keep in mind that many clients use debit cards for
everything. Just because someone is
using a card doesn’t mean they are using credit or spending money they don’t
actually have. (In case this is a
concern for some therapists.)
According to Visa, over the past 10 years, people's use of electronic payments like credit cards and debit cards has increased by 400%.
A lot of credit card programs offer cash-back or other incentives for every dollar that a consumer charges to their card. People who are enrolled in rewards programs will go out of their way to pay by credit card in order to accumulate rewards.
According to Visa, over the past 10 years, people's use of electronic payments like credit cards and debit cards has increased by 400%.
A lot of credit card programs offer cash-back or other incentives for every dollar that a consumer charges to their card. People who are enrolled in rewards programs will go out of their way to pay by credit card in order to accumulate rewards.
It’s easier than ever to accept
credit cards. With companies like Square and Intuit, you can get setup for free and be
ready to swipe cards within a couple of days with nothing more than a
smartphone or tablet.
Do you have a concern about
accepting credit cards that I didn’t address here? Leave a comment and we can discuss your
concerns in another blog post.
Do you already accept credit
cards? What are other benefits that
you’ve noticed in your own massage business?
She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years, and has been an associate instructor for Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy since 2007. www.BodyworkBuddy.com
