When a countertop machine is right
If every customer pays at the counter, a countertop card terminal is the simplest choice. It stays plugged in, stays charged and is always where staff expect it.
- Shops and independent retail
- Takeaways and food counters
- Butchers, bakeries, delis and greengrocers
- Cafes with a queue at the till
What to look for
- Speed. A contactless payment should take a second or two.
- A clear screen customers can read without leaning over the counter.
- A printer if your customers still ask for paper receipts.
- EPOS integration if you want the amount sent from your till, so staff don't key it twice.
- 4G backup for the day the broadband fails.
Countertop plus portable
Plenty of businesses run one of each: a countertop machine at the till and a portable one for tables, outdoor seating or deliveries. Both can sit on one account, so reporting stays simple.
Tell me what till you use and how busy you get, and I'll suggest a setup. Or compare the providers first.