Credit cards are social too!

Does the thought of reviewing your merchant credit card statement sound as appealing as getting a root canal? It's not unusual to fear the unknown! Credit card statements come in a variety of styles and colors and many are intentionally designed to confuse you. Yes, there are hidden fees. As well as obvious ones that are so confusing you might not even know how to ask what they are.

Your merchant account is major player in your business. While typically thought of as a neccessary evil, it doesn't have to be that way. The good news is you've made the decision to accept cards because it's clear your customers like to pay in plastic. That's simply good customer service. I'm one of these customers. I'd love to carry cash but I don't. And statistics show I'm not alone. (See infographic from consumercredit.com.) Aside from protecting against fraud and chargebacks and bad reviews and the like, your credit card terminal can also serve as an asset to your business. One swipe of a card can give you all the information on an individual customer that you need to keep them coming back and get more of their business. Which means more cash for you. And it's social. Loyalty programs are one way to make your investment work for you. I know I love my Starbucks card. Email addresses and cell phone numbers are another. That's direct acces to your customer when they're not in the store, or when they driving right by. Get in here!

Bump it up a notch and you can be connected not just to a cash drawer but to a whole point of sale system. Bells and whistles aside, wouldn't it be great to actually know what your inventory is and not just assume? Real numbers, efficiency, organization. Everything they taught us in management school about running a business. Bottom line, more time for you to spend with the customers making a sale.

Don't just swipe a card and hope for the best! Put your merchant account to work for you. Step up with confidence and ask a knowledgable professional to take a look at your statement today! Seriously, it's not "What do I have to lose?" It's what you have to gain!

Need someone to take a look at your merchant credit card statement? Contact me for a referral: Lisa Dubino, gosocialdigital@gmail.com, 603.344.8456. Or you can private message me in Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn at Go Social Digital.