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What are the best payment methods for small businesses?

What’s the best payment method for small businesses? Some say cash is king, while others swear by credit cards. But in light of the coronavirus, small business owners may have had to forgo their preferred payment method and switch to online payments.

But ultimately, the best small business payment method will depend on a variety of factors. As you think about the best method, consider the size of your transactions, who’s handling the money, and your accounting system.

Types of small business payment methods

The first thing you’ll need to decide is which types of payment your business can accept. Generally speaking, there are five payment options to choose from:

  1. Cash payments
  2. Check payments
  3. Credit card payments
  4. Online payments
  5. Mobile payments

Cash payments

Consumers make cash payments with bills and coins. Typically, you manage cash payments from a point-of-sale system. Until recent years, cash had been a primary form of payment, but digital payment options have steadily increased in popularity.

The benefits of accepting cash payments include receiving payment immediately rather than waiting for a transaction to clear. Cash payments also cut down on overhead costs because there are no fees associated with accepting cash from customers. For small businesses with slim profit margins, credit card fees can be costly.

Running a cash-only business may help some small businesses improve bottom lines and simplify responsibilities. But it’s important to note that this type of payment comes with drawbacks. With a cash-only business, you may run a higher risk of theft and mismanaged money. There’s also a chance you could also lose business by inconveniencing customers who only have a card.

Regardless of your industry, if cash is your preferred payment method, you can avoid an audit with diligent accounting.

Check payments

Checks are documents that authorize banks to transfer funds from your customer’s bank account to your business bank account. Checks document the payment amount and date and the payer’s account number and signature to authorize payment to the recipient.

Paper checks piqued in the 20th century. But they have lost some of their popularity with the widespread adoption of electronic payment systems. eChecks, electronic alternatives to paper checks, are now commonly used to make online payments.

But checks aren’t entirely outdated. They’re common among small business owners who own rental properties and lawn service companies, for example. All you need is a business bank account to start accepting check payments. But the SBA suggests  creating a policy for your protection.

Standard practice is to accept check payments written in the exact amount and issued by major banks in your state. A third-party company can help verify the legitimacy of each check. But if a check bounces, you could wind up in small claims court or using a collection agency to recover your losses. Both results can be expensive and don’t guarantee repayment.

eChecks have become increasingly popular, along with ACH transfers from one financial institution to another.

Card payments

Whether it’s a debit or credit card, plastic has become the primary way consumers pay for purchases today. Paying with cards is convenient and can facilitate a smoother checkout process. Plus, it allows people to finance large transactions, so most customers expect businesses to accept at least one type of card.

This type of payment benefits small business owners, too. Card payments broaden your customer base and legitimize your company. And in most cases, card payments deposit into your bank account quickly, so they can help improve your cash flow. But this type of payment method comes at a cost for small business owners.

The Durbin Amendment caps debit card transaction fees to help make processing debit card payments more affordable to sellers and consumers. The Durbin Amendment set the fee cap for debit transactions at 0.05% of the purchase amount, plus 22¢. However, the amendment doesn’t impact credit card transaction fees, which can cost sellers significantly more.

Credit card transaction fees, flat fees, and incidental fees can significantly impact your bottom line unless you pass the expense to consumers. Each company sets its rate, with Visa and Mastercard leading the way, followed by American Express and Discover. You’ll need to cover the costs of the physical equipment and pay for merchant services and PCI compliance charges. And you might face monthly minimums.

Consumers have the right to dispute credit card charges if they’re unhappy with your product. Chargebacks can debit your account without warning, and when margins are tight, they can send your small business into the red. Some banks hold merchants responsible for credit card fraud, which adds another expensive liability, especially if your reputation is tarnished as a result.

Despite the drawbacks, credit card payments have some benefits compared to alternative payment methods, particularly security, hygiene, and customer preferences.

Online payments

Online payments transfer electronically. They use a payment gateway to facilitate and authorize several types of payments, including eChecks, credit cards, and direct debit payments.

Online payments aren’t restricted to online businesses. Online purchases can occur in brick-and-mortar stores using digital wallets, or apps that store credit and debit card information on a mobile device.

Online payments seem to be the way of the future in terms of cost and convenience. They offer a cheaper and faster way to get paid, and they give consumers options when they check out.

Cash and credit card sales require you to tally up the total price, including taxes. But the best online payment methods do this automatically, saving you time and reducing the risk of error. You’ll need to pay fees to accept payments online. But these fees are generally more affordable than those charged by credit card companies.

E-commerce online payment services often utilize a virtual shopping cart to calculate the total with shipping costs. That’s in addition to collecting the customer’s shipping and payment information. Several providers offer free shopping cart services to small businesses. You must have this type of payment to sell products or services online. But the ease and affordability have made them more popular among brick-and-mortar retailers, too. Digital wallets, as well as smart debit and credit cards, can enable contactless payments, which use near-field communications with card reader equipment to facilitate in-person payments.

Digital wallets, like Apple Pay or Google Pay, are going mainstream, especially among younger consumers. The change indicates a tipping point for online payments wherein the advent of digital wallets is around the corner.

Mobile payments

Mobile payments use mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets. Mobile payments can encompass a range of payment options, including:

  • Payments made through digital wallet apps and near-field communication technology
  • Money transfer apps
  • Payments using a mobile card reader to swipe debit or credit cards

Mobile payments facilitate mobile transactions using a method of payment, like cards or electronic money transfers.

The best online payment methods for small businesses

Online payments are an emerging technology that can help you gain more customers, cut expensive costs, and simplify accounting processes. But it’s smart to compare the best online payment methods for small businesses to find the right solution for your needs.

A few major players dominate the credit card processing industry. But many providers can help your company process payments online, and they’re all structured differently.

There are five features you’ll want to look out for when comparing the best online payment providers.

  • Price: How is the pricing set up? Which transactions are assessed a fee, and at what rate?
  • Features: What unique offering does the provider bring to the table?
  • Flexibility: Can customers choose whether to pay by credit, debit, or bank transfer?
  • Functionality: How does the payment processing software integrate with your business?
  • Security: Does the provider offer fraud protection? Are payments secure?

Let’s compare several online payment processors for small businesses. You can see how some of the most popular choices stack up against each other and who they’re best for.

PayPal

PayPal is one of the biggest names in online payments, with over 346 million customers. Its big reputation has earned businesses’ and consumers’ trust for security and risk management.

Who is it for?

PayPal has a range of features for businesses looking for standard payment processing. PayPal offers ways to accept payments both online and in-person. You’ll need to check with your shopping cart provider or e-commerce platform to confirm whether PayPal checkout is compatible with your site.

What types of payments does it accept?

PayPal users can pay using their PayPal account balance, PayPal CREDIT, a debit or credit card, or a bank account.

What does it cost?

If you’re selling goods or services through an online transaction in the U.S., you’ll pay a merchant fee of 2.99% of the transaction amount and a 49¢ fixed fee. Micropayments under $10 are subject to a fee of 5% of the transaction amount, plus a fixed fee based on the currency.

Depending on the size of your transactions, this payment method could be expensive for your small business.

Venmo

Venmo is known for processing peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, but the app also has a business side. Their social commerce platform can help build brand awareness because users can see, like, and comment on each other’s purchases.

Who is it for?

Venmo can be a good choice for street vendors who need a way to accept cashless payments. Users can quickly scan a QR code linked to your business account and send money to complete a sale. These payments come with instant confirmation of funds. You can also integrate Venmo as a checkout option on your app or website.

What types of payments does it accept?

To pay with Venmo, users must link their bank accounts or debit cards. Credit cards are subject to an additional charge. This payment method could deter customers who want to pay off purchases over time. Users can make payments using their Venmo balance, bank account, debit cards, and credit cards.

What does it cost?

For business transactions made through a Venmo business profile, you’ll pay a merchant fee of 1.9% + a fixed 10¢ fee. There are no setup fees or monthly subscription costs. However, there is a fee for electronic withdrawals using the Instant Transfer feature. If you want immediate access to your money, you will pay a fee of 1% (minimum 25¢, maximum $10).

This article originally appeared on the Quickbooks Resource Center and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

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18 loans for Hispanic-owned businesses

18 loans for Hispanic-owned businesses

There are nearly 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S., making this the fastest-growing segment of U.S. small businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Yet, despite these big numbers, Hispanic and Latinx business owners frequently face challenges accessing capital and, as a result, often can’t successfully scale their businesses.

Fortunately, a number of organizations and government agencies in the U.S. are stepping up to address this unmet need, offering loans, grants, and other financing options to Hispanic and other minority entrepreneurs. These minority business loans may have lower interest rates and be easier to qualify for than some traditional loans. Here are 18 financing options that are worth checking out.

(Learn more: Personal Loan Calculator

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To qualify as a Hispanic-owned business, more than 50% of the company must be owned by people of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or other Hispanic origin. Currently, nearly one in four businesses are Hispanic-owned.

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minority business loan is a small business loan designed to provide financing options for underserved communities. While minorities are free to apply for any business loan, minority business loans may offer more competitive rates and have less stringent qualification requirements. 

Groups that are considered minorities in the U.S. include African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans. Women are also considered minorities for many types of loans, as well.

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The following lenders offer different types of small business loans to Hispanic and minority entrepreneurs and were chosen based on our analysis of search volume.

1. Accion

Accion is a nonprofit financial institution that invests in underserved communities and offers low-cost lending opportunities to Hispanic- and minority-owned businesses. The Accion Opportunity Fund provides loan amounts from $5,000 to $100,000, and is quick and easy to apply for online. 

Accion offers two types of small business loans — the Southern Opportunity and Resilience (SOAR) Fund and the Small Business Progress Loan. SOAR is geared toward those in the south and southeast who experienced economic hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic and have been in business since September 2019 or earlier. The Small Business Progress Loan, on the other hand, is open to all minority-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs, and is partnered with American Express.

Accion also offers online resources, events, and networking opportunities (in Spanish and English) to help minority business owners learn and grow their companies.

(Learn more at: Home Affordability Calculator

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The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund), which is part of the U.S. Treasury, gives funds to companies and organizations that help underserved people and communities. Minority business owners can reach out to local banks and nonprofit groups that have received CDFI funds to discuss and apply for low-cost business loans.

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The owners of Camino Financial were inspired to start their lending business in order to help people like their mother, who lost her Mexican restaurant business when they were children. To that end, they offer simple and affordable loans to small businesses who find it difficult to borrow through banks. They offer bad credit loans, secured and unsecured loans, microloans, and working capital loans up to $35,000. To qualify, your business must have been in operation for at least nine months and generate annual sales of $30,000 or $2,500 a month.

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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers several financing programs that can help minority-owned businesses get access to the funding they need. Here are two programs you may want to check out to find a Hispanic small business loan:

Microloans

The SBA microloan program is administered by an intermediary network of nonprofit community-based lenders, rather than traditional banks. Through these lenders, the SBA aims to reach lower-income communities and minority-owned businesses that are often overlooked by traditional lenders. These loans come with low interest rates, six-year terms. and loan amounts up to $50,000.

Community Advantage Loans

The SBA’s Community Advantage loan program provides up to $350,000 in capital and is specifically designed to meet the needs of business owners in underserved communities. To qualify for an SBA community advantage loan, business owners need to have good credit and a strong business plan. However, the business’s balance sheet and amount of collateral will not affect eligibility.

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By offering crowdfunded loans with 0% interest, nonprofit Kiva is working to lift barriers to capital often faced by entrepreneurs from underserved communities. To apply, you need to market your Hispanic business to the community of 1.9 million individual lenders. These lenders can then choose to lend your company as much as $15,000 and you’ll have up to three years to repay them.

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CDC Small Business Finance is a nonprofit whose mission is to provide access to affordable and responsible capital to underserved entrepreneurs, including minority, veteran, and hispanic business owners. CDC offers loan amounts of $20,000 to $350,000 with five- to 10-year terms. They also offer SBA 504 commercial real estate loans of $250,000 to $40 million.If you are looking for advice to rebuild your credit, develop your business strategy, or manage financial reports, you’ll appreciate having access to small business advisors through CDC.

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Grameen America strives to achieve racial and gender equity by providing microloans of up to $2,000 to female and minority business owners. As part of their program, borrowers can open free savings accounts with commercial banks and build personal credit as they pay off their microloans. Grameen also offers training and support to women who want to start businesses and rise out of poverty.

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The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) offers Hispanic small business loans of $500 to $250,000 that can be used to purchase equipment, expand a business, hire staff, or purchase inventory. The three types of loans offered by the LEDC are as follows:

  • LEDC Growth Loan: Loan amounts up to $250,000 for established small businesses that have been in operation for a minimum of two years.
  • LEDC Startup Loan: Loan amounts up to $20,000 for new businesses with less than two years of business history.
  • LEDC Seed Loan: Loan amounts up to $5,000 for businesses with less than one year of experience and with plans to launch a company within three months of funding.

LEDC also offers free business advice and credit-building services, as well as a directory of latino-owned small businesses.

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The National Association of Latino and Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) provides funding to a network of over 200 nonprofit organizations that serve diverse Latino communities throughout the U.S. With NALCAB support, these partner organizations offer Hispanic loans, grants, professional training, and support. 

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Hispanic small business loans aren’t the only way for your business to get funding. There are also minority business grants that can provide capital that you don’t have to repay. These grants are offered by federal and local government agencies, corporations, and nonprofits.

10. Grants.gov

Grants.gov is the largest database of federal grant opportunities. While most grants are not specifically targeted to Hispanic small business owners, awards are available for all types of entrepreneurs, especially those focused on healthcare, U.S. defense, and environmental protection.

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digitalundivided’s BREAKTHROUGH Program (powered by JPMorgan Chase’s Advancing Black Pathways) offers $5,000 grants to Black and Hispanic women in the Dallas, Texas area. digitalundivided also provides training and resources to help businesses understand their customers, find financing, and choose the right business model.

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The National Association of the Self-Employed (NASE) works to provide resources for all self-employed individuals, including Hispanic business owners. They offer Growth Grants of $4,000, which can be used for a variety of business expenses, including marketing, advertising, hiring employees, and expanding facilities.

Besides access to grants, becoming a NASE member allows you to connect with experts who can advise you on subjects like finance, healthcare, strategy, law, and marketing. NASE membership also gives you access to discounts on healthcare, software, tax filing, and business travel.

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Hispanic businesses located in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenue may want to consider applying for a Rural Development Grant from the USDA. Grants vary in size and can be used for a variety of projects that aid business development in rural areas, including training, technical assistance, acquisition or development of land, building construction or renovations, equipment purchases, and pollution control.

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The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are government grants from five different federal government agencies. These competitive grants are focused around tech and science and offer up to $1 million in capital (divided into two phases) to qualified small businesses.

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You may be able to find funding for your Hispanic small business through Candid.org’s Foundation Directory Online, which contains information on over 240,000 grantmakers in the U.S. Access to the directory requires buying a monthly subscription, but you can cancel at any time.

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Comcast RISE, which stands for Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment, is a grant designed for businesses that were hit hardest by COVID-19. The grant is worth $5,000 and is given to small business owners hoping to expand and recover from the effects of the pandemic. Awards go to those looking to uplift their communities with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and community investment.

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The Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund by SIA Scotch Whiskey awards $10,000 in grants to small businesses owned by people of color in the food and beverage industry. Created by Hispanic entrepreneur Carin Luna-Ostaseskis, one of SIA’s goals is to provide funding, mentorship, and community to small businesses.

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If you’re a woman entrepreneur, consider applying for the Amber Grant, named after Amber Wigdahl, who passed at the age of 19 and never got to fulfill her business dreams. Each month, at least $30,000 is given in Amber Grant money. Applying takes just a few minutes and winners are announced by the 23rd of the following month.

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In addition to the grants and loans, there are organizations that can provide technical assistance, training, workshops, and networking opportunities to Hispanic businesses. Below are some you may want to check out.

digitalundivided

With a focus on assisting Black female and Latinx business owners, digitalundivided offers virtual training and a fellowship program for entrepreneurs. It also offers a pre-accelerator program for tech-enabled startup founders who have already begun to build their startup, are pre-revenue, and need assistance in developing their business model, marketing, and strategy.

Minority Business Development Agency

The Minority Business Development Agency is an advocate for Hispanic and other minority-owned businesses, and offers research, conferences, and resources to help entrepreneurs. Its Enterprising Women of Color Initiative is aimed to help minority women succeed in business through various offerings.

USHCC

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce actively promotes the economic growth, development, and interests of Hispanic-owned businesses. Members have access to events and business resources to support them in their growth. In addition, members get listed in the Chamber’s online Hispanic business directory.

SCORE

SCORE is a national organization that connects business owners to free mentors to help them learn and grow their companies. SCORE also offers free workshops and a robust online database of useful business content.

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Looking for — and applying for — a Hispanic business loan can feel like an overwhelming task. Here are some ways to simplify the process.

Consider Your Options

Before applying for a small business loan, it’s a good idea to take a look at your credit profile and business financials, as this will give you an idea of what type of loan you might qualify for. If you have excellent credit, solid revenue, and have been in business at least two years, you may be able to qualify for a long-term, low interest loan from a bank or SBA lender. If not, you may want to look into financing offered by lenders and grantmakers listed above, as well as online lenders (who often have less strict qualification requirements for loans).

Determine How Much Money You Need

To figure out how much of a loan you need to start or grow your Hispanic business, consider how you would like to use the funds from a loan, then create a detailed budget for your project, adding in some padding to account for unexpected expenses. 

Consider the Best Location for Your Business

If you haven’t yet launched your business, consider what might be the best environment for doing so. You may want to explore the best metros for minority businesses, since they may have established communities of hispanic business owners and resources to help you.

Gather All Your Paperwork

Whatever type of funding you decide to pursue, you will likely need to supply an extensive amount of information about your business in order to apply. This often includes:

  • Business EIN
  • Industry
  • Entity type
  • Business license and permits
  • Annual business revenue and profit
  • Bank account statements (personal and business)
  • Personal and business tax returns
  • Balance sheet
  • Proof of collateral
  • Accounts receivable and payable reports
  • Existing debt
  • Commercial lease
  • Purpose of the loan/grant
  • Business plan

This article originally appeared on SoFi.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

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