Which bill will you pay today?
What’s the importance of accepting online payments in your local contracting or trades business? We’ve talked to a number of small contractors who are reluctant to adopt online methods and/or accept credit cards. I even have to pay one bill for a customer which involves receiving an email which is a PDF of a hand-written invoice, then calling them to tell them a credit card number! They’re usually in their truck when I call.
Start by thinking about bills you have to pay. Would you rather:
- print an invoice (or receive one in the mail), get out your checkbook, find an envelope and a stamp, and mail a check?
- write your credit card number on a piece of paper and mail it in?
- call someone and give them your credit card number over the phone?
- click on a secure link and pay with a credit card in 30-60 seconds?
Which bills do you pay more quickly? Which vendors do you prefer to do business with? There are better and faster ways.
Accepting Online Payments gets you paid more quickly
You’ve no doubt paid vendors by credit card, using secure online methods like Quickbooks Online or perhaps the software they’re using to run their own business, like Jobber or Housecall Pro. It’s a quick, smooth process, which ensures you don’t double-pay invoices, that you pay the most current amount, and doesn’t require mailing paper checks or calling the vendor during business hours.
Giving your own customers all of those same advantages is easier than you think, and benefits you as well:
- No more mailing paper invoices
- Don’t wait to get paid or have disputes about charges later – show the customer a complete invoice via email or on your tablet before leaving the premises
- Give your customers the flexibility to pay using a credit card if they don’t have money in the bank today.
Your Younger Customers may not even have a checkbook
Don’t forget that the majority of Millennials want to pay online – and they’re not kids any more. Millennials, born after about 1980 or so, are pushing past 40. Gen Z consumers are also getting well into their 20s and buying homes, which means they’re using your services more and more.
We can help you get started on the path to accepting online payments and automating your back office support tasks like sending invoices, scheduling, paying bills, and more! Contact us for more information.