How to Select the Best Credit Card Processor for a Brewery
In an era of fierce competition among craft brewers, managing the financial aspects of a brewery business has become increasingly crucial. Breweries not only need to automate billing and invoicing procedures but also embrace online marketing strategies and offer payment options that cater to their customers' preferences. In this article, we present a curated list of the best merchant accounts for breweries. These credit card processors offer an array of features such as online invoicing tools, client management software integration, and accounting software integration, making it easier for breweries to streamline their payment processes and ensure timely payments. Moreover, these processors prioritize low-commitment contracts, transparent pricing, and reliable customer service. To make an informed decision, thorough research on each processor's offerings, features, pricing, and terms is highly recommended.
Streamlining Payment Processes for Breweries
Unlike bars and restaurants, breweries face unique challenges when it comes to point-of-sale transactions. While bars focus primarily on drink sales, breweries often sell food and retail products alongside their frosty beverages. The merchant account providers listed here understand the requirements of breweries and offer tools and features designed to facilitate seamless payment processes and inventory management.
Embracing Online Marketing and Payment Options
In recent years, the craft beer industry has witnessed a surge in competition. To stay ahead in this crowded marketplace, breweries must leverage the power of online marketing and offer diverse payment options. Recognizing this need, a few of the recommended merchant account providers below enable breweries to market their products online and integrate with e-commerce platforms. This integration ensures a smooth and convenient payment experience for customers that can enhance customer satisfaction and boost sales.
Low-commitment Contracts and Transparent Pricing
When it comes to securing a merchant account for your brewery, it is essential to prioritize favorable contract terms and transparent pricing. Locking yourself into long-term agreements with punitive cancellation fees can be detrimental to your business's financial health. The selected merchant account providers on our list understand this concern and offer low-commitment contracts with fair and transparent pricing structures. This flexibility allows breweries to adapt to changing market dynamics without incurring unnecessary financial burdens.
Highly Rated Customer Service
Exceptional customer service is vital in any business relationship, and credit card processing is no exception. Recognizing the significance of reliable support, the recommended merchant account providers prioritize quality customer service. From prompt assistance to resolving technical issues to addressing billing concerns, these providers are known for their dedication to customer satisfaction. This commitment ensures that breweries can operate smoothly without major disruptions to their payment processes.
Our Research:
Top Picks for Brewery Credit Card Processing
#1 Helcim
When it comes to breweries seeking a reliable and efficient merchant account provider, Helcim emerges as our top choice. This processor provides comprehensive payment solutions and offers a range of features tailored to meet the needs of breweries, allowing them to streamline their payment processes. Helcim provides advanced payment terminals, easy e-commerce setup, and transparent pricing. This merchant account provider equips breweries with the necessary tools to enhance their operations and deliver an exceptional customer experience.
Advanced Payment Solutions for Breweries
Helcim understands the unique requirements of breweries and offers a suite of advanced payment solutions. This includes robust payment terminals that can handle a variety of transactions, from in-person sales at the brewery or taproom to mobile payments at off-site events. These payment terminals are designed to be user-friendly, secure, and reliable, ensuring smooth transactions and providing peace of mind to both the brewery and its customers.
Streamlined Online Invoicing and Payments
In an increasingly digital world, online invoicing and payment capabilities are essential for breweries. Helcim provides intuitive online invoicing tools that simplify the billing process, allowing breweries to send professional invoices to customers and receive payments online. With Helcim's online payment gateway and virtual terminal, breweries can securely accept payments from their website or over the phone, expanding their reach and catering to customer preferences.
Transparent Pricing and Fair Terms
Helcim distinguishes itself by offering a transparent pricing model with rates that decrease as your sales grow. The company offers volume discounted interchange-plus pricing, which ensures a clear breakdown of fees, promotes cost transparency, and rewards a growing business as their sales increase. Additionally, Helcim has no monthly or annual fees and includes all of its services at no extra cost. This top pick also prioritizes fair terms, with no long-term contracts or cancellation fees. This flexibility provides breweries with the freedom to adapt to changing market dynamics without unnecessary financial burdens.
Dedicated Customer Phone Support
Helcim is renowned for its exceptional customer support, earning accolades from users and industry experts alike. Breweries can rely on Helcim's responsive customer service team for assistance with technical issues, account management, and any other concerns that may arise. Their commitment to outstanding support ensures that breweries can operate smoothly and efficiently, knowing that help is just a call or message away.
Reputation and Trustworthiness
Helcim has built a strong reputation in the merchant account industry. The company has received positive reviews for its reliability, transparent pricing, and commitment to customer satisfaction. With a focus on ethical business practices and transparent communication, Helcim has earned the trust of breweries and merchants alike. This trust is further reinforced by the company's accreditation and positive ratings from reputable organizations such as the Better Business Bureau and in our Helcim review which as been continually updated for over a decade.
To learn more about how Helcim can serve your brewery, see Helcim's website here or call (888) 506-7812.
#2 CDG Commerce
Based in Chesapeake, Virginia, CDG Commerce emerges as a reliable and cost-effective option for breweries of all sizes and types. With over two decades of private ownership experience since 1998, CDG Commerce provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to streamline payment processes and cater to the specific needs of breweries. From a proprietary online payment gateway to recurring billing, virtual terminal, QuickBooks integration, mobile phone processing, sales reporting, security breach protection, and vulnerability scanning, CDG Commerce offers a fully integrated processing solution across all payment channels.
Simplified and Affordable Brewery Processing Options
CDG Commerce understands the importance of simplicity and affordability for breweries. The company offers a straightforward fee structure, charging a low, fixed fee per transaction, making it easier for breweries to calculate their payment processing costs accurately. With competitive contractual terms, including no annual fees, monthly minimums, or termination fees, CDG Commerce provides breweries with a cost-effective solution. Moreover, the option of next-day funding for most business types ensures improved cash flow and financial flexibility.
Fully Integrated Features and QuickBooks Integration
CDG Commerce's commitment to seamless payment processes is reflected in its suite of fully integrated features. The proprietary online payment gateway simplifies online transactions, allowing breweries to accept payments securely through their websites. The virtual terminal enables easy payment acceptance over the phone or via mail order, providing flexibility to cater to various customer preferences. Furthermore, CDG Commerce offers QuickBooks integration, ensuring a smooth transfer of financial data and simplifying accounting processes for breweries.
Enhanced Security and Protection
Breweries can rely on CDG Commerce to prioritize the security of their payment transactions. The company provides security breach protection and vulnerability scanning to safeguard against potential threats and ensure compliance with industry standards. With these measures in place, breweries can have peace of mind knowing that their customers' payment data is protected.
Exceptional Ratings and Reputation
The company has earned an “A+” rating in our CDG Commerce review with its reliability and commitment to customer satisfaction. The Better Business Bureau also assigns CDG Commerce an “A+” rating, further validating the company's strong reputation. These positive ratings reflect CDG Commerce's dedication to transparent business practices and exceptional service.
Additional Merchant Account Options for Breweries
The companies below are also great choices for brewery credit card acceptance but are listed in no particular order. We recommend these options if Helcim or CDG commerce don't seem like the right processors for your specific brewery processing needs.
Host Merchant Services
Host Merchant Services is a Newark, Delaware-based merchant account provider that is well-suited for large breweries and craft beer makers. The company's products and services include online marketing tools, mobile credit card processing, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, custom third-party integrations, recurring billing, and merchant cash advance. Host Merchant Services specializes in e-commerce businesses and provides a free website and business-class email to interested merchants. Host is an ideal option for brewers that would like to build a strong web presence and accept online payments for a reasonable cost.
Host Merchant Services has received only positive feedback on public forums, with most reviewers singling out the company's customer service for praise. Host offers interchange-plus pricing with no early termination fees to all of its merchants, meaning that users will enjoy the most transparent pricing model and can cancel service without penalty. The Better Business Bureau gives Host an “A+” rating, and CPO also gives the company an “A+.”
For more information, visit the Host Merchant Services website or call (888) 727-4538.
PaymentCloud
Based in Woodland Hills, California, PaymentCloud is a merchant account provider that specializes in serving standard to high risk business types. The company's products and services include point-of-sale solutions, mobile phone swipers, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, EMV-compatible terminals, and merchant cash advances. These features allow breweries to accurately track their extensive inventory of different varieties of beers as well as to facilitate payments from individual customers at a storefront or from liquor stores and distributors placing high volume orders on a recurring monthly basis. For those reasons, PaymentCloud is a good option for breweries.
PaymentCloud provides a dedicated account rep to all new merchants for the life of the account. The company has not received any negative complaints on consumer forums, and it customizes its pricing according to each merchant's business type and processing history. The BBB does not maintain a profile for PaymentCloud at this time, but CPO gives the company an “A.”
For more information, visit the PaymentCloud website or call (888) 506-7859.
Frequently Ask Questions:
Brewery Credit Card Processing
Accepting credit cards offers numerous benefits. It allows you to cater to customer preferences, enhance the customer experience, and increase sales. Credit card acceptance also streamlines payment processes, reduces the risk of handling cash, and enables online and mobile payments.
To accept credit cards, you'll need a merchant account with a reputable payment processor. You'll also need a point-of-sale (POS) system or credit card terminal to process payments securely. Additionally, you may need an online payment gateway if you plan to accept payments on your website.
When selecting a payment processor, consider factors such as transaction fees, contract terms, customer support, and available features. Look for a processor experienced in the brewery industry and one that offers secure payment processing, integration with POS systems, and flexibility in accepting various payment methods.
Yes, some payment processors specialize in serving the needs of breweries. These processors may offer features like online marketing tools, custom integrations, recurring billing, and industry-specific solutions. We have researched and compared processors to find the one that best suits breweries in the article above.
Credit card processing fees typically include interchange fees (set by card networks), assessment fees, and processor fees. Processors may charge transaction fees, monthly fees, statement fees, and other miscellaneous charges. It's important to review and understand the fee structure provided by your chosen processor.
To maintain security, choose a payment processor that complies with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). This ensures that customer data is protected during transactions. It's also important to follow best practices, such as using secure POS systems, encrypting customer data, and regularly monitoring for security vulnerabilities.
Yes, accepting mobile payments can enhance convenience for customers. Many payment processors offer mobile payment options that allow customers to pay using their smartphones or mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Check if your payment processor supports mobile payments and consider implementing this feature.
Payment processors often offer integrations with various POS systems, accounting software, and online platforms. Before choosing a processor, ensure that it supports integration with your preferred systems. Seamless integration saves time, improves accuracy, and simplifies financial management.
Depending on your brewery's needs, you may want to consider additional services such as online invoicing, recurring billing, gift card programs, or loyalty programs. These services can enhance customer satisfaction, increase sales, and improve overall business operations.
To get started, research and select a reputable payment processor that meets your brewery's specific requirements. Contact the chosen processor to begin the application process. They will guide you through the necessary steps, which typically include providing business information, setting up a merchant account, and obtaining the required hardware or software for payment processing.
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