Three Tips To Protect Your Staff and Your Customers During COVID-19
Businesses and their customers are dealing with a new reality as COVID-19 — and the precautionary measures we’re all taking to keep each other safe — have changed plans, lifestyles and in some cases the state of our finances.
As a business owner, you want to balance the needs of your customers with maintaining the stability of your business. Here are three tips to help you manage this delicate balance and navigate the unique time we face today.
1. Make Physical Distancing Easier
Paying for goods and services usually requires customers and staff to interact within close proximity. How can you maintain the distance recommended, while still process payments? Here are some payment solutions that can help:
Wireless Point-of-Sale (POS) Devices. Wireless point-of-sale devices offer fast and secure payment processing using a GPRS or Wi-Fi network connection, which let you accept payments anywhere. These point-of-sale devices even give you the flexibility to offer the option of home delivery and curbside pick-up.
Contactless Payment Acceptance. Contactless payment transactions operate the same way as other transactions at the point-of-sale device, with one key difference: Your customer will simply Tap to Pay for their purchase instead of inserting or swiping their card. This solution limits the need for the customer to touch or hold the point-of-sale device, and reduces the chance of physical contact between your staff and your customer.
2. Introduce an E-commerce Option
Taking your business online lets you stay open 24/7 and sell your products and services without any physical contact at all. Introducing an E-commerce option will allow shoppers to browse, select and pay for merchandise through your website – or in some cases via a social media channel – while payment is deposited directly into your account. What’s more, E-commerce solutions for your business can dramatically expand your customer base, as you have the opportunity to sell and ship to customers around the world!
RBC Merchant Services offers innovative payment and E-commerce solutions that can help you keep business up and running.
3. Ensure Regular Point-of-sale Device Cleaning
For in-store transactions, keeping your point-of-sale device clean is an essential measure in upholding the health and safety of your employees and customers. It is generally recommended to both clean and disinfect as follows:
To clean: Your device can be gently cleaned with water using a lightly damp microfibre cloth. Avoid using solvents, detergents or abrasive cleaners and refrain from vigorously shaking the device, as this could trigger the tamper alert.
To disinfect: After your device has been cleaned, you can disinfect it by using an alcohol-based wipe or cleaner that is applied to a microfibre cloth. Be sure not to spray, coat or pour any disinfectant (or other liquid) directly onto the device.
As more consumers use credit and debit cards to make purchases, RBC Merchant Services can positively affect your bottom line.
Grow your business and increase sales by reaching a wider customer base while protecting your business by eliminating the risk associated with collecting cash.
This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.
