Marketing is a highly competitive industry and anything you can do to set yourself apart will help you win business. Whether you are creating inspirational content or helping to improve customer experiences your agency relies on your customers paying for your services. Choosing the right payment processor who understands the needs of the marketing and advertising industry is essential for getting paid for the work you do.
Payment processors act as the financial bridge between you and your customers. They facilitate seamless transactions by enabling the transfer of funds from a customer's account to a business’s bank account, ensuring that payments are quickly and efficiently processed.
Key Features to Consider
- Discounted Fees and Pricing: Look for transparent pricing models, taking into account transaction fees, setup charges, and any hidden costs. Selecting a processor with competitive and clear pricing ensures that your agency can maximize profitability without unexpected financial burdens.
- Customer Support: Choose payment processors that offer 24/7 support from real people who are familiar with your agency, ensuring that any technical problems are resolved swiftly.
- User Experience: Some payment processors offer customized branding on payment pages, which can be valuable for marketing agencies that want to maintain a consistent brand identity throughout the customer journey.
- Security: Prioritize processors that offer robust encryption and advanced fraud detection measures to safeguard sensitive customer data.
- Integration: Payment processors that easily integrate with your agency's e-commerce platform, CRM, and accounting software streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
- Scalability: A scalable payment processor can handle increased transaction volumes and offer additional features as needed, ensuring that businesses can expand without facing limitations
- Different payment options: The ability to use different payment options, such as digital wallets or ACH payments, can expand the customer reach for a marketing business significantly.
Comparison of Top Payment Processors
When comparing payment processors, it’s important to look not just at the big names in the business, but who has the qualities that you need for your business. When you think of the generic leading payment processors, you probably think of PayPal, Stripe or Square. While these processors do advertise a user-friendly interface, security measures, and a variety of features, they might not support the frictionless and multi- channel payment processes your business needs.
Oftentimes, it is more beneficial for marketers to work with a processor that understands their business and can offer customized solutions that fit your needs. In many cases, larger processors don’t customize solutions and have set fees, or even hidden fees, that aren’t a direct reflection of your transactions. Consider a payment processor with experience in marketing, like AFS. Working with real people who understand your unique business requirements can significantly improve customer experiences and impact cash flow.
Impact on Customer Satisfaction and Business Growth
A payment processor that offers fast, uninterrupted service elevates the buying experience, reducing friction and frustration. Customers and clients alike appreciate a hassle-free process that respects their time, making them more likely to return to a brand they perceive as efficient and customer centric. This, in turn, boosts sales and enhances customer satisfaction, as seamless payment processing reflects a brand's commitment to providing top-tier experiences for their clients.
Conclusion
The importance of choosing the right payment processor is clear- it can affect many aspects of your business that you don’t even realize.
We want to help you evaluate how your current payments solution benefits your agency and how it could be improved. And if you still aren’t sure where to start, we are here to help. Reach out to one of our trusted payments experts today to help you make an informed decision for your business.