Accepting Credit Cards in Your Interior Design Business

Hello Designers!

Many small businesses, particularly in the interior design field, are hesitant to accept credit card payments from clients. However, in today’s increasing fast-paced and remote world, digital payment is the most common payment method in almost every other industry. Here are a few reasons why accepting credit cards could benefit your business and bring our industry into the modern age. 

It’s Faster 

In today’s market, credit cards are the fastest way to receive payment. Digital payment is almost instant. Gone are the days requiring multiple trips to the bank to deposit cash or interfacing with a client over a bounced check. Online credit card payment systems are more convenient for the client as well, especially with today’s modern merchant service options such as Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, PayPal and Square. 

Programs Are Designed to Help 

Nowadays there are many industry specific programs designed specifically to help your business accept credit card payments. Both Ivy (now HouzzPro) and DesignFiles use the payment processor Stripe to allow businesses to accept online credit card payments. You can invoice your clients, receive payment and automate your books all in the same place and all within hours rather than days. 

Smaller Margin of Error 

With online payments, it’s less likely your client will show up with the wrong amount of cash, or write a check for an incorrect amount. When paying online they are sent an invoice and cannot change the amount billed. Therefore, you spend less time following up if they haven’t paid the full amount. 

Flexibility 

Many designers who are not yet fully comfortable accepting credit card payments opt for only allowing product fees to be paid by card, whereas their design fees must be paid by cash or check (or vice versa). If you’re hesitant to make the switch, this may be a good place to start. 

Speaking About Fees 

Paying with a credit card often requires a processing fee for each transaction, but many programs let you to offset that fee to the client. For instance, in Ivy’s software, the fee will be shown as a separate line on each invoice, providing complete transparency to the customer. If a client prefers to not pay a processing fee, you could then offer them the option to pay by cash or check, allowing for the client to choose whether they prefer convenience with a charge, or a cash transaction. There are only five states that prohibit passing the charge to the customer: Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, Maine and Massachusetts. 

Added Bonus of Going Green 

Finally, online credit card transactions have the additional benefit of being the greenest payment option. Your business will lower its environmental impact by decreasing paper and transport usage with less invoice printing and bank trips respectively. Going green is always a good look for small business.  

Contactless

And finally, in a post pandemic world, paying by card is now arguably the safest way to pay. According to overseer.com, “more than 57% of consumers now choose businesses based in part on the payment methods they offer,” bringing necessity to quick and safe transactions. Credit card usage is up by more than 10% post lockdown. Paying by card has never been more in demand. 

Overall, customers are usually happier paying by card. It’s more convenient for them, faster, and greener. It’s also beneficial to you and your business, by saving you time and energy and generally being more convenient for both parties. 

I hope this was helpful for you. See ya next week!

XX, Danae