Anything with the word “contactless” is now being raved by modern diners because it promotes security and safety to them. Contactless Payment is one of the basic things you need to work on if you plan to operate a restaurant business during this time of the new normal.
Here are some practical tips on how to deploy contactless payment into your existing restaurant or takeaway system:
- Choose a payment platform that’s compatible with different payment options.
- Select the one that could be integrated with your existing system.
- Utilize mobile POS
- Adopt the QR code technology.
- User interface must be simple and easy to use.
- Look for a system that would provide analytical and statistical reports.
- Pick the system that provides real-time receipt.
- Make sure it offers a reliable security program.
- Build a customer service team.
- Create a marketing plan to promote your contactless payment option.
Read on as we go into the details in incorporating contactless payment into your business’ operation.
WHAT IS CONTACTLESS PAYMENT
Contactless Payment is a digital form of ordering and payment that uses mobile technology to allow information and data to be transmitted over short distances without having to make physical contact.
Contactless Payment appears in two major forms : it can be an online credit card – app payment and mobile wallets and via technology that’s embedded directly into the card. The technology used allows the transaction to be contactless.
With Contactless Payment, customers’ transactions would be simplified. They could just tap or wave their card or mobile device over a POS system to complete the payment. It is also a safer way to process payment, though mostly it doesn’t ask for PIN, the data of your credit card is encrypted plus your security code and card name is not transmitted.
It removes the hassle in the payment process, and Contactless Payment ensures faster, secured, and safer transactions.
TIPS ON HOW TO INCORPORATE CONTACTLESS PAYMENT ON YOUR RESTAURANT
Choose a payment platform that’s compatible with different payment options
To maximize the potential of contactless payment, it should cover and cater a diverse and broader customer base. Choose a platform that can process payments via credit card, debit cards, online bank transfers, prepaid cards, mobile payments and e-wallets.
Select the one that could be integrated with your existing system.
It would be ideal for restaurateurs to get a contactless payment platform that can be integrated with their existing system. It would save from the inconvenience of transferring existing data to another system.
Utilize mobile POS
The goal of contactless payment is to reduce or limit the physical contact of customers to your staff and equipment. If you already have a mobile POS that you’re using for tableside payment, it is now time to make the most out of that investment. Mobile POS are flexible and can accept payment from cards with close-proximity chips and payment apps such as Apple Pay and Google pay.
Adopt the QR code technology.
Produce a simpler process of contactless payment for your customers by generating a QR code that corresponds to your system. Customers will just scan the code to access your menu, make a reservation, and finalize payment. Strategically display your code on your website and around your establishment to capture the walk-by traffic as well.
User interface must be simple and easy to use.
One of the selling points of contactless payment is that it’s made to make the life of customers easy. Make sure that the platform you’re using won’t require unnecessary steps. Process should be kept fast and uncomplicated.
Look for a system that would provide analytical and statistical reports.
Having access to your customers data such as what they’ve ordered out on your menu and when they visited is one of the features you should look at before choosing what contactless payment platform you’ll incorporate on your restaurant. This gives you an overview on how well your restaurant is doing, and you make necessary actions in order to improve your operations.
Pick the system that provides real-time receipt.
Customers should feel safe and secured on every contactless payment transaction they make with your restaurant. One thing that helps is if your customers receive a receipt right after they completed the transaction. Select a system that sends automated emails and messages that shows the receipt and transaction details.
Tip : Opt for those systems that don’t need to print receipts. It shows consistency with the ‘contactless’ transaction you’re trying to impose and reduce associated costs for your restaurant.
Make sure it offers a reliable security program.
When choosing a contactless payment platform, always check its security features. Keep in mind that any anomaly in transaction would lead to doubts among your customers. As a restaurateur, it’s your responsibility to ensure that every transaction made with your establishment is secured.
Build a customer service team.
This goes both ways- contactless payment platforms come from reliable system providers, the possibility of encountering issues are less to none. But since this technology deals with money, it is important that your customers know who to reach should they encounter problems. As for restaurateurs, you should also know who and where you could reach your provider should there be system updates and failures.
Create a marketing plan to promote your contactless payment option.
To successfully consolidate this technology in your restaurant, it is crucial to see how it will perform with your customer base. Make sure to communicate and promote it properly with your customers.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE CHOOSING A CONTACTLESS PAYMENT SYSTEM
Budget
There are a great number of contactless payment system providers, make sure that you’ll be making a good investment with the system that you’ll choose. Take a good time in researching the best system that will suit the concept of your restaurant.
Demographics
It is important to observe your current market situation and customer base before trying out contactless payment. This type of technology mostly appeals to younger generations – millennials and generation Z, but there would be a rise in usage from the older generation as it is more compliant with the new normal protocols.
Compatibility
Modern payment terminals have the feature of being compatible with mobile payments. Ask your provider if your terminal is capable of contactless payment. Upgrade is necessary if yours is not capable.
Security
Data that is saved with contactless payment should be encrypted. Make sure that fraud, payment failures, and missing confirmations wouldn’t be an issue with your newly adopted system.
Conclusion
Contactless payment is only one way on how the Restaurant Industry is trying to adapt to the drastic effects of this pandemic. It’s being highly encouraged as it has become one of the only ways to complete transactions that is both convenient, secured, and safe for staff and customers.
Contactless strategies and technologies help the whole industry to redefine their operations that will continuously improve customer experience despite the lack of human interaction. However, this is not a reason for restaurateurs to stop building and nourishing relationships with their customers. Take this opportunity to innovate ways on how to connect and communicate with your customers.
