Are you one of the 14% of the UK population planning to start your own business in the next five years? If you are, just how do you stay competitive, attract new customers and ensure you stay ahead of the curve?

The rise of contactless payments

It’s been ten years since contactless cards first appeared in the UK - and it’s hard to imagine life without the technology.

In 2017, where contactless payments can be accepted everywhere from your local pub to a major supermarket, and with 50% of all in-store purchases under £30 being completed with the technology, it seems we have welcomed contactless with open arms.

With quicker payments, queues move faster and more customers are served - for small businesses, contactless is a win-win situation.

Attracting a younger generation of customers

Mobile contactless payments have also helped convert young consumers to the contactless way of life. 

In fact over a quarter of Generation Z's (aged 16-24) only use a card to pay for purchases. 

With Apple Pay and Android Pay letting users easily, and securely, store cards on their smartphone, the need to have a purse or wallet at all is almost completely removed in favour of the phone.

It’s no secret that succeeding on the British high street is tough. 

Square carried out a piece of research that showed how high streets and businesses across the UK could be given a boost if more local businesses accepted card payments. 

In fact, 60% of people in the UK would be more likely to shop locally if they could pay by card.

One such thriving business already up and running and using Square to take payments is The English Indian. 

The company has proved so successful that this year the couple behind the business were awarded first place in the Midlands Street Food Festival and are now set to compete in the British Food Awards being held in Manchester in September.

Get ready, Square has arrived, and it means big things for your business.

In order to thrive, small businesses in the region need to respond to consumer demand and accept multiple forms of payment. 

Whether you have a shop or a mobile or online business, you can use Square Reader to take chip and PIN cards, contactless cards and mobile payments like Apple Pay and Android Pay anywhere you are doing business.

Not only is this convenient for you, but it also gives your customers the freedom to choose how they want to pay, creating a fast and easy experience for them. By accepting all forms of payment, you increase the number of people that you can do business with.

Here are just a few ways Square can help transform the way you work:

• Get paid fast - normally next business day
• No monthly fees, or minimum use
• Free to set up an account and only takes 5 mins
• Accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express
• Accept contactless, Chip & PIN, Android Pay and Apple Pay
• Pay just 1.75% per transaction for payments made in person
• Pay just 2.5% for telephone orders, online payments and electronic invoices
• Use your existing device. Square is compatible with multiple iOS and Android phones and tablets, including iPhone 6 and 7.
• Track your sales and inventory through the free Point of Sale app
• Square Reader is just £39 + VAT

Square is not just an easy solution, it’s the most effective way to improve your customer service and help your business grow.

For more information and to sign up for your free Square account visit square.com/uk, where you can also purchase the reader for £39 +VAT.