How to get a virtual terminal for free

Iryna’s dilemma! Imagine Iryna, the owner of a small boutique jewelry business in Calgary that specializes in handmade bracelets. Business has been steadily growing, and she has a loyal customer base. One day, she receives a call from a customer who wants to place a large custom order. The customer, based out of Vancouver, prefers to pay over the phone with a credit card. Iryna's excitement quickly turns to frustration when she realizes that her traditional point-of-sale (POS) system can't process phone orders because it requires the physical presence of the card.

Determined not to lose the sale, Iryna starts researching alternatives and learns about virtual terminals. She discovers that virtual terminals can handle remote transactions by allowing merchants to manually enter the customer's credit card information, making them ideal for phone, mail, and online orders. Iryna decides to explore how she can get a credit card virtual terminal for free, ensuring she never misses a sale again. If you have ever been in such a situation or anticipate that your business can get into such a situation then read on.This article explores what a virtual terminal is, why it's essential for modern businesses, and how you can get a credit card virtual terminal for free.

What is a virtual terminal?

A virtual terminal is an online payment processing tool that allows businesses to accept credit card payments without a physical card reader. This method is perfect for handling phone or mail orders and managing remote transactions. Virtual terminal payment processing offers the flexibility to enter customer credit card details manually on a web app or a mobile app, making it a versatile option for various business scenarios.

Why opt for a free virtual terminal?

Choosing a free virtual terminal can provide numerous benefits:

Cost-saving: Free virtual terminals eliminate the need for expensive hardware.
Flexibility: They offer the ability to process payments from any internet-enabled device.
Integration: They can integrate with other business tools, enhancing overall efficiency.
Is it actually free?

There is no free lunch anywhere right? While virtual terminals can be obtained without a monthly fee, there are other costs to consider:
Transaction fees: Providers charge transaction fees that vary by the provider.
Setup fees: Some providers may have hidden setup costs.
PCI compliance fees: Necessary for secure transactions, some providers may charge for PCI compliance.
Advanced features: Access to features like detailed reporting and fraud detection might come with additional costs.
Top providers offering free virtual terminals

Several leading providers offer free virtual terminals, each with unique features:

	Card-not-present	Rates
Provider	Canada	US	Monthly Fees	Features
Helcim	2.8% + 25¢ per transaction	2.9% + 25¢ per transaction	None	Customer management, invoicing, reporting
Square	3.5% + 15¢ per transaction	3.6% + 15¢ per transaction	None	Point of sale integration, reporting, mobile app access
Paypal	3.5% + 15¢ per transaction	3.5% + 15¢ per transaction	None	Online invoicing, fraud protection, quick settlement in PayPal account
SumUp	2.95% + 25¢ per transaction	2.95% + 25¢ per transaction	None	Simple interface, mobile app access, easy setup
Clover	3.5% + 10¢ per transaction	3.5% + 10¢ per transaction	14.95	POS integration, tax setup, email payments

How to obtain a free virtual terminal?

Research the local providers: Compare offerings, transaction fees, and features of various providers.
Sign up for an account: Follow the provider's guidelines to create an account.
Verify your business information: Submit necessary documentation for verification.
Integrate with existing systems: Connect the virtual terminal with your current business tools like accounting software.
Start processing payments: Begin using your virtual terminal for credit card processing.

Tips for maximizing the benefits of a free virtual terminal

Minimize transaction fees: Choose providers with the lowest fees.
Minimize other costs: Be sure to go through the fine print.
Customer service: Choose a provider with an accessible and humane customer service.
Security best practices: Ensure compliance with PCI standards to protect customer data.
Leverage additional features: Utilize invoicing, reporting, and customer management tools to enhance efficiency.

Why is Helcim Virtual Terminal the best choice?

Competitive transaction fees: Helcim offers one of the lowest transaction fees at 2.9% + $0.25 for US / 2.8% + $0.25 for Canada, (on average), making it highly cost-effective.
No monthly fees: Helcim does not charge any monthly fees, keeping costs manageable.
Comprehensive features: Includes customer management, invoicing, and detailed reporting.
Ease of use: User-friendly interface simplifies virtual terminal credit card processing.
Excellent customer support: Known for responsive and helpful support, ensuring issues are resolved quickly.

What are merchants saying about the Helcim Virtual Terminal?

Here is what Thomas Glover from SEQUOIA PUBLISHING INC has to say about Helcim virtual terminal:

"Absolutely superb merchant services. We only do online sales and direct sales with no face to face so their Virtual Terminal processor was a perfect solution. Quick, easy, good reporting, good history functions and good fee structure...they may not be the cheapest, but for the service and functionality you get, we have found no better. Also great tech support, we have called 3 times and the problems were addressed quickly and solved quickly. We switched over from a major US bank and we could not be happier!"

Thomas Glover
SEQUOIA PUBLISHING INC

Even Miles Parenteau from AIRCLIX PHOTOGRAPHIC SCANNING SERVICES loves our virtual terminal:

"I've been using Helcim since Aug 2019. Very happy with the support and the low transaction fees. I've just signed onto their new platform and purchased my POS terminal. I also love their web based user interface for info on batches, invoicing and processing credit cards over the phone through their virtual terminal."

Miles Parenteau
AIRCLIX PHOTOGRAPHIC SCANNING SERVICES

Many satisfied customers like above consistently praise Helcim for its affordability and reliability, making it a top choice for businesses looking to streamline their virtual terminal credit card processing.

Conclusion

A virtual terminal is an essential tool for modern businesses, offering flexibility and cost savings. By exploring free options from providers like Helcim, you can enhance your payment processing capabilities. Helcim stands out for its competitive fees and comprehensive features, making it the best choice for virtual terminal credit card processing.