Card payments are now the number one way consumers pay in the UK, so it's important that small businesses are equipped to handle them. Whether you're a mobile hairdresser, masseur or market stall trader, there are plenty of low-cost and simple options to choose from.

Card payment machines allow shoppers to swipe, insert or tap their credit or debit cards in order to pay for products and services. These devices work by connecting to a payment network, which then requests authorization from the card-issuing bank to ensure that funds are available and will be transferred when the transaction is complete. Once the payment is authorized, the machine confirms the transaction to the customer and prints a receipt. Some machines also include additional features, such as a barcode scanner and receipt printer to help speed up transaction times and keep lines moving.

Unlike traditional countertop card machines, which can be expensive to purchase or rent and may come with contracts, merchant service providers often offer flexible card payment solutions that are both portable and free of monthly fees and transaction charges. These solutions can be ideal for small micro-businesses that only take a proportion of their revenue with cards, or those that trade sporadically (for example, market stalls, pop-up shops and festival food trucks).

When choosing the right card reader for your business, it's worth bearing in mind that some providers will have minimum contract terms of a year and high cancellation fees, so make sure to check these details before signing up. You can also find more comprehensive payments systems that offer multiple functions, such as customer review collection, POS, text or mobile invoicing and even customer support.    card machines for small businesses