How Do I Accept Credit Card Payments Over the Phone?

How to Accept Credit Card Payments Over the Phone for Your Business

To accept credit card payments over the phone, businesses can use a virtual terminal or compatible card-not-present payment solution to process an authorized transaction. Compare that workflow with payment links or invoices when the customer will pay remotely.

This can be useful for contractors, professional services, medical offices, restaurants, wholesalers, service businesses, and other companies that regularly collect payments from customers who aren't physically present.

Soltis Merchant Services helps small businesses set up secure remote payment acceptance without requiring a physical card terminal for every transaction.

Call (440) 570-9355 or Contact Us or Get Started Today!

Small Business Accept Credit Cards Over the Phone

Small businesses can accept credit cards over the phone using payment technology designed for card-not-present transactions.

Instead of inserting or tapping the customer's physical card, an authorized employee enters the necessary payment information into a secure virtual terminal or compatible payment platform.

This can provide businesses with another way to collect payments when customers can't visit a physical location.

Accept Credit Card Payments Without Terminal

Businesses don't necessarily need a physical card terminal to accept every credit card payment.

A virtual terminal can allow an authorized user to securely access a payment interface from a compatible device and manually enter payment information provided by the customer.

This can be useful for businesses that primarily operate remotely or only occasionally need to accept card-not-present transactions.

Over the Phone Payment Processing

Over the phone payment processing can be useful when customers need to pay an invoice, deposit, outstanding balance, or other authorized charge remotely.

The basic process generally involves:

• Customer authorizes the payment

• Authorized employee accesses the secure payment platform

• Required transaction information is entered

• Payment is submitted for authorization

• Transaction information is recorded through the processing platform

Businesses should use appropriate payment technology rather than storing sensitive card information through insecure methods.

Accept Credit Card Payments Virtual Terminal

Businesses looking to accept credit card payments through a virtual terminal can use a web-based interface designed for manually entered transactions.

Depending on the selected solution, a virtual terminal may provide:

• Manual Card Entry

• Transaction History

• Digital Receipts

• Refund Capabilities

• Customer Information

• Reporting

• Recurring Payment Capabilities

• Other Payment Tools

Available functionality varies by platform.

Help Accepting Virtual Payments

Businesses needing help accepting virtual payments should first determine how customers typically pay.

Some businesses primarily need telephone payments, while others may benefit from invoices, online checkout, recurring billing, or payment links.

Soltis Merchant Services can help evaluate which remote payment options make sense based on transaction volume, average ticket, and business type.

How Do You Take In-Person Payments?

In-person payments are generally processed differently from transactions taken over the phone.

When the customer and payment card are physically present, compatible equipment can allow the customer to insert an EMV chip card, tap a contactless card or digital wallet, or use another supported payment method.

Businesses accepting both remote and in-person payments may benefit from a setup that supports both transaction environments.

Best Way to Take Card Payments Over the Phone

The best way to take card payments over the phone is through secure payment technology specifically designed for card-not-present transactions.

Businesses should avoid writing down or unnecessarily storing customers' card information.

Instead, use a compatible virtual terminal or payment platform and follow applicable payment-security requirements.

The best solution depends on how frequently telephone payments occur and what other payment methods the business needs.

Remote Payment Acceptance

Remote payment acceptance can extend beyond telephone transactions.

Depending on the selected processing solution, businesses may be able to accept payments through:

• Virtual Terminals

• Online Checkout

• Payment Links

• Digital Invoices

• Recurring Payments

• Other Compatible Remote Payment Methods

Having multiple options can make it easier for customers to pay without visiting the business.

Accept Credit Card Payments Over Phone

Businesses that accept credit card payments over phone should understand that these transactions are typically considered card-not-present transactions.

Because the physical card isn't being read by a terminal, processing costs and security considerations can differ from in-person transactions.

Businesses should understand the pricing associated with manually entered transactions before selecting a processing provider.

Receive Card Payments by Phone

The ability to receive card payments by phone can be particularly useful for businesses that regularly communicate with customers remotely.

Examples include:

• Contractors

• Home-Service Companies

• Professional Services

• Medical Offices

• B2B Companies

• Restaurants Taking Telephone Orders

• Repair Businesses

• Property Services

• Other Appointment-Based Businesses

The right processing environment should make these transactions straightforward for authorized employees.

Virtual Terminal for Small Business

A virtual terminal can turn a compatible computer or device into an interface for accepting eligible payments without requiring the customer's physical card.

This can be especially useful for office-based businesses that take payments over the phone but don't need a traditional card terminal at every workstation.

Soltis Merchant Services can help businesses evaluate virtual terminal options based on their processing requirements.

Phone Payments vs In-Person Payments

Phone and in-person payments are processed differently.

With an in-person transaction, the customer's physical card or compatible digital wallet can interact directly with payment equipment.

With a telephone transaction, payment information is manually entered because the card isn't physically present.

These differences can affect processing costs, security considerations, and transaction handling.

Businesses that accept both should choose a processor capable of supporting each payment environment.

Payment Links as an Alternative

A payment link can provide another option when a customer isn't physically present.

Instead of taking card information verbally over the phone, a business may be able to send a secure payment link that allows the customer to enter their own payment information.

This can provide a convenient alternative for businesses that frequently collect remote payments.

Availability and functionality depend on the selected processing platform.

Digital Invoices and Remote Payments

Businesses that regularly invoice customers may benefit from payment capabilities connected to their invoicing workflow.

A digital invoice can provide customers with instructions or a compatible method for submitting payment remotely.

This can be useful for contractors, professional services, wholesalers, and other businesses that don't always collect payment at the point of service.

Recurring Payments

Some businesses may need to charge customers on an authorized recurring schedule.

Compatible processing technology can help businesses manage recurring transactions for eligible services or payment arrangements.

Businesses should maintain appropriate customer authorization and clearly communicate recurring payment terms.

Specific functionality depends on the processing platform.

Credit Card Processing Fees for Phone Payments

Businesses should understand that card-not-present transactions can have different processing costs than in-person transactions.

Potential expenses can include:

• Processing Rates

• Per-Transaction Charges

• Monthly Fees

• Virtual Terminal Costs

• Gateway Costs

• Other Applicable Charges

The complete cost should be reviewed before choosing a remote payment solution.

Security When Taking Payments Over the Phone

Security is especially important when customers provide payment information remotely.

Businesses should use appropriate payment-processing technology and avoid unnecessarily recording or storing sensitive card information.

PCI requirements can apply to businesses accepting card payments, including card-not-present transactions.

Soltis Merchant Services can help merchants understand the payment tools available for their transaction environment.

Virtual Terminal vs Physical Terminal

A virtual terminal and physical credit card terminal serve different purposes.

A physical terminal is designed primarily for transactions where the customer's payment method is present.

A virtual terminal allows authorized users to manually process eligible card-not-present transactions through a secure interface.

Some businesses benefit from having access to both.

Who Should Accept Payments Over the Phone?

Phone payments can make sense for businesses where customers regularly pay remotely.

A contractor may collect a deposit before arriving at a job. A professional service provider may collect an invoice payment. A restaurant may accept payment for a telephone order.

The payment method should match the business's normal workflow and customer expectations.

Choosing Over the Phone Payment Processing

The right over the phone payment processing solution depends on transaction frequency, average ticket, industry, security requirements, and whether the business also accepts in-person or online payments.

Businesses that only occasionally take telephone payments may have different requirements from companies processing remote transactions every day.

Soltis Merchant Services can help evaluate these differences before selecting a processing setup.

Get Set Up to Accept Credit Card Payments Over the Phone

Soltis Merchant Services helps businesses securely accept credit card payments over the phone through compatible virtual terminal and remote payment-processing solutions.

Whether you're researching how small businesses accept credit cards over the phone, how to accept credit card payments without a terminal, virtual terminals, or remote payment acceptance, we can help you evaluate your options.

Call (440) 570-9355 or Contact Us or Get Started Today!