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Payments

Tap to Pay and Contactless Payments: A Small Business Guide

Customers expect to tap. Here is what contactless payments are, why they are secure and what you need to accept them.

MMuhammad Ejaz· September 24, 2026· 1 min read
Tap to Pay and Contactless Payments: A Small Business Guide

Contactless payments let customers tap a card, phone or watch to pay. They are fast, hygienic and now expected by most shoppers.

How it works

Contactless uses NFC (near-field communication). The card or phone sends a one-time code instead of the card number, which makes it more secure than swiping.

What you can accept

  • Contactless credit and debit cards
  • Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay
  • Smartwatches and wearables

Equipment options

  • Countertop or wireless terminals with NFC built in
  • Mobile card readers that pair with a phone or tablet
  • Tap to Pay on a compatible phone — no extra hardware for low-volume or on-the-go businesses

Benefits for your business

  1. Faster checkout and shorter lines.
  2. Better security thanks to one-time codes.
  3. Fewer errors than keyed entry.
  4. Happy customers who don't need to carry cash.

Getting started

Most modern terminals already support contactless. If yours doesn't, it's likely time for an upgrade.

See terminals that accept tap to pay or apply for a merchant account.

See what your processing should cost

Written pricing in one business day — no obligation.

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