According to ReadWriteWeb, small businesses, mobile vendors and yard sale junkies across the world unite – credit and debit cards have come to the street-side, the festival ground and the front yard with the release of Square.
Square is an app for both iPhones and Android devices that allows its users to accept both cash and credit card payments using a simple app and a card swiper that plugs directly into a smartphone’s headphone jack.
Square creator Jack Dorsey says that “With Square the goal is to get people in immediately, and make the transaction as smooth and simple as possible.”
Getting started using the service is quite simple and you can even sign up to accept cash payments on the phone app, but accepting credit cards is a little more involved, requiring a credit check. According to the company, “this reduces costs, keeps the Square network secure, and ensures compliance with required government and banking guidelines.”
While Square does allow credit card numbers to be entered manually, this is seen as less secure and has a higher processing fee. Once a credit check has gone through, Square sends a tiny square (hence the name) card reader to you for free.
Photo by Square.