June 28, 2023 - 6 min reading time

This is how to choose the best payment system hospitality industry

Finding a suitable payment system for your hospitality business can be a complex task. With this article, Sjef helps businesses select the right business payment solutions.

An overview in a catering establishment with white chairs and brown tables

Finding the right hospitality payment system

Choosing a hospitality payment system is an important step for any hospitality business. There are many different cashless payment systems available, each with their own unique features and benefits. When choosing a payment system, it is important to consider factors such as cost, reliability, acceptable payment methods and the ability to integrate with other systems. But how do you find the right system for your hospitality business? In this article we would like to take you through key steps on the way to a good and efficient system.

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Finding the best payment system hospitality industry: What should you look for?

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the right payment system for your hospitality business. Below we would like to tell you more about them!

  • The functionalities

It is important to choose a system that meets your specific needs. For example, see if the system is compatible with your existing hardware, if it is capable of processing loyalty cards and if it can generate reports.

  • Integration with other systems

Make sure the POS system can be integrated with other systems you use, such as an accounting program or inventory management system.

  • Usability

Choose a system that is easy for you and your employees to use. This can be achieved, for example, through intuitive design or availability of training and support.

  • Reliability

Make sure the system is reliable and that support is available quickly if there are problems.

  • Price

Compare different systems and their prices to make sure you get the best system for your budget.

More on deploying payment systems:

Hospitality ordering system: functionalities

A payment system has different functionalities, depending on the specific solution being used. Below are some of the most common functionalities a payment system can offer:

  • Accepting payments

The system should be able to accept payments through various payment methods, such as credit card, debit card, bank transfer or e-wallets.

  • Safety

The system must meet security requirements, such as PCI DSS, to protect payments from fraud and theft of personal data.

  • Integration

The system should be easily integrated with other software, such as e-commerce platforms, accounting systems or CRM systems.

  • Payment statuses

The system must be able to track payment statuses such as completed, canceled, rejected or declined.

  • Report

The system must be able to generate reports on transactions, such as sales statistics, payments by means of payment, and fraud and risk profiles.

  • Refunds

The system must be able to process refunds, such as refunds to customers or chargebacks to credit cards.

  • Customer Service

The system should provide customer service for support with problems with payments or other questions customers may have.

Someone pays cashless with their phone

Integration with other systems

Integrating a payment system with other systems is an important functionality for many businesses and organizations that conduct (online) transactions. By integrating a payment system with other systems, such as e-commerce platforms, accounting systems or CRM systems, you can create more efficient processes and improve the customer experience.

It is important to remember that integration not only makes processes more efficient, but also improves the customer experience, as customers can pay faster and more easily, and payment transactions can be tracked in their customer profile.

Usability

The usability of a payment system is of great importance in the hospitality industry because it determines how easy the system is to use for both the hospitality operator and the customers. A user-friendly payment system can improve the customer experience and allow customers to make payments more quickly and easily. In the hospitality industry, there are specific requirements for a payment system. Consider, for example:

  • Mobile payments

The system should support mobile payments, allowing customers to pay their bills quickly without waiting for a statement.

  • Split bill

The system should allow for bill splitting so that customers can pay their own portion of the bill.

  • Checkout at the table

The system should allow for checkout at the table, so customers do not have to get up and walk to a cash register.

  • Integration with ordering and menu systems

The system must have the ability to integrate with ordering and menu systems so that orders and payments can be linked automatically.

  • Reports

The system should provide the ability to generate reports on sales, payments and customer data so that the hospitality entrepreneur has insight into the performance of his business.

  • Customer Satisfaction

The system should provide the ability to measure customer satisfaction so that the hospitality operator can see what the customer experience is like and what improvements can be made.

A woman wearing a white shirt enjoys her food at a restaurant

Reliability

Reliability and support are crucial aspects when choosing a payment system for the hospitality industry. A reliable system is critical because it ensures that payments are processed quickly and efficiently, without unnecessary delays or downtime. This is important for both the hospitality operator and the customers because it improves the customer experience and ensures that payments can be made quickly and easily.

In addition, security of personal data is an important aspect of reliability. A trustworthy system should provide good security measures to protect customer privacy and prevent personal data from falling into the wrong hands.

Support is also very important with payment system hospitality industry. A system needs regular maintenance and good customer service for problems with payments or other questions that customers or the hospitality operator may have. A system that solves problems quickly and efficiently helps avoid unnecessary delays and reduces the risk of lost revenue.

Comparing prices payment systems

If you're looking for a way for customers to pay in your hospitality business, it's smart to check out several options before making a choice. Here are a few things to look out for when comparing payment system hospitality prices:

  • Transaction costs

Pay attention to the transaction fees charged for each payment. Some payment systems charge a flat fee per transaction, while others charge a percentage of the sale.

  • Monthly or annual fees

Some payment systems ask you for money every month or year to use their system. Check the costs of different systems to see which is cheapest for your business.

  • Additional costs

Note if there are additional costs, such as fees for installing or maintaining the system, or fees for using certain features.

  • Opportunities

Pay attention to the features and capabilities of different payment systems. For example, some systems offer the ability to checkout at the table or generate reports, while others do not.

  • Integration

Note the ability to integrate with other systems, such as ordering and menu systems. This can help automatically link orders and payments and increase efficiency.

A woman wearing a red shirt charges at the cash register

Choosing a payment system hospitality industry - Sjef helps

Choosing a good payment system for your hospitality business is important and can significantly impact operations and customer experience. When looking for such a system, it is smart to check for transaction costs, monthly or annual fees, additional costs, features and capabilities, integration, reliability and support. With our information, you have all the tools to make a smart choice for the best payment system that suits your hospitality business. 

Are you curious what Sjef can do for you? Then discover our POS system here. Or would you prefer to spar with one of our employees first? No problem, contact us today.

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