Payment should be the final moment of a simple and frictionless shopping experience. However, not all businesses are prepared to meet consumer expectations. If your retail space doesn't yet have a payment terminalor if it no longer keeps up with new market demands, this guide is for you.
Why is the TPA essential?
In addition to speed and security, a TPA modernisation enables your business:
- Accept the most popular payment methods in Portugal, such as cards contactless, MB WAY, e digital wallets;
- Increase the average ticket through options such as instalment payments;
- Accepting payments from tourists, including DCC - currency conversion;
- Integrate tools and management and invoicing apps in the terminal itself.
According to "Payment Systems Report" from the Bank of Portugal, more than 56% of face-to-face purchases in 2024 were contactless. To have an up-to-date terminal is to stop losing sales.
Types of payment terminals available
Easy POS with contactless and fixed monthly fee
Perfect for small, start-up or seasonal businesses, this Free TPAWith a fixed monthly fee adjusted to the volume of invoicing, it accepts payments by credit/debit card, contactless, MB WAY, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Smart TPA with management apps
For growing companies that want more functionality in their POS: invoicing apps, bookings, real-time reports and integration with external systems.
Soft (Android POS App)
Turns the merchant's smartphone or tablet into a terminal. Ideal for logistics, deliveries or street businesses. Accepts card payments via contactless or MB WAY (QR Code, mobile phone number and NFC).
How to choose the best APR for each stage of the business
Business in its infancy
- Requirements: Low cost, acceptance of card payments and MB Way.
- Solution: TPA Easy
Business being optimised and expanded
- Requirements: Integration with management and customer service tools.
- Solution: TPA Smart
Fast-growing business
- Requirements: Mobility, unlimited payments, high average ticket.
- Solution: TPA Soft
Additional features to consider in the TPA
- PIXpayment used by Brazilians in Portugal with automatic real/euro conversion.
- Instalment plan with UNICREThis allows the customer to pay between 2 and 6 instalments without interest.
- DCCTourists pay in their home currency.
- Tax Free: App that allows VAT to be refunded to holidaymakers.
- Remote backofficefor total control of transactions.
Costs you should analyse before choosing
- Tuition/rent equipment
- Commissions per transaction
- Installation costs e communication (internet)
Practical examples by sector
Food trailer (travelling restaurant)
- Solution: TPA Easy
- Advantages: accepts cards and MB WAY, no fees, no loyalty.
Water park (Leisure)
- Solution: TPA Smart
- Advantages: integrated apps (PIX, DCC, Tax Free), reports and management functions.
Home deliveries (Distribution/Logistics)
- Solution: TPA Soft
- Advantages: turns the smartphone into a terminal, accepts all means of payment, allows receipts to be sent by e-mail.
With the right payment terminal, your business not only keeps up with your customers' spending habits, it also improves management and paves the way for growth.
If you still have doubts about which one is right for you, analyse your sector, objectives and volume of transactions. The right choice makes all the difference.
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