The card machine for small businesses

A card machine, also known as a credit card reader or PDQ machine, securely processes payments from a customer's bank account to a business's account. The process involves several key steps:

• Customer payment: The customer taps their contactless card or device (like a phone with Apple Pay or Google Pay), or inserts their card and enters their PIN. 

• Secure connection: The card machine securely connects to the business's payment processor, which then routes the information to the relevant card network (like Visa, Mastercard, or Amex).

• Bank authorisation: The card network asks the customer's bank to authorise the payment. 

• Confirmation: The approval message travels back through the network to the card machine, which then confirms the transaction is complete, usually by showing "Approved" on the screen.

While the tap itself is instant, the actual transfer of funds from the customer's bank to the business's account typically happens within 1-2 business days.

For a complete breakdown of the technology, the security behind every transaction, and what it all means for your business, read our detailed guide: Beyond the Tap: How Credit Card Machines Work.

Zeller Terminal accepts Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, and American Express. It also supports contactless mobile wallets including Google Pay and Apple Pay.

Zeller Terminal 1x is £99 ex VAT, and Zeller Terminal 2 is £149 ex VAT. There are no monthly fees, no joining fees, and no terminal rental charges. For small businesses looking for a straightforward, affordable card machine, the pricing is exactly what it appears to be.

Zeller charges 1.3% per in-person transaction for domestic Visa and Mastercard payments, 1.99% for all other cards including Amex, and 1.5% for MOTO (keyed-in or over-the-phone) transactions. No hidden fees.

Zeller Terminal is available to purchase online from the Zeller Shop with free express shipping. You sign up and taking payments faster than you might think.

The right card machine for small business isn't just about taking payments. It's about getting paid faster, understanding your cash flow, and having a payment machine that grows with you, without the cost and complexity that comes with traditional bank-issued terminals.

Zeller Terminal accepts all major debit and credit cards, connects via Wi-Fi, 5G SIM, and Ethernet, and comes with tools that most providers charge extra for. Whether you need a mobile credit card machine for a small business that travels with you, or a fixed terminal at the counter, Zeller is built to work the way you do.

Clear fees. Nothing hidden.

Many small businesses are surprised to discover how much their card terminal is actually costing them. Monthly rental fees, PCI compliance charges, and early exit penalties are commonplace with bank-issued payment terminals. Zeller charges a low 1.3% rate per in-person Visa and Mastercard domestic transactions and 1.99% for all other cards. For small businesses looking for the best value card payment machine without compromising on quality, Zeller is the straightforward alternative.

Get paid faster.

Cash flow is everything for a small business. With same-day settlement to a Zeller Account, you're not waiting days to access your takings. Every payment processed through your Zeller Terminal appears in your Zeller Dashboard in real time, giving you a live view of your sales and a clear picture of where your business stands at any moment.

Debit and credit card machines that accept everything.

From contactless tap payments to chip-and-PIN, digital wallets to over-the-phone orders, Zeller Terminal handles every payment method your customers prefer. No customer turned away. No sale lost. Whether it's a debit card, a credit card, or a smartphone, Zeller has it covered.

Ready when you are.

Zeller Terminal is available online from the Zeller Shop with free express shipping. It takes minutes to set up, and our support team is available 24/7 if you need any help along the way.