How your landscaping business can accept payments in person or online

Landscape companies come in a variety of types and sizes. But regardless of whether they serve business or residential customers, are seasonal or year-round, large or small, all of them need to have come up with effective ways to take customer payments. 

Whether you are just getting started or are looking to enhance your customer service game, now is a great time to explore the various options out there that enable funds to be transferred from your customer to you.

Cash.

While cash remains a popular payment method, American consumers are using it less and less. While it is true that accepting this form of payment can allow you as a business owner to immediately place the funds in your account, it can also lead to errors. 

Cash can be lost or stolen, and recording it can lead to inaccuracy. Additionally, many customers often don’t have it in sufficient quantities to resolve their bill. Moreover, paper receipts are the only method to provide written proof that services were rendered.

Credit and debit cards.

Taking plastic enables customers to pay their bill even if they do not have sufficient cash in hand. 

In order to accept credit and debit cards, you’ll need to partner with a payment processor that provides data security and the ability to conduct in-person transactions from anywhere through the use of a mobile card reader. 

Card readers are an easy and effective way to accept credit card payments in person while on the job. Simply download the Payanywhere app, attach the card reader to your smartphone, and you’re ready to go!  

Online invoicing.

Some clients may not be available in person or may prefer the ability to pay their bill online at their convenience. In order to accept online payments, your payment processor can set you up with payment links that allow you to send invoices via email or SMS; you can even place them on your website. 

These URLs, QR codes or “pay now” buttons direct the customer to a secure checkout page that enables them to complete the transaction with just a few clicks. If you already have the client’s payment details, you can even pre-fill them into the form for maximum convenience. 

This model often leads to bills that are paid quickly and in full, the holy grail for any landscaping company.

Subscription billing.

Much of the work you do as a landscaper happens repeatedly. This makes the so-called subscription model one of the most popular payment systems for your industry. When you set up recurring invoices, you and your customer make a contract that covers several areas. 

You specify the amount of money to be withdrawn, the customer’s bank or credit card account involved in the transaction, the date on which the withdrawals will occur, the frequency, and the duration of the arrangement. 

You also clarify exactly what services the payment covers and set forth all cancellation and change policies and provisions, making sure that the client’s questions have been answered in full.

This payment model is ideal for landscapers as well as many other business types for several reasons. It provides both you and your customer with predictable payments and no service interruptions. 

As a result, everyone knows how much money they have and what can be spent, making budgeting more accurate and streamlined for you and your client.

Additionally, this model gives you an opening to communicate regularly with the client, not only when it comes to invoices and thank-yous for payments received but also regarding promotions, service changes and expansions, and whatever else you want to make known. 

In other words, what starts as an invoicing platform can become one of your most effective customer relationship management tools.

Customer service: the secret to your success.

When you do landscaping, much of your day is spent alone. You may never even speak to your customers for weeks or months on end. The solitary nature of this industry only underscores the importance of finding other ways to build a rapport with your clients.

It might be hard to believe, but providing them with multiple ways to pay and via the methods they prefer goes a long way toward promoting satisfaction. It also reduces late invoices, which cuts down on the need for you to chase delinquent payments. 

Consequently, your interactions with customers when you do have them are generally positive and friendly. The more you provide people with the billing structures they want and address questions and concerns promptly and effectively, the happier both you and your clients will be.

If you are only accepting payments by cash or checks, it’s time to take your landscaping company to the next level. 

No matter how small you are or how modest your sales are, today’s technologies make it possible for you to receive the funds you have worked so hard for in a variety of ways, leading to better cash flow and happier customers.