Gone are the days of waiting for clients to pay in person. With online options, accepting customer payments just got a whole lot faster and easier.

If you run a beauty and wellness business and don’t accept credit card payments online, think twice. Handling these transactions on the web is a win-win for everyone. It adds convenience to appointment bookings, helps your company look more professional, and shortens the payment process so you can get on with your day.  

Here’s everything you need to know about accepting online payments so you can give your checkout process the glow-up it deserves.

3 Benefits of Accepting Credit Card Payments Online

The beauty and wellness industry is competitive, and offering multiple payment options is no longer just a nice-to-have – it’s a must. Here are three reasons to learn more about how to accept credit cards online: 

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1. Boost sales with convenient payments

With the rise of online shopping, your clients expect convenience when booking their beauty or wellness services. Whether they’re at home, on the go, or scrolling late at night, being able to book and pay online removes the barrier of needing to visit your business in person to complete a simple transaction.

Imagine a busy client who can’t sleep and goes online to book a self-care day. If you accept online credit card payments, they can purchase a high-value package right then and there. This convenience enhances the customer experience, making them more likely to return and spread the word about your services. 

2. Save time with simplified transactions

Online payment processing also speeds up the checkout process, making it smoother – and let’s be real, less awkward – for both you and your clients.

Instead of juggling payment details at the appointment, clients can book and pay online ahead of time. If the exact payment amount isn’t clear, they can at least enter their card information, meaning you can easily charge it when the appointment ends. This means clients show up ready, and your staff can focus on delivering an outstanding experience without the hassle of handling payments in person. And with less admin time, your team avoids the checkout counter and spends more hours at their stations.

3. Enhance credibility and professionalism

Your brand’s credibility is everything. It helps you gain customers, retain current clients, and develop a killer industry reputation. And taking credit card payments online plays a big role in building that trust. 

When clients see they can pay securely online using major credit cards like Visa or Mastercard, it instantly boosts your business's professionalism. The ability to pay online signals that your company is trustworthy and established. For a first-time client booking an appointment, this reassurance can make all the difference. 

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6 Ways To Process Credit Cards Online 

Letting people pay online is essential for growth, especially considering how digitally-driven today’s consumers are. Here’s how to take credit card payments online:

1. Checkout pages

Paying directly on your website or e-commerce platform encourages customers to complete purchases. They won’t waver because they need to come into the salon to pick up and purchase something they want or have to make a phone call to book their appointment.  

An easy way to do this is through a checkout page – a secure web page where customers can enter their credit card details to make payments. Many merchant service providers offer checkout pages to keep client information safe and facilitate quick payments, leading to fewer abandoned carts and more completed bookings. 

2. API integration 

Integrate your merchant services provider’s Application Programming Interface (API) with your existing website. A payment API allows software applications to interact with a payment processing service so you can do things like accept credit card payments online. This option requires technical know-how, but your payment services provider can help you. 

3. Social media buy buttons 

Meet clients where they’re at with social media buy buttons. These buttons, which you add to your Instagram, Facebook, and other social channels, make it easy for clients to purchase products or book services directly from your posts via credit card. 

For example, post before-and-after photos of a client’s hair transformation with a “Book Now” button so customers can schedule their own appointments. An easy way to do this is using direct payment links, which we’ll discuss below. 

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4. Direct payment links

With direct payment links, you can process credit card payments online – no website needed. A direct payment link is a unique URL or QR code you send to your clients via email, text, or social media. When the client clicks the link or scans the code, they go straight to a secure checkout page where they can pay with their credit card. 

Most payment processors quickly generate direct payment links on an as-needed basis or for a specific product and service. For example, if you're a massage therapist and a client books a session over the phone, you can send them a direct payment link immediately after the call. They then pay for the service upfront, securing the booking and avoiding a no-show. (And if they do miss their appointment, you have their payment information for your cancellation fee.)

5. Online store

Setting up an online store is a must if you want to boost sales beyond services. Sell your favorite products 24/7 to let clients browse and buy from the comfort of their homes. Just like other e-commerce transactions, the payments are processed online, but you can either ship products or allow clients to pick them up at your location. 

If you carry exclusive hair treatments, for example, having an online store means your clients don’t need to wait for their next appointment to snag the only product that calms their frizz. They can purchase it any time, ensuring you never miss a sale. 

6. Digital wallet payments

A digital wallet, also called a mobile wallet, is a smartphone app that stores credit card information. It lets clients pay with just a tap using their mobile device, no physical card necessary. They can do it through your website, direct payment link, or QR code. Wherever they would have to input their credit card information, the digital wallet does it for them. 

Looking for something even easier? Whether it’s online payments through your booking site, an in-person card reader, a card on file, or a digital wallet, GlossGenius has you covered. With our platform, you can accept digital wallet payments from iPhone to iPhone through our partnership with Stripe. Tap to Pay on iPhone is built into your GlossGenius account, so all you have to do is open GlossGenius on your iPhone and present it to the client. The client can hold their smartphone over the contactless symbol to pay with their mobile wallet, and that’s it. You don’t even need a mobile card reader. 

Simplify Your Payment Process With GlossGenius 

Accepting credit card payments is easier with stellar tools, and GlossGenius is here to save the day. Our all-in-one platform doesn’t just help you get paid – it powers your entire business. Features like Online Booking, Instant Payouts, and Client Management make it easy to process transactions and keep clients returning for more. 

Plus, GlossGenius keeps it simple with an ultra-low, flat payment processing rate of 2.6%, whether your client’s card is right in front of you, stored in a smartphone, or used online. GlossGenius’s payment processing is fast and flexible – with no hidden fees. 

Sign up for a 14-day free trial with GlossGenius!  

We’re ready and waiting to help elevate your beauty and wellness business. Get started with a free 14-day trial today.