Square today announced that it has launched in the UK, making it easier than ever for millions of small and medium-sized businesses across Britain to take card payments and run their business.
The UK marks the fifth country where Square is available, joining existing markets Canada, Japan, Australia and the U.S.
Square helps independent traders take card payments and offers competitive and transparent rates, no monthly contracts or hidden fees, and next-day settlement on most transactions.
It takes minutes to get set up, and sellers can quickly and securely begin accepting payments from Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards. Square’s card reader pairs with the free Square Point of Sale software, which includes tools such as real-time sales data, invoicing and digital receipts, all in a single app.
Jack Dorsey, CEO of Square (and Twitter) said,
“We founded Square to empower small businesses with tools to accept all forms of payment and to make a sale anytime, anywhere,”
“We look forward to working alongside the millions of entrepreneurs and thriving small and medium-sized businesses across the UK, especially those who do not yet take card payments.”
The free Square Point of Sale app has tools to help you manage every area of your business.
- Accept cards and account for cash payments
- Manage employee permissions
- Digital and printed receipts
- Direct customer feedback
- Invoices and recurring payments
- Sales reporting and analytics
- Real-time inventory management
- Refunds, tipping and discounts
Dorsey added,
“We’re thankful to the sellers who have helped us launch today and all of our partners in the industry for welcoming us to the UK,”
Most business owners already have a smartphone or tablet, which Square transforms quickly and easily into a payments terminal. To get started, business owners simply need to purchase the Square Reader for £39 from the Square Shop, connect it via Bluetooth to a phone or tablet, and download the free Square Point of Sale app, which is designed specifically with the needs of small merchants in mind.
UK sellers using Square pay a competitive, transparent flat fee of 1.75% for in-person payments, and 2.5% for all other transactions such as online, by phone or via an electronic invoice, with no minimum transaction value.
Sarah Harvey, Square UK Country Manager said,
“Whether you’re a plumber, an accountant, a cafe or a corner shop owner, Square can help your business thrive,”
“Our simple hardware, transparent pricing and our suite of business tools make it easy and cost-effective for you to accept cards and manage your payments, and for your customers to pay with their card. We’re excited to be here in the UK and can’t wait to help businesses get started with Square.”
Square, which was first launched in 2009, originally made its name by offering an easy way for small businesses to take card payments by creating a phone or tablet app that worked with a small piece of hardware, made and sold by Square, to transform those consumer devices into card readers and processors.
Square marketed this specifically to those who didn’t take card payments previously and/or found buying traditional equipment and paying bank fees too expensive.
You can sign up for a Square account in the UK now and receive free processing on up to £1,000 in credit card transactions for the first 180 days.
