You’re aiming big with your small business. We’ve unearthed the tips and tricks you need to help you get to where you want to be. Use this guide to get inspired.
This guide is a paid content promotion brought to you by American Express®.
It’s time to put your business on the Amex map, so new customers can easily find you. Become an Amex Merchant and enjoy our backing with complimentary marketing, expert advice and tutorials, plus discounts on business services and supplies. Learn more.
Getting to know more about your customers can be as complex as running a whole engagement campaign with focus groups and A/B testing, or it can be as simple as observing how customers interact with your business. What do they buy? What time do they like to shop? Which social media channels do they use to contact you? How do they prefer to pay? Are you accepting card payments?
Reacting to your customers’ behaviour might mean investing in new ways to process payments so your customers can pay in the way they prefer. Take the time to do your research and find the right card reader for your business.
When you’re choosing a payment service, consider the customers that use it, but also what comes with it. American Express offers its business customers marketing tools, expert advice and tutorials and discounts on business services and supplies with its payment processing services. You can find out more about Amex Merchant Services on its site.
With contactless card use now making up a third of all payments, according to UK Finance, and cash use dropping every year, you’re likely to be missing out on business if you can’t offer your customers a card machine. It’s worth considering, too, whether you accept a wide enough variety of cards; and not just for your existing customers, but for your target market as well. For example, American Express says that its UK Cardmembers spend, on average, over 3 times more each year than customers of other card providers.
There are plenty of organisations and resources that can help your business take off.
This campaign supports “bricks and mortar” businesses that accept Amex by providing them with marketing, business insights and more. There is a per-transaction fee for accepting Amex payments, but small business owners get support in return. For example, during one of the Shop Small campaigns, either in the summer or on Small Business Saturday at the beginning of December, your business could be recommended to Amex Cardmembers through a personalised email, or featured in a map, making it easier for customers to find you.
Cardmembers can also be eligible to receive statement credits for spending at your business, at no extra cost to you.
Chambers of Commerce offer a range of services and support, including networking opportunities, marketing advice and access to funding. Find out more about what Chambers of Commerce do and how to contact your local one.
Other organisations that provide support, a community, resources or even funding include:
As your company grows, you may need support in managing business expenses efficiently; some banking and card providers offer additional help to keep your finances running smoothly. Amex, for example, provides its Business Cardmembers with specialist tips, tools and offers.
Choose the right card for your business and it can help you manage your cash flow (by taking advantage of interest-free periods), save time on expense reports, and enjoy perks such as rewards points when you spend.
For example, with the American Express Business Platinum Card, you can earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every £1 you spend.
You may be eligible for offers designed to help small businesses save money and grow. For example, Amex Business Cardmembers can currently save £30 per month on a cashless RWRD tip box: this is a way to make sure your team doesn’t miss out on tips just because your customers aren’t carrying cash. Offer available until 31 December 2022. Terms apply.
Use our free business plan toolkit including a walk-through guide, business plan template and example business plan.
Show your customers how much you appreciate their custom. You can do this with loyalty cards, discounts for regular customers, or special events like preview sales. Amex has more ideas and offers to help its Members support their customers.
You can also help your customers by accepting cards that earn them rewards points. A Finder survey of 2,000 UK cardholders in 2020 found that just over half (51%) of cardholders said they’d spent on a credit card just for the rewards. On average cardholders had spent £1,554 each chasing points in the previous year, an estimated £23.9 billion in total.
When you understand who your best customers are and reward them for their loyalty in ways they value, you’ll be creating solid foundations for your business’s future. And you don’t need to go it alone – there are plenty of tools and resources to support you on your journey.
Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Moneyfacts.
Funding Circle is making its debut into the business credit card market with its brand new credit card. Here’s what we know so far.
Earn Avios or cashback on all your business spending with this business Visa from challenger Capital on Tap.
A business credit card with a high limit can be a useful way to boost cash flow for your company.
Most business expenses are unavoidable, so why not bag yourself a company card that pays something back on all your business spending?
If you or your staff frequently travel overseas for business, choose a credit card that won’t charge punishing fees to convert currencies on foreign transactions.
Have a look at these business credit cards that let you earn Avios points on all your expenses, no matter whether you’re paying for a flight or buying drinks to celebrate your team’s latest accomplishment.
You can’t get a business credit card without a credit check, but there are many options for applicants with bad credit. Our guide explores these options.
With a decent interest rate on purchases and a nice interest-free period, this card can help you manage your business’s irregular cash flow.
Designed for small and medium businesses looking for payment flexibility, this card goes the extra mile with an attractive 1% cashback on all purchases.
Existing business customers could benefit from a single low rate of interest and fee-free transactions across Europe with this card.