Whatever kind of business you run, you’ll immediately see that there are benefits to adopting a payment QR code. They not only simplify the checkout process but also minimize physical contact between staff and customers during transactions, a significant advantage in the post-pandemic world. Moreover, they cater to the increasing number of customers who prefer to pay with their mobile devices.
In regard to financial considerations, you also don’t need to invest in expensive technologies to take QR code payments, as a wide array of digital payment solutions are now available at every price point. Maya QR, for instance, has recently become the QR payment processor of choice by many startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines. Developed by Maya Business, Maya QR offers merchants a convenient way to process e-wallet/QR code payments from any QR Ph-participating bank or e-wallet provider. No matter the source app of the QR code payment, Philippines-based businesses can count on this provider to offer seamless transactions.
If you operate a startup or an SME based in the Philippines, you’ll definitely want to harness the potential of this innovative payment method. And it’s likewise in your business’s best interest for you to optimize your QR payment process and unlock the technology’s full potential. Here are a few practical steps you can take to make that happen:
Make Sure the Code Is Visible
Placing your QR code in a visible spot is one of the simplest but also most effective ways you can improve the QR code payment process at your store. The principle here is simple: if customers cannot find or properly scan the QR code, they cannot use it to make payments. If you run a physical shop, consider placing your QR code at the point of sale, near the cash register, or in another conspicuous location. You might also consider displaying the QR code on customer receipts, menus, or tabletops, depending on the nature of your business.
For e-commerce businesses, the principles are the same, though the implementation is slightly different. The QR code should be prominently displayed on the checkout page or on any other page where users are meant to make payments. Ideally, customers should be able to quickly find the QR code as soon as they decide to make a purchase, without having to scroll down or click through multiple pages.
You’ll also need to ensure that your QR codes are easily scannable. Factors such as size, clarity, and contrast can all impact a QR code’s scannability. For instance, a QR code that is too small or too faint might be difficult to scan, causing frustration for customers and potentially leading them to abandon their purchase.
Keep the Payment Process Simple
The whole premise of QR code payments is to make transactions easier and faster, and a convoluted or complex payment process undermines this premise. Streamline your payment processes such that customers can complete their transactions with as few steps as possible. Try to structure your checkout process such that scanning a QR code takes your customer directly to the payment confirmation page, rather than redirecting them through multiple pages or prompts. Keep in mind that additional steps increase the likelihood of a customer abandoning the transaction.
Besides being simple, the optimal payment process also needs to be fast. After all, no customer wants to put up with slow-loading payment portals, whether they’re buying something online or in person. Hence, it’s in your best interest to optimize your QR code payment processes for speed. This might involve technical upgrades of websites or apps, as well as ensuring a robust internet connection in physical stores.
Offer Attentive Customer Support
QR codes, though simple and user-friendly, are a relatively new technology that not every customer will know how to use. Certain users may also come away with questions or difficulties about even the most straightforward payment processes. In such situations, effective customer support can keep your clients from becoming frustrated and ensure that they walk away with an overall positive impression of your business.
Customers who encounter issues with QR payments need to know that assistance is readily available. This support could come in the form of well-trained staff in physical stores, who can quickly and efficiently resolve any issues a customer may have with scanning a QR code or completing a transaction. For e-commerce businesses, this might mean implementing a live chat feature on the checkout page, or having customer service representatives available via email or phone. Lastly, clear, readily accessible instructions or FAQs can also help customers navigate the QR payment process.
Prioritize Security
The advent of digital technology has made data security a more critical concern than ever for modern consumers. While contactless payments are undeniably attractive to both businesses and consumers for the convenience they offer, companies must also make sure that their payment processes don’t create openings for cybercriminals.
Investing in secure solutions and brushing up on cybersecurity best practices will help you safeguard customer information, gain consumer trust, and improve your business’s overall reputation. To start with, source your QR code payment solutions from reputable providers that comply with global security standards. It will also help your business to train your staff in identifying and neutralizing security threats in digital spaces, as well as other fundamental cybersecurity principles. You’ll also want to communicate these security measures clearly to your customers, so they know the exact steps you’re taking to protect their data.
Collect Data and Feedback
Taking a data-driven approach to optimizing your payment process will both help you resolve short-term issues and identify additional ways to improve over the long term. This process involves both collecting feedback from customers and analyzing customer behavior around QR payment systems.
Customers often experience a business’ systems and processes in very different ways than the business imagines they will, which is why the insight you stand to gain from soliciting customer feedback is invaluable. Your customers’ input can highlight areas where they face difficulties, or where your payment process could be made more efficient or user-friendly. Consider gathering this feedback through customer surveys, online forms, or even by directly asking customers about their experience.
Meanwhile, analysis of customer behavior can offer a broader view of how, when, and why customers use QR payments. For instance, you might find that your customers are more likely to use QR payments for certain types of purchases or at certain times of day. You might also discover that certain demographics are more likely to use QR payments than others.
By combining these two sources of information, you gain a comprehensive understanding of your QR payment system. This, in turn, can guide you in making future improvements that are truly responsive to their customers’ needs and preferences.
Optimizing the QR payment process is an essential step for businesses aiming to enhance the customer experience and stay relevant in an increasingly digital world. By taking the above steps, your business can fully harness the power and convenience of QR payments, effectively setting itself up for a future of seamless transactions.
