Accepting payments at the counter
The below products can help you maintain your business operations while minimizing contact between employees and customers.
Consider using a product like the Countertop Sneeze Guard to act as a visible barrier during face-to-face transactions. The single-panel countertop shield has a window opening, allowing Square card readers to pass through and sit on both sides of the shield. You can even scan bar codes at checkout through the clear plexiglass. If you are looking for a larger shield that will cover more countertop space, try this Tri-Fold Sneeze Guard.
According to a Mastercard global consumer study, ~50% of Americans are now using contactless payments, 50% worry about the cleanliness of signature touchpads, and 72% prefer to skip signatures altogether. Encourage your customers to pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or a contactless card. Square Reader for contactless and chip, Square Stand for contactless and chip, Square Terminal and Square Register all accept contactless payments. As customers look to avoid touching surfaces, you can also adjust your signature and receipt settings. Click here to learn more.
There are more ways you can prevent employees and customers from directly touching Square hardware, tablets, or phone screens when completing transactions. Consider products such as disposable gloves, which can be changed frequently, or disposable wax paper which your customers can wrap around their fingers before using a touch screen. Stylus pens can also prevent employees from touching the screen directly. If you have a business with multiple employees or want to offer the stylus to customers, consider the stylus multipack to avoid cross-sharing and clean periodically with a disinfectant.
The CDC recommends wearing a cloth face covering like Disney’s or Citizens of Humanity reusable cloth face masks, and many states now require residents to wear face masks when visiting any business. Face cloth coverings should fit snugly around and comfortably cover your nose and mouth, as well as include multiple layers of breathable fabric. Make sure to wash after use. In a hurry and need face masks now? Reference the CDC’s cloth coverings FAQ and instructions for a DIY mask.
Accepting payments from a distance
While social distancing, it is recommended to stay six feet away from others whenever possible. We’ve rounded up the below products to help you and your employees complete transactions while distanced from your customers.
With Square hardware you can ring up the transaction in a separate area from where your buyer taps or dips their card. If you have Square Reader for contactless and chip or Square Stand for contactless and chip, connect your Square Reader from a distance using bluetooth connectivity. You can also use a USB extension cable, like this 20 ft. one, to keep your Square Reader plugged in and connected away from your Square Stand, phone, or tablet. You can also consider using an extendable stick to allow your buyers to complete the payment from a distance or for curbside payments. We’ve seen some of you doing this already, using sticks like this, which can be used to hold Square Reader, or standard camera mounts like this mount and tripods like this one, to secure your Square Terminal. Square Terminal has a standard ¼”-20 UNC screw on the bottom. Each of these options extend at least 6 feet.
You can extend your Wi-Fi range to set up a temporary checkout away from your normal counter. The Google Nest Wi-Fi Router or eero Wi-Fi router will help keep your Square hardware connected with fast, reliable Wi-Fi, even at longer ranges.
You can also create a Wi-Fi signal anywhere using cellular data with either a mobile hotspot device like this one or by turning your cellular phone or tablet into a mobile hotspot.
Disinfecting & Cleaning
You can use the below products to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, like your Square Hardware. Follow the instructions on the product for effective use.
Use a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe, or these cleaning wipes which are intended for electronic screens. Be sure to gently wipe the surface and avoid getting moisture in any openings or in the card slot as repeated use may impact Square Hardware over time. If you are using alcohol sprays, do not spray liquid directly on the Square Register. For a non-liquid solution, you can also consider using UV-C LED technology to kill bacteria and germs, such as the HoMedics UV-Clean Portable Sanitizer or, for larger products, the Cahot UV Sterilizer Bag.
Note: These products are not intended for medical use or for the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease. For additional information on how to prepare your business during COVID-19, please see the CDC Guidelines for business and workplaces.
Thanks for reading, we would love to hear from you. If you plan to reopen, what are you doing to prepare your business?
