Monday, February 10, 2025

Payment Processing Platforms For Small Businesses

 


Payment Processing Platforms For Small Businesses


Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! POS systems, and different payment processing platforms for a small business has been a topic discussed quite often lately with different Facebook groups. Mostly in the groups for vendors. 

I have seen that most of these systems charge about the same for fees. Sometimes you’ll find a service that has a monthly charge. Some of the services are good for accepting credit cards which customers do tend to spend a little more when they can use a card. Many sellers have seen more sales with card payments accepted. Some people still like to pay with cash too. 

Some of your platforms to consider for use with card payments, and some also offer keeping track of inventory for you too. Square is used by quite a few vendors. There is also Shopify, and Stripe too. Another one that has been around for a long time is PayPal. PayPal has Zettle that accepts credit cards too. 

Some vendors will only accept cash, and checks from those they know too. If you don’t want to carry cash, but still pay with it. You might consider using Cash App, Venmo is also popular, and there is Zelle too. 

With some of these payment services you will have a device, and the docket with it to use. Using these services you can use these readers that are handheld, some of them you will swipe the card, and some of them have the touch and tap feature too. You can also get the small readers that connect into your phone to use too. 

Long time ago I had bought the device with the dock from Square. Unfortunately, since we have moved I am not sure where it is. I have seen many people use Square, and Cash App or Venmo. Shopify, and Cash App or Venmo too. There are some who like to use PayPal and Zettle, and Zelle or also Venmo too. Some of these are capable of accepting Apple and the wallet too. PayPal, Zettle, Zelle, and Venmo are all connected some how, or a part of PayPal. 

I pretty much am starting over with things. I am hoping to do some vendor shows more towards Fall, and seasonal times too. Since I’m not sure where my Square reader and deck are I have chosen to buy the reader and dock with PayPal Zettle. That should arrive next week for me. I will also offer payments of cash, and to use Venmo too. Another thing to keep in mind is that some of these services require you to have a business account with them. After all these years with PayPal I finally turned it on for business. No extra charge for it. a 1099 form will be received at the end of the year from whatever platform you chose to use. You can print or send receipts, you can invoice, and etc. 

I have enjoyed your visit at LilacsNDreams today. Thanks for visiting, and hope to see you again. You are always welcome to leave a comment, share something, and message me too. Thanks again everyone. Take care!





Monday, February 3, 2025

Repurpose Reuse Restyle Upcycle Handmade DIY

 

Repurpose Reuse Restyle Upcycle Handmade DIY

Hello to all visiting today! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! My first of the year plans have not gone completely like I was wanting it to be. I was hoping by now I would be creating, doing some handmade items, repurposing and restyling a few pieces. Instead I have been going through things in basement. Slowly donating some things, some containers have gone to storage, and  have been posting things on FB Marketplace too. I’ve had a couple of items sell within about 5 minutes of them posting. That feels good when that happens. So I have been dealing with downsizing, and organizing of things right now. 

I have ideas of what I want to craft when I am able to work on things. Do some handmade, do some repurposing, and just sit down to create things. A lot of thoughts on mind, many notes made, and wishing I could wiggle my nose to make everything else be done so I could work on making some things. Get my crafting on!

So, what I mostly have been working with…besides the organizing in basement and donations…is with my blog here, following different FB groups that deal with crafting and vendor fairs, and watching my domain renewals. What to keep, not keep, or start up. I have been reading, and following what people have been doing with organizing their booth layouts. Also, things shared about payment services used, any issues, and questions being answered by many. It’s nice to see the input from so many others, and the sharing from everyone. I like so many things other crafters are sharing with items they are creating. They are doing so well! It seems like many people have been making a lot of the same things. It’s great, love it, but I also want to be able to incorporate a few things of my own too. Putting my own touch to things making it just a little bit different than what others are offering.

Below is a picture of a divided dish pedestal stand I had made. I really did like making these along with angels too. Many have been making angels, and I love them! Many are using all the same products to make the Angels, very close to same designs, etc. This is where again I would like to add a little of my own touch that they would stand out a little more for being just a little different. Making them a little more unique. This is where thrifting comes in very handy, and prices are reasonable that I can acquire a few more pieces to mix, match, and work with.



So, with a little imagination some of the old items can be like new again, and once conventional things can  become unique. I’m hoping for us all to learn some things, share some things, and be inspired with Repurpose, Reuse, Restyle, Upcycle, Handmade, DIY with LilacsNDreams.

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you visit, and hope to see you again soon. Take care, and be safe!