Note: This is a guest article provided by Amy Nielson, a freelance blogger writing for Merchant Maverick ^[2]. You can follow her on Twitter @Nielson_Amy.

Business is becoming more interconnected with the virtual world by the day. People are traveling more, they’re getting busier, and they need all of the conveniences that modern life provides. For most, it’s much simpler to carry a debit or credit card ^[3] than to worry with cash, and business owners need to cater to consumer habits in order to stay ahead. Unfortunately, credit terminals are expensive (unless you’re using a PerkStreet debit card ^[4] or one from Ally Bank ^[5]!), and so are many electronic payment systems. Smartphones offer an alternative ^[6], and it’s easily the cheapest option for anyone who needs a hassle-free merchant solution.

The Cost of Free; Picking the Right App

While smartphones don’t enable someone to sidestep transaction fees, many of the available apps are free. Android and iPhone users both have access to an app called Credit Card ^[3] Terminal, and it performs all of the basic functions that a business owner would require. That doesn’t mean that paid apps are always a bad deal, but business owners need to account for the features they need before they decide which app is for them. Just make sure that your numbers always square up ^[7].