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The Best Payment Systems for Personal Trainers

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February 28, 2023
tim saye

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Online personal trainers increasingly rely on online services for their business, and it is crucial to have a secure and efficient payment system set up. An online payment system will allow you to receive payments from clients quickly and, in turn, can help save time and resources when taking payments. A payment system also ensures you get paid in full and on time, which is essential for running a successful fitness business.

Why Is a Payment System Important?

Taking payments online can be a very awkward aspect of your client's journey, but it doesn't have to be that way. Payments can become a natural part of the process if you choose a payment processor system based on your company model and your client's preferences. Then, when you use the right payment processing system, you will never have to deal with frustrating money talks again.

A secure and reliable payment method can also build trust with your clients. This trust is essential in creating a solid customer base, as clients will feel more confident using your service when they know there is a secure payment method. Additionally, an online payment system can reduce the time spent dealing with paperwork, making it easier to manage business operations effectively. All these factors make setting up a payment system an essential part of running an online personal training business.

The Benefits of Modern Payment Systems

There used to be a requirement for companies to have merchant bank accounts to be able to accept payments via credit and debit cards. Fitness businesses could then use an independent payment processor to receive payments.

There is, however, good news for personal trainers since the modern payment processors we have reviewed in this article no longer require establishing merchant bank accounts. Having simple ways to accept payments is crucial for you to focus on the things that matter to you, such as spending time in the gym, writing programs, coaching people online, or creating content for your marketing channels.

The Top 5 Payment Processors for Personal Trainers

Running a personal training business can be complicated, and ensuring your payment processing system is secure and efficient is crucial to success. This article will review the top five payment processors for personal trainers, so you can determine which payment system is best for your business needs.

#1. PayPal

PayPal is an excellent payment processor for online personal trainers as it allows easy and secure payments between you and the client due to its robust encryption technology. No wonder it's the most trusted payment processor worldwide and is easy to integrate with most online training platforms, including PT Distinction.

PayPal offers several payment options, such as credit cards, bank transfers, and e-checks. With PayPal, you and your client have peace of mind that the transaction is secure and can track the payment quickly and easily. PayPal fees vary by country and payment amount, but the minimum fee typically starts at 2.6% + $0.30.

#2. Stripe

Stripe is easy to set up and use for personal trainers and provides a secure payment environment, which is essential when dealing with clients' financial data. Stripe also offers a range of features, such as customizable recurring billing options, detailed analytics, and fraud detection features to protect businesses.

Stripe charges a fee for each transaction processed on its platform, usually based on a percentage of the transaction. Fees vary by country but are typically 2.9% + $0.30 per successful charge for credit cards.

#3. GoCardless

GoCardless is an excellent payment processor for personal trainers. It's secure, easy to use, reliable, and has a fantastic customer service team. Sign-up is simple, allowing you to start taking payments immediately. The fees are competitive, and the system supports lots of currencies. With GoCardless, it's easy to keep track of payments, send out automated reminders and create payment plans.

GoCardless charges transaction fees on each transaction processed through its platform. The fees vary depending on the payment method, the amount being processed, and the currency. The most common fee is a fixed fee of £0.20 plus 1% of the transaction value. Additionally, other fees may apply to certain currencies or payment methods, such as a 2% flat fee on international payments made in Euros.

#4. Square Payments

Square Payments allows personal trainers to easily accept payments from their clients, either in person or remotely. The payment processing fees are very reasonable, making it a great financial option. In addition, the platform is incredibly user-friendly and easy to navigate. The customer service team is also dedicated and helpful when assisting with issues. Overall, Square Payments is a reliable and cost-effective choice for personal trainers looking to accept payments from clients.

The exact fee structure of Square Payments will depend on the accepted payment type, the country in which the payments are made, and whether your business has a physical presence there. Generally, credit card processing fees are charged as a percentage of the total transaction plus a set per-transaction fee. For example, in the United States, most merchants will pay an interchange fee (the percentage rate) of 2.6% for swiped transactions plus an additional $0.10 per transaction.

#5. Helcim

Helcim is a payment processor that makes it possible for personal trainers to accept credit card payments from their clients. With Helcim, you can take payments directly from your client's credit cards in the gym or in the comfort of your home. Additionally, you are provided with easy-to-use mobile tools that allow you to keep track of payments, view statements and manage your accounts.

Helcim also offers security features such as fraud protection, secure encryption, and tokenization to help protect client information and peace of mind. Furthermore, with Helcim, personal trainers can conveniently and securely accept payments quickly and easily.

Helcim offers a variety of fees and plans, including flat-rate and interchange-plus options. The rate will vary depending on the type of business, the volume of transactions, and other factors. All pricing is available on Helcim's website.

Conclusion

Selecting the best payment processing system for personal trainers depends on their needs and preferences. Determining which processor offers the most viable option for your business model and goals is imperative. In addition, fees, convenience, security, and customer service should be considered before making a final decision. With the right payment processing system, you can ensure that your fitness business is equipped to handle all transactions safely and securely and provide your clients with a fast, enjoyable experience.

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