{"id":17819,"date":"2024-03-07T09:59:47","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T09:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=17819"},"modified":"2026-07-09T15:32:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T14:32:48","slug":"best-payment-methods-for-small-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/best-payment-methods-for-small-businesses\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the best payment methods for small businesses?"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/money-matters\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Money Matters<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat are the best payment methods for small businesses?\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2024-03-07T09:59:47+00:00\">7 March, 2024<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"What are the best payment methods for small businesses?\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/best-payment-methods-for-small-businesses\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/kieronjohnson\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Kieron-Johnson-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"kieron-johnson-profile-picture\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Kieron-Johnson-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/01\/Kieron-Johnson.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 40px) 100vw, 40px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Kieron Johnson<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paying for goods and services is a bit like getting off a packed plane after a long flight\u2014you just want to get it over with as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But speed aside, the process needs to be handled safely and securely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The same can be said when accepting payments in your small business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best payment methods make it safe, quick and easy for your customers to pay you while being practical and cost-effective for your business to receive payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the right combination of payment options, you can provide a streamlined sales process for your customers and improve your cash flow by collecting payments faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we look at the pros and cons of seven payment methods and the factors you should consider before accepting them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s what we cover:<\/p>\n\n\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a href=\"#h-best-payment-methods-for-your-small-business-pros-and-cons\" data-level=\"2\">Best payment methods for your small business: Pros and cons<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#h-1-cash\" data-level=\"3\">1. Cash<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-2-cheque\" data-level=\"3\">2. Cheque<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-3-direct-debit\" data-level=\"3\">3. Direct debit<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-4-credit-card\" data-level=\"3\">4. Credit card<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-5-debit-card\" data-level=\"3\">5. Debit card<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-6-online-payment\" data-level=\"3\">6. Online payment<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-7-mobile-payment\" data-level=\"3\">7. Mobile payment<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-how-to-choose-the-best-payment-methods-for-your-small-business\" data-level=\"2\">How to choose the best payment methods for your small business<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-final-thoughts\" data-level=\"2\">Final thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<a\n\t\tclass=\"button button--primary gate-e8fae86a-9444-4657-a009-eba49287d7fd\"\n\t\trole=\"button\"\n\t\tdata-button-location=\"content_area\"\n\t\thref=\"#gate-e8fae86a-9444-4657-a009-eba49287d7fd\"\n\t>Get your free cash flow forecast template and use it to project how much cash will be flowing in and out of your business, and when<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-best-payment-methods-for-your-small-business-pros-and-cons\">Best payment methods for your small business: Pros and cons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-cash\">1. Cash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rumours of the death of cash have been greatly exaggerated, but it&#8217;s fair to say that the use of notes and coins is in decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The payment processing company, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldpay.com\/en\/insights\/article\/the-global-payments-report-5-enterprise-takeaways-for-2021\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Worldpay<\/a>, has predicted that the pandemic would cause in-store cash payments to fall from 13% in 2020 to just 7% by the end of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But cash is still king in terms of its liquidity and zero processing fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can also offer potential customers a cash discount to incentivise a sale you may not have otherwise landed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the flip side, cash is susceptible to theft, fraud and mismanagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It isn&#8217;t exactly the most hygienic way to pay either, which is the main reason cash use has plummeted since the onset of Covid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-cheque\">2. Cheque<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cheques have been floating around in the UK ever since merchant Nicholas Vanacker instructed prominent City bankers Morris and Clayton to pay \u00a3400 to &#8220;Mr. Delboe&#8221; back in 1659.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A cheque is a signed document authorising the transfer of funds from your customers&#8217; bank account to your company&#8217;s bank account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like cash, cheque usage is on the slide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From 2007 through to 2022, cheque payments dropped 90%. In 2022, cheques constituted less than 0.5% of payments according to trade association <a href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/inews-lifestyle\/money\/saving-and-banking\/cheques-down-since-2007-2617328\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">UK Finance<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main advantages of cheques are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There are no upfront fees<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They provide a payment record<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are easier to carry around than large wads of cash<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They can be stopped in the event of being lost or stolen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Historically, what made cheques unpopular was their processing time, which was anywhere from two to six business days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But since the introduction of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wearepay.uk\/what-we-do\/payment-systems\/image-clearing-system\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">image clearing system<\/a>, a cheque deposited before a bank&#8217;s cut-off time can be cleared by 11.59pm on the next business day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nowadays, the only remaining gripe with cheques is the risk of receiving one of the fraudulent or bounced variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-direct-debit\">3. Direct debit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your customers have to make a recurring payment to your business, such as a subscription, direct debit may be the way to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A direct debit instruction authorises the collection of a specific amount of money from your customers&#8217; bank account on an agreed date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accounting for 11% of all payments in 2022, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ukfinance.org.uk\/system\/files\/2022-08\/UKF%20Payment%20Markets%20Summary%202022.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">UK Payment Markets Summary<\/a> ranked direct debit as the third most popular payment method, behind debit cards (48%) and cash (15%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the positive side, direct debit processing fees are typically low at around 1%. But they vary according to providers, which offer different options such as flat rates, monthly or annual fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With direct debit, late and missed payments are a thing of the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Payment success rates are high because direct debit is connected to your customers&#8217; bank account which, unlike a payment card, can&#8217;t get lost, stolen or expire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And even though direct debit accommodates repeat payment cycles, it also facilitates irregular and one-off payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One negative to bear in mind is that your business may have to wait for its first payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is because direct debit payments work in predetermined cycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But you can easily circumvent this issue by using Instant Bank Pay, which enables an initial payment to be collected, such as a gym sign-up fee, before regular payments are collected, such as monthly gym dues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-credit-card\">4. Credit card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Barclays kicked off the UK credit card revolution in 1966 with its eponymously named Barclaycard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A credit card is a card issued by a bank or other financial institution, which enables your customers to borrow money from the issuer to make payments to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your customers then repay the borrowed sum &#8211; plus any interest and charges &#8211; by the billing date or over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nearly six decades on, 14% of all in-store and online payments were made using a credit card in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accepting credit cards offers three key advantages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They can increase your cash flow by making payments that are usually received on the same day for in-store transactions and within two to four business days for online transactions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Credit cards expand the customer base of your business, which can potentially increase its reach and revenue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/from-little-treats-to-trouble-new-study-exposes-the-hidden-financial-impacts-of-impulsive-spending-301896365.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Studies<\/a> show credit card holders are more susceptible to making knee-jerk purchases, which can only be good for your business.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But accepting credit cards isn&#8217;t all sunshine and rainbows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One drawback is that they incur costs such as monthly fees, equipment rental fees and processing fees that typically range from 1.5% to 3.5%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are also chargeback fees to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These occur when your customers dispute the charge to their credit card and reverse the transaction because, for example, they didn&#8217;t receive the product they ordered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s important to note that one too many chargebacks can result in a suspension of your processing privileges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then, there&#8217;s the ever-present possibility of credit card fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But you can shield your business from this risk by using a secure payment processing solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-debit-card\">5. Debit card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In another first for Barclays, the debit card made its UK debut in 1987 &#8211; 21 years after its credit card counterpart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A debit card is connected to your customers&#8217; bank account, which is deducted each time your customers make a payment to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your customers don&#8217;t have sufficient funds to make the payment and they haven&#8217;t arranged an overdraft, the payment request will be declined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2022, debit cards made up 48% of all in-store and online payments, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ukfinance.org.uk\/system\/files\/2022-08\/UKF\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">UK Payment Markets Summary<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The advantages and disadvantages of accepting debit cards are pretty much the same as credit cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But debit cards generally have the edge over credit cards in terms of processing times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Payments are ordinarily received on the same day for in-store transactions and within two business days for online transactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Debit cards also have lower processing fees, which typically range from 0.25% to 0.35% per transaction plus a fixed rate of \u00a30.04 to \u00a30.05 for authorisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-online-payment\">6. Online payment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Introduced by NatWest Bank in 1996, eCash was the first online payment system in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But what was essentially an early form of cryptocurrency didn&#8217;t catch on and was defunct only a couple of years later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Things have moved on a lot since then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, online payment involves your customers accessing the internet to transfer funds to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Online payment uses a payment gateway, which equips both brick and mortar and online businesses to accept, process and manage various online payments. Consider the likes of GoCardless, Stripe and Square here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Direct debit payments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Online credit card transactions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Online debit card transactions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/forecasts\/997921\/most-common-online-payments-by-type-in-the-uk\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Statista<\/a> survey found that 59% of respondents used online payment services in 2023, making it the second most popular form of payment in that year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Advantages of online payment include a streamlined customer payment experience, payments in real time, strict encryption protocols and cutting-edge fraud detection mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Disadvantages of online payment include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fees for everything from network access to brand usage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unexpected technical issues, such as payment system downtime, which temporarily prevents your customers from buying goods or services from your business.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-7-mobile-payment\">7. Mobile payment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If its meteoric rise in popularity over the past 17 years is anything to go by, mobile payment is the cr\u00e8me de la cr\u00e8me of the payment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/topics\/6757\/mobile-payments-in-the-uk\/#topicOverview\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Statista<\/a>, almost 25% of all mobile phone users made mobile payments in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simply put, mobile payments are any kind of digital payment made online or offline using a mobile phone or tablet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to in-app purchases, they offer a variety of payment options including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Digital wallets<\/strong>, which are mobile apps that store your customers&#8217; payment information. Using near-field communication (NFC) technology, your customers can make safe and secure purchases from your business with a simple tap of their phone. Examples of popular digital wallets are PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Money transfer apps<\/strong>, such as XE Money Transfer, Remitly and Wise, enable your customers to send money to your business quickly and safely.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mobile payments have significant benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For instance, digital wallets are unmatched in terms of their speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the sender and recipient of a payment are using digital wallets, payments often take seconds to process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Equally, mobile contactless payments have unparalleled authentication protocols &#8211; ranging from fingerprint ID to GPS location &#8211; making them one of the most secure forms of payment on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are also some downsides to mobile payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fees for NFC mobile payments, for example, aren&#8217;t for the faint-hearted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These include set-up fees, a fixed monthly fee, a fixed fee for each transaction and a percentage of each transaction, which can be anything from 3% to 5%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<a\n\t\tclass=\"button button--primary gate-e8fae86a-9444-4657-a009-eba49287d7fd\"\n\t\trole=\"button\"\n\t\tdata-button-location=\"content_area\"\n\t\thref=\"#gate-e8fae86a-9444-4657-a009-eba49287d7fd\"\n\t>Get your free cash flow forecast template and use it to project how much cash will be flowing in and out of your business, and when<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-choose-the-best-payment-methods-for-your-small-business\">How to choose the best payment methods for your small business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are a whole host of factors to consider when choosing the best payment methods for your small business. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a small business, fees should always be high on your list of priorities, but there are other factors to be considered. For example, a payment method may have low fees, but it may not be widely used. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the flip side, a payment option may be wildly popular, but have exorbitant fees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neither situation is ideal, but you may be able to find a workaround by choosing a fee structure that suits your business or by negotiating a better deal with your provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customer preference<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The old adage, &#8220;what the customer wants, the customer gets&#8221;, has its limitations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But it&#8217;s worthwhile taking onboard your customers&#8217; payment preferences and offering a suite of options that accommodate them and increase the sales of your business at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Compatibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even the best payment method in the world is subject to one caveat: the ease with which it can be integrated into your business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choose payment methods that can be seamlessly implemented into your existing systems, platforms and software at minimal cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Different payment methods have different features. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Opt for features that can improve your payment system such as integration, customisation, data and reporting, security and reconciliation support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Security<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Security risks vary according to the payment methods involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Assess the risks associated with each form of payment, such as theft and fraud, then select the options that afford the highest level of protection for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Scalability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it comes to business, your operations may be small today but big tomorrow. So it&#8217;s important to choose payment methods that can accommodate your business as it grows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For instance, card payments rate highly in the scalability department. This is because they&#8217;re initiated by your customers, therefore your administrative burden doesn&#8217;t increase as you scale your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-thoughts\">Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To reach the masses and maximise your cash flow, it&#8217;s a good idea for your business to accept multiple forms of payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best payment methods are safe, secure and seamlessly integrate with your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/sage-business-cloud\/accounting\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">accounting software<\/a>. They depend on your customers&#8217; preferences and the unique needs of your business model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it comes to accepting payments from your customers, variety is indeed the spice of life.<\/p>\n\n\n \n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Cash flow forecast template<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Get your free cash flow forecast template and use it to project how much cash will be flowing in and out of your business, and when.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-e8fae86a-9444-4657-a009-eba49287d7fd\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download the cash flow forecast template<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1215\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1303226324-1215x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Young woman reading in a library setting\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1303226324-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-b1a63862-3fa0-4a5e-bb67-c76b88bbc6b8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/business-finances\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBusiness finances\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/cash-flow\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCash flow\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/grow-business\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to grow your business\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/payments\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPayments\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-32306 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations category-technology-innovation tag-business-finances tag-business-performance tag-business-support tag-cloud tag-data-analytics tag-midsized-business tag-performance-management tag-productivity tag-reporting business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business industry-financial-services industry-professional-services card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-5-header-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-5-header-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-5-header-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/09\/intacct-5-header-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-29T12:32:05+01:00\">29 September, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">9 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/is-your-finance-system-holding-back-business-growth\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tIs your finance system holding back business growth?\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tLonger close cycles. More spreadsheet workarounds. Reporting that takes longer every quarter, not less. These are the signs a finance system has stopped supporting growth and started limiting it. \t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-16041 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-bookkeeping tag-business-finances tag-cash-flow tag-freelancers business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/invoice-tips-round-up-paid-on-time\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1282134863-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Man working on laptop at desk and looking at business priorities\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1282134863-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1282134863-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1282134863-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-17T12:27:57+01:00\">17 September, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">5 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tInvoice tips round-up: Essential advice to help you get paid on time\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-13339 post type-post status-publish format-audio has-post-thumbnail hentry category-growth-customers tag-freelancers tag-grow-business tag-sound-advice-podcast tag-startup-stories post_format-post-format-audio business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/sound-advice-starting-a-freelance-business-kate-bassett\/?scroll=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Blog_Episode-50-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Kate Bassett\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Blog_Episode-50-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Blog_Episode-50-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Blog_Episode-50-810x810.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" class=\"card-post__meta-icon svg-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M9.75 1.5C8.793 1.5 8 2.293 8 3.25v8.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0 .243v4.38c0 .957.793 1.75 1.75 1.75h5.5c.957 0 1.75-.792 1.75-1.75v-4.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0-.243V3.25c0-.957-.792-1.75-1.75-1.75zm0 1.5h5.5c.147 0 .25.102.25.25V11h-6V3.25c0-.148.102-.25.25-.25m-4.012 7.989a.75.75 0 0 0-.739.761v4.5A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 9.749 21h2v2a.76.76 0 0 0 .216.537.74.74 0 0 0 .534.223.76.76 0 0 0 .535-.223.74.74 0 0 0 .216-.537v-2h2A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 20 16.25v-4.5a.76.76 0 0 0-.216-.537.74.74 0 0 0-.535-.223.75.75 0 0 0-.75.76v4.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25 3.25h-5.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25-3.25v-4.5a.755.755 0 0 0-.469-.707.8.8 0 0 0-.293-.055zM9.5 12.5h6v3.75c0 .147-.102.25-.25.25h-5.5a.24.24 0 0 1-.25-.25zm3 1a.997.997 0 0 0-1 1 .997.997 0 0 0 1 1 .997.997 0 0 0 1-1 .997.997 0 0 0-1-1\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-17T12:27:33+01:00\">17 September, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">1 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tEverything we know about\u2026 starting a freelance business\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-2229 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-bookkeeping tag-business-finances tag-cash-flow tag-freelancers tag-start-business tag-make-receive-payments tag-tax tag-vat business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/the-ultimate-guide-to-basic-business-accounting\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1267191201_updated-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1267191201_updated-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1267191201_updated-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1267191201_updated-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-14T15:43:42+01:00\">14 September, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">18 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tThe ultimate guide to small business accounting and bookkeeping\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-20317 post type-post status-publish format-audio has-post-thumbnail hentry category-growth-customers tag-ai tag-grow-business tag-start-business tag-sound-advice-podcast tag-startup-stories post_format-post-format-audio business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/sound-advice-using-ai-for-your-business-heather-murray\/?scroll=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Sound-Advice_Blog_S3_Ep22-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Sound-Advice_Blog_S3_Ep22-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Sound-Advice_Blog_S3_Ep22-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/12\/Sound-Advice_Blog_S3_Ep22-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" class=\"card-post__meta-icon svg-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M9.75 1.5C8.793 1.5 8 2.293 8 3.25v8.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0 .243v4.38c0 .957.793 1.75 1.75 1.75h5.5c.957 0 1.75-.792 1.75-1.75v-4.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0-.243V3.25c0-.957-.792-1.75-1.75-1.75zm0 1.5h5.5c.147 0 .25.102.25.25V11h-6V3.25c0-.148.102-.25.25-.25m-4.012 7.989a.75.75 0 0 0-.739.761v4.5A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 9.749 21h2v2a.76.76 0 0 0 .216.537.74.74 0 0 0 .534.223.76.76 0 0 0 .535-.223.74.74 0 0 0 .216-.537v-2h2A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 20 16.25v-4.5a.76.76 0 0 0-.216-.537.74.74 0 0 0-.535-.223.75.75 0 0 0-.75.76v4.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25 3.25h-5.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25-3.25v-4.5a.755.755 0 0 0-.469-.707.8.8 0 0 0-.293-.055zM9.5 12.5h6v3.75c0 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