Visa's Authorize.net Offers SMBs Big Savings on Super Bowl Sunday Tips for how to digitize your business and manage eCommerce during the pandemic.

The Super Bowl is going to look a lot different this year for the local business community. For a Sunday that traditionally brought crowds to local restaurants and orders for team-branded cupcakes at local bakeries, there's now a shift toward delivery requests and curbside pickup.

2020 forced businesses to re-think their business models to meet consumer demands for touchless, digital experiences. Both contactless payments in-store and having an online footprint are key to attracting and maintaining a solid consumer base.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 82%¹ of small businesses globally have adjusted the way they operate their business to meet the increasing demand for digital payments, led by selling online (43%) and accepting contactless payments (39%), while 78%² of consumers have adjusted the way they pay for items because of health safety concerns. This shift in consumer behavior and demands cannot be discounted. A lot of small businesses still think it is a daunting task—but it doesn't have to be.

Visa's small business digital payment management platform, Authorize.net, can change the game with a one-day offer that can help businesses minimize reoccurring operational costs and open up new digital revenue streams. On Super Bowl Sunday, businesses can sign up and get more information on Authorize.net about a lifetime account for which Authorize.net waives its $25 per month charge and waives its transaction fees for the small business' first 100,000 transactions. This is a value worth over $10,000 for new U.S. or Canadian customers that sign up on Super Bowl Sunday, February 7.

Aligning with a payment management platform, like Visa's Authorize.net, should be a priority for small businesses as it can help them springboard into the digital world and open the door to new ways of engaging and attracting customers.

After you start your digital journey, here are some tips to expand your digital-first strategy and give your customers the experiences they want.

1. Sell online

If your business is primarily a physical store, consider setting up a website to reach your customers. This can be done quickly with any number of website providers. Many are turnkey solutions, but you'll need a payment gateway (like Authorize.net) for online transactions, as well as an acquiring bank.

2. Offer in-store contactless payments

As tap to pay limits have increased during the pandemic, it's clear that contactless payment methods are increasing in popularity. Many customers now expect to be able to pay without having to hand over their credit card or cash to another person, making the entire transaction contactless.

For close to half of global consumers (46%)³, having an option to use contactless payment methods is among the most important safety measures for stores to follow. Nearly half (48%) would not shop at a store that only offers payment methods that require contact with a cashier or a shared machine like a card reader. To keep your customers and employees safer, use a point-of-sale terminal equipped with contactless payment technology.

3. Use digital invoicing to get paid faster—with no physical contact

Digital invoicing also gives small businesses a way to accept payments from customers who traditionally pay face-to-face, like for automotive, home maintenance or other pre-planned services. Given the current climate, this is a good time to consider how you can use this service with your customers.

4. Give your customers options to pay online and pick up later

Many retail stores are giving their customers the option to place an order, pay online and pick up at the store or curbside. This is a great way to continue selling your current and upcoming inventory, while still minimizing physical contact. You can keep your customers informed about the status of your inventory through social media and email campaigns.

And remember this: Though small businesses are facing challenging times right now and foot traffic is down, 87%^[2] of consumers think it's important to support small businesses. Consumers want to support you, and the more you can offer them a digital-first customer experience, the easier it can be for your business to flourish.

For more information, please visit Authorize.net.