Overview

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Clover is a leading provider of comprehensive business solutions, including point-of-sale (POS) systems, payment processing services, customer engagement tools, and employee management software. With a wide range of POS devices and accessories, customers can select the most suitable hardware for their business needs. For added convenience, Clover also offers a virtual terminal option, enabling users to accept payments without physical hardware.

Not limited to the United States, Clover has expanded its presence globally and serves customers in various countries, including the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Argentina, and Canada. This international reach allows businesses worldwide to benefit from Clover’s efficient and user-friendly solutions, enhancing their operations and customer interactions.

Clover Facts and Features

• Clover offers a subscription oriented pricing model to their users

• Provides a Rapid Deposit service that allows users to get instant access to their money

• Offers an array of integrations

• You have to purchase the hardware separately

Clover provides a diverse selection of POS systems, from terminals to portable devices. While the hardware is not free and may vary in cost depending on the chosen POS system, payment plans might be accessible to accommodate your needs. The platform offers an array of integrations and features, such as Rapid Deposit, which allows you to receive your funds instantly for a nominal 1% fee.

Among the array of credit card processing services, Clover stands out as one of our top choices, owing to its impressive features. For newly established small businesses seeking efficient credit card payment processing, here are some key attributes that make Clover a valuable option.

Merchant Account

In order to accept credit card payments, having a merchant account is essential, and Clover conveniently provides this service through its parent company Fiserv. With Clover, you can expect the majority of your sales deposits to be available in your bank account the following day.

A notable feature we admire about Clover is its Rapid Deposit program, which enables you to access funds from credit card sales within minutes. However, please note that this perk comes with a 1% transaction fee.

Reporting

With Clover, accessing essential business insights is a breeze as it allows you to generate reports directly from its processing terminal. These comprehensive reports cover various aspects, such as sales analytics, product performance, inventory management, and customer preferences. To further enhance its reporting capabilities, Clover seamlessly integrates with popular accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, providing you with a broader spectrum of data and streamlining your business processes. For more details on Xero, you can explore our review of this efficient accounting software.

Fast Processing

With Clover, credit card transactions can be processed swiftly, allowing for seamless and efficient payment acceptance. A time-saving feature enables you to set tax rates just once, and the system will automatically apply them to all future transactions. This automation streamlines your workflow, freeing up valuable resources for other business operations. Additionally, Clover offers the flexibility of accepting payments on the go, even without requiring Wi-Fi connectivity. Once the device reconnects to the internet, sales are promptly processed, ensuring that you never miss a transaction. Such versatility and convenience make Clover an ideal choice for businesses seeking a reliable and user-friendly payment processing solution.

Payments

Clover empowers businesses to accept a wide range of payment options, including EMV chip cards, contactless payments, and mobile wallet payments. With this versatile payment processing capability, you can cater to your customers’ preferences and offer seamless and secure transactions. Additionally, Clover supports online ordering, enabling convenient curbside and in-person pickup options for your patrons. This comprehensive approach ensures that you can efficiently serve your customers whether they are physically present at your location or prefer the convenience of online ordering and contactless payments.

Customer Management

Clover’s customer engagement platform provides a host of valuable tools to strengthen your customer relationships. With this platform, you can easily set up customer profiles, allowing you to gather and store essential information to better understand your clientele. Furthermore, you can utilize the platform to send personalized emails to your clients, keeping them informed about promotions, special offers, and updates about your business. Additionally, Clover enables you to create and manage rewards programs, incentivizing customer loyalty and driving repeat business. This comprehensive suite of features ensures that you can actively engage with your customers, fostering lasting connections and enhancing your business’s success.

Gift Cards

Clover surprises and delights its users with a unique and charming feature – a vast selection of over 70 gift card designs that businesses can offer to their customers. This array of options allows you to present gift cards in a visually appealing manner, catering to various tastes and occasions. Additionally, for those seeking a more personalized touch, Clover goes the extra mile by enabling businesses to design their own gift cards, incorporating their company logo or bringing their specific vision to life. This thoughtful feature not only enhances your brand’s image but also adds a touch of creativity and uniqueness to your gift card offerings, leaving a lasting impression on your valued customers.

Merchant Cash Advance

Clover offers a valuable solution to address cash flow challenges faced by new businesses. In times of low funds, the platform can provide an advance to support your financial needs. The process is simple: Clover deducts a percentage from your daily credit card sales until the advance is fully repaid. This feature is particularly advantageous for emerging businesses that may encounter cash flow constraints. With Clover’s cash advance option, you can confidently navigate through periods of financial uncertainty, ensuring smooth operations and steady growth for your venture.

E-Commerce Services

The burgeoning growth of e-commerce presents significant opportunities for businesses, and Clover is at the forefront of supporting virtual transactions through its comprehensive e-commerce tools. This versatile platform empowers businesses to establish a compelling online presence by providing seamless website-building and online selling capabilities. Additionally, Clover streamlines operations by synchronizing orders, managing inventory, and organizing customer data efficiently. Notably, the platform extends its functionality beyond typical e-commerce operations, enabling businesses to create customized menus, facilitate appointment bookings, and securely process online payments, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction.

Clover’s strategic partnerships with renowned e-commerce platforms such as BigCommerce and Ecwid, coupled with its integrations with popular social media platforms and major online marketplaces like Instagram, Facebook, Amazon, Etsy, and eBay, offer businesses an extensive network to connect with their target audience.

How does it work?

To begin with Clover, your first essential step is purchasing a Clover device tailored to suit your business requirements. Once you’ve selected the most suitable device, the next phase involves applying for a merchant processing account. Clover takes pride in its online application’s efficiency, assuring a swift approval process. Moreover, their devices come fully equipped for accepting payments, enabling you to start transacting without delay. Additionally, Clover offers the flexibility of credit card processing independent of its hardware, accommodating diverse business preferences. With Clover’s seamless onboarding and payment solutions, you can swiftly establish your operations and begin offering seamless payment experiences to your customers.

Clover Fees and Plans

For small businesses, particularly new ones, the cost of credit and debit card payment processing is a significant concern. Avoiding unnecessary expenses and rigid long-term contracts is crucial for business owners seeking a seamless payment solution. Clover addresses this challenge with its transparent flat-rate pricing, removing uncertainty from credit card processing costs. The pricing is determined based on the specific POS software capabilities required, ensuring a tailored and cost-effective solution. Clover offers two distinct POS software plans to accommodate businesses at different stages of growth.

Register Lite: Clover’s Register Lite plan is an affordable option priced at $9.95 per month, with the added benefit of a 30-day free trial to explore its features. For in-person purchases, the plan charges a competitive rate of 2.7% + $0.10 per transaction, while virtual or manually entered payments incur a rate of 3.5% + $0.10. This plan provides essential capabilities such as employee permission management, sales tracking, and generating comprehensive reports. Additionally, it grants access to the Clover App Market, where a wide range of integrations can enhance various aspects of your new business operations, from efficient payroll management to valuable COVID-19 resources to navigate the current challenges effectively. With Clover’s Register Lite plan, you have access to powerful tools and integrations that empower your business growth and success.

Register Plan: The comprehensive Register plan, priced at $39.95 per month, offers all the features of the Register Lite package and more. In addition to the functionalities provided by Register Lite, this plan includes advanced features like inventory management, the creation of customer loyalty programs, and extensive reporting capabilities. For in-person purchases, transactions are charged at a competitive rate of 2.3% + $0.10, while online and keyed-in purchases are at 3.5% + $0.10. One notable advantage of this plan is its specialized functionalities catering to restaurant and retail businesses, such as streamlined order sending to the kitchen, table and staff management, weight scale connectivity, item exchange options for customers, and robust product tracking with profitability insights. However, some of these capabilities may require additional purchase of Clover-specific hardware. With the Register plan, businesses can access an array of tools tailored to their specific industry needs, enabling enhanced efficiency and profitability.

Customer services

Clover takes customer support seriously, providing round-the-clock assistance through phone and email channels. Whether you need help or have inquiries, their team is readily available to assist you promptly. Additionally, Clover offers live help accessible through their website and Clover POS devices, ensuring quick access to support whenever you need it. Moreover, the platform values your security, offering fraud protection up to $100,000, giving you peace of mind and safeguarding your business against potential risks. With Clover’s commitment to excellent support and security measures, you can confidently focus on running your business, knowing that you have a reliable partner supporting you every step of the way.

The response time from Clover’s customer support was impressive, with answers arriving within just 10 minutes of our inquiries. Typically, representatives took between 10 to 20 minutes to respond to each question. However, it is essential to be well-prepared and provide detailed information about your business’s sales volume, products, and specific requirements from the Clover system.

Bottom Line

Clover stands out as the ideal credit card processor for new businesses due to its flat-rate pricing, absence of long-term contracts, and provision of robust point-of-sale (POS) software and hardware. This cost-effective and flexible approach empowers emerging ventures with the tools they require to flourish and expand with assurance.

Clover offers a comprehensive set of features, including online order acceptance, mobile credit card payment processing, and the option to create gift cards and customer loyalty programs. These valuable tools work together synergistically, fostering rapid growth and gaining traction for new businesses. Notably, the convenience of having POS and credit card processing integrated within Clover eliminates the need to search for separate vendors, a significant advantage for newly launched companies with limited resources and an extensive to-do list.