Should you set up an ACH processing system now to handle electronic customer checking, or should you wait until more small businesses take the initiative? Most experts concur that ACH processing is the direction of the future. The question is–how should you adapt your infrastructure to these new payment options in a way that maximizes your staffs efficiency?

Many frugal small business operators are leery of instituting an ACH payment option for fear that the start up costs will prove too exorbitant. This may be true, if you dont do much sales volume. After all, your rates for ACH processing go way down if your sales volume goes up. That being said, if your volume is low enough that you cant afford ACH, you likely have other troubles on your plate.

Improved ACH Processing
If you decide to go with electronic check processing, its important to get the word out. Many consumers are unaware of this option, and so they dont bring their checkbooks with them when shopping. In addition, if youre selling products over the phone or via the Internet, you need to stress to customers that you do have an ACH option. A good staff should be able to answer most, if not all, questions about ACH check processing.

Encouraging more customer feedback can also be helpful–especially during the first few weeks of your ACH operations. That way, you can figure out how to reconfigure repayment processing for maximum convenience for all. At the end of the day, if you can shave off even a few seconds of processing time, youll ultimately be rewarded by higher sales traffic and better customer reviews.