Take more cards. Keep more of every sale.
Card machines from trusted partners, set up fast. We read the small print on fees for you, find the right terminal for how you trade, and handle the changeover.
How do business card payments work?
A card terminal reads the customer's card, and a merchant account is the arrangement that lets you receive the money. What you pay depends on your pricing model, terminal rental and other fees. DNS Utilities helps you compare options, understand the fees, and set up terminals that suit your business.
Reviewed by the DNS Utilities team, October 2026.
What we help you with
Countertop terminals
Reliable card machines for a fixed till point.
Portable terminals
Take payments at the table or on delivery.
Integrated with your till
Terminals that link to your EPOS so amounts are not retyped.
Pay by link and online
Take payments remotely, where the provider offers it.
Fee review
We look past the headline rate to terminal rental, PCI and statement fees.
Settlement and contract terms
We check how quickly money arrives and what minimum terms apply.
Card machines from trusted partners, live fast
We work with leading payment providers, so you can compare real options instead of taking the first offer. Fast setup is the point: we handle the paperwork and the changeover so you can start taking payments quickly.
- TeyaTrusted partner
- ElavonTrusted partner
- ZellerTrusted partner
- Rapid BankTrusted partner
- ✓ Fast setup, with the application and changeover handled for you
- ✓ One team comparing several providers, not a single sales pitch
- ✓ Fees explained in plain English before you commit
- ✓ Help for new businesses getting ready to open
Common pricing models
| Blended rate | Interchange-plus | Tiered | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | One rate across most card types | Card network and bank costs passed on at cost, plus a set margin | Cards sorted into bands with different rates |
| Clarity | Simple, but can hide costs | Usually the most transparent | Can be hard to read |
| Best for | Smaller, straightforward businesses | Businesses wanting to see every cost | Check carefully before agreeing |
A general guide. Providers vary.
Three steps, no jargon
Share a statement
A recent card statement shows what you really pay.
We compare
We check options from the providers we work with and explain the fee structure.
We set you up
We arrange your new terminals and help with the changeover.
See what your fees could be worth
Your effective rate shows what you really pay. Try the slider to see what a small change could mean over a year.
Card fee what-if calculator
Use your last statement. Illustrative only, not a quote.
Effective rate = total fees divided by card takings. Include terminal rental, PCI and statement fees for a true picture.
Card payment solutions: your questions answered
The card machine (terminal) reads the card. The merchant account is the arrangement that allows you to receive the money.
Your total card fees divided by your card takings, shown as a percentage. It gives a truer picture than the headline rate on its own.
Often the next working day, but it varies by provider and contract.
Sometimes. Some terminals are tied to a provider, so check before switching.
Many terminal rental agreements run for a fixed term. Check yours for early exit charges before switching.
PCI DSS is the security standard for taking card payments. Providers usually ask you to confirm compliance and may charge a fee for it.
A review is free and carries no obligation. We will explain how we are paid before you sign anything.
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New business setup
Gas, power, water, broadband, phones, card payments and waste, ready for opening day.
Get your card payment solutions quote
Tell us what you need and a specialist will get back to you within one working day.