You have probably experienced at one point or another the dreaded phrase “our systems are currently down”. No business wants to be in this situation; however, what do you do when your operations come to a screeching halt? We will provide some insight to help keep your operating business running smoothly should you be impacted by system failure.
Have a Backup Connection in Place
There can be many reasons systems go down. However, one of the biggest reasons may be due to your internet connectivity. Depending on your current setup, you may want to consider having a backup internet provider. This could be in the form of an additional sim card from a telecommunications provider. Many big-box retailers usually have this kind of setup in place and for good reason. You can check in with your current provider to see if they have available internet packages. You can use it as a contingency plan.
The same goes for your merchant account. Your merchant processor may have viable solutions available to help keep your business up and running in the event of system issues.
Also read: Credit Repair Services | 5 Star Processing
Have a Portable POS System Available
If you find that your systems are interrupted, it may benefit you to have a portable POS system in place that you can use via mobile or tablet. Your merchant processor like 5 Star Processing may have some available options for you to choose from. But having the ability to take payments from your mobile device is always a win-win situation.
Keep a Communication Plan on Hand
Having a way to communicate with customers is essential in today’s virtual environment. Whether you are brick-and-mortar or e-commerce having an effective communication plan in place will be important should you go offline for any reason. For brick-and-mortar locations, you can place a note on your storefront as well as a communication blast on your social media outlets. You can also leverage social media for your eCommerce site. Either way, maintaining communication with your customers will keep them happy and your retention rate good.
Also read: Choosing the Right Merchant Account for Your Veterinary Practice
Final Thoughts
As much as it an inconvenient for systems to be down for a few hours, having a contingency plan will be beneficial to help keep your operating business running.
If you have any questions on ways to keep your business running smoothly in event of a system outage, feel free to contact one of our experienced team members today at 888-253-9692 or [email protected]
