fdic

FDIC-Insured - Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government

COVID-19 safety recommendations: Are you ready to reopen?

June 24, 2020

Reopening is upon us, are you ready? We’re here to help as you begin to open your doors in the ‘new normal’ way of doing business.

 

As you navigate the ‘new normal’ of operating your business, Elavon wants to ensure you that we are here for you during these challenging times. Here are five tips to make sure you are ready to reopen and flourish into the future.

 

1. Be in the know

As businesses start to reopen, it’s important that owners understand the safeguards put in place at a local, state and federal level. Follow the guidance of health officials to minimize risk to your customers and employees. Social distancing guidelines include 6 feet of distance between people and may include wearing a mask depending on where you live. To follow the latest recommendations for your community, visit the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s website to keep up-to-date on the latest guidelines.

 

2. Providing payment options now and in the future

In the past few months, many businesses have had to pivot their business strategy to keep their doors open. It’s important to keep safeguards in place while also slowing returning to the ‘new normal.’ People are still going to err on the side of caution as businesses navigate how to operate moving forward. Continue to offer curbside pick-up, online ordering and delivery services if available.

If your doors have temporarily closed and you are looking to offer new ways for your customers to pay, ask about our solutions that can offer online ordering and payments, order notifications, mobile payments and more. We can assist you with a plan to move forward while growing your potential revenue streams.

 

3. Avoiding contact at the point of sale

The ability to accept contactless payments should be an essential component of operating safely and minimizing the spread of germs. Cash is no longer king when safeguarding the payment experience. Contactless cards, phones and smartwatches are all convenient and quick ways to pay while avoiding contact at the point of sale.

According to 451 Researcher’s consumer surveys, of the nearly two in five (39%) U.S. cardholders that noted they have already received a contactless card, more than three in five (61%) said they’re using it. Additionally, 48% of cardholders who have received a contactless card from their bank said it has led to them using the card more often.

 

4. Provide your employees with tools and training

As your storefront traffic steadily increases, it’s important to ensure you continue to offer a safe and clean environment for your customers and employees. Some important tips for your point-of- sale environment include:

  • Offering hand sanitizer for customers
  • Properly cleaning your payment device with a card reader cleaning card
  • Following the device manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines to avoid damage

 

5. Get social while distancing

The future of commerce is changing – whether you are a SMB restaurant or multiple-location retail store. Stay in contact with your customers, vendors and other businesses by actively engaging on social media. Get the word out on alternative services your business offers as you move toward reopening or simply adjusting what you offer your customers.

 

For more information on how we can help support your business, learn more about solutions tailored to small businesses here.

Related content

Trends in economics, immigration and mobility policy

Commercial real estate in 2020: Keeping up with the pace of change

The startup scene in Reno: The story of Breadware

The startup scene in Reno: Emerging tech leads the way

Finance or operating lease? Deciphering the legalese of equipment finance

Common pitfalls to avoid in the equipment financing process

Buying or leasing? Questions to ask before signing a contract

The secret to successful service provider integration

Insource or outsource? 10 considerations

Webinar: ESG for Corporations: Building an all-weather, long-lasting strategy

Emerging A/R solutions use artificial intelligence to target efficiency

Solutions banks can offer during the COVID-19 pandemic

Colleges respond to student needs by offering digital payments

6 timely reasons to integrate your receivables

Benefits of billing foreign customers in their own currency

Drivers for changing accounts receivable in 2021

Improve government payments with electronic billing platforms

Webinar: Digitizing receivables to transform B2B rent payments

Hospitals face cybersecurity risks in surprising new ways

Webinar: Robotic process automation

Webinar: Empower your AP automation with strategic intelligence

Webinar: Digitize your AP processes to optimize results

Webinar: AP automation—solve payment challenges with an invoice-to-pay solution

Webinar: CRE technology trends

Webinar: CRE treasury leader roundtable

4 tips for protecting your business against Coronavirus-related scams

5 Ways to protect your government agency from payment fraud

Webinar: International payments

Government agency credit card programs and PCI compliance

Modernizing fare payment without leaving any riders behind

Access, flexibility and simplicity: How governments can modernize payments to help their citizens

Escheatment resources: Reporting deadlines for all 50 states

How electronic billing platforms improve government payments

How real-time inventory visibility can boost retail margins

White Castle optimizes payment transactions

Payment industry trends that are the future of POS

Higher education strategies for e-payment migration, fighting fraud

Tap-to-pay: Modernizing fare payments pays off for transit agencies and riders

ABCs of APIs: Drive treasury efficiency with real-time connectivity

Restaurant survey shows changing customer payment preferences

Three healthcare payment trends that will continue to matter in 2022

Want AP automation to pay both businesses and consumers?

Digital trends poised to reshape hotel payments

Managing the rising costs of payment acceptance with service fees

Webinar: CSM corporation re-thinks AP

Adjust collections to limit impact of USPS delivery changes

How to improve digital payments security for your health system

Increase working capital with Commercial Card Optimization

Luxury jeweler enhances the digital billing and payment customer experience

Enhancing the patient experience through people-centered payments

Unexpected cost savings may be hiding in your payment strategy

3 ways to adapt to the new payments landscape

Automate escheatment for accounts payable to save time and money

3 benefits of integrated payments in healthcare

How COVID-19 is transforming healthcare payments

Automate accounts payable to optimize revenue and payments

Top 3 ways digital payments can transform the patient experience

Understanding and preparing for the new payment experience

What to know when investing in AP automation solutions

Webinar: AP automation for commercial real estate

Ways prepaid cards disburse government funds to the unbanked

3 reasons governments and educational institutions should implement service fees

How AR technology is helping advance payment processing at Avera Health

Top tips for card payments optimization

The benefits of payment digitization: Pushing for simplicity

COVID-19 safety recommendations: Are you ready to reopen?

Collect utility and telecom bill payments faster

Government billing survey: The digital transformation of the payment experience

Safeguarding the payment experience through contactless

Higher education and the cashless society: Latest trends

3 ways to make practical use of real-time payments

4 benefits to paying foreign suppliers in their own currency

Digital Onboarding helps finance firm’s clients build communities

Tailor Ridge eBill case study

Digital receivables to meet changing demand

Webinar: Reviving mobility, what to expect

ABCs of ARP: Answers to American Rescue Plan questions for counties

Webinar: Navigating today’s work-from-anywhere world

Webinar: Fraud prevention and mitigation for government agencies

Overcoming the 3 key challenges of a lump sum relocation program

5 steps to take before transitioning your business

How to sell your business without emotions getting in the way

10 tips on how to run a successful family business

How entrepreneurs can plan for what matters most

Streamline operations with all-in-one small business financial support

Checklist: What you’ll need for your first retail pop-up shop

How mobile point of sale (mPOS) can benefit your side gig

How I did it: Turned my side hustle into a full-time job

Talent acquisition 101: Building a small business dream team

Make your business legit

Opening a business on a budget during COVID-19

How to test new business ideas

How to establish your business credit score

How to get started creating your business plan

How to redefine challenges with business collaboration

Costs to consider when starting a business

The costs of hiring a new employee

How business owners are managing during the supply chain crisis

4 restaurant models that aren’t dine-in

How to expand your business: Does a new location make sense?

Rethinking common time management tips

How to apply for a business credit card

How this photography business persevered through tough times

How Everyday Funding can improve cash flow

How a small business is moving forward during COVID-19

Prioritizing payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic

How jumbo loans can help home buyers and your builder business

How to accept credit cards online

How a bar trivia company went digital during COVID-19

How a travel clothing retailer is staying true to its brand values

How community gave life to lifestyle boutique Les Sol

How a group fitness studio made the most of online workouts

How to build a content team

How Wenonah Canoe is making a boom in business last

Multigenerational household financial planning strategies

How to manage money tips

LGBTQ+ financial planning tips

5 financial goals for the new year

Year-end financial checklist

How to track your spending patterns

How to manage your money: 6 steps to take

Do I need a financial advisor?

How to manage your finances when you're self-employed

Reviewing your beneficiaries: A 5-step guide

Good debt vs. bad debt: Know the difference

4 reasons estate planning is important

How to talk about money with your family

Financial steps to take after the death of a spouse

6 tips for trust fund distribution to beneficiaries

How to protect your digital assets in your estate plan

Estate planning documents: Living trusts vs. will vs. living will

4 tips to help you save for retirement in your 20s

How to build wealth at any age

Retirement income planning: 4 steps to take

5 unexpected retirement expenses

How to retire happy

Retirement planning in the gig economy

Key milestone ages as you near and start retirement

Retirement planning strategies for dual-income families

Preparing for retirement: 8 steps to take

LGBTQ+ retirement planning: What you need to know

The connection between your health and financial well-being

7 things to know about long-term care insurance

8 steps to choosing a health insurance plan

Is a Health Savings Account missing from your retirement plan?

3 types of insurance you shouldn’t ignore

What is Medicare? Understanding your coverage options

Working after retirement: Factors to consider

4 steps to finding a charity to support

7 year-end tax planning tips

Should I itemize my taxes?

Do your investments match your financial goals?

Investment strategies by age

Can fantasy football make you a better investor?

A beginner's guide to investing

Tips for navigating a medical hardship when you’re unable to work

How to plan and save for adoption and in vitro fertility treatment costs

11 essential things to do before baby comes

Closing on a house checklist for buyers

Checklist: 10 questions to ask your home inspector

What you need to know as the executor of an estate

When your spouse has passed away: A three-month financial checklist

What documents do you need after a loved one dies?

Resources for managing financial matters after an unexpected death

Student checklist: Preparing for college

Webinar: Uncover the cost: College diploma

How to save money in college: easy ways to spend less

How I did it: Paid off student loans

Webinar: Bank Notes: College cost comparison

Annual insurance review checklist

Learn how to spot scams related to COVID-19

From LLC to S-corp: Choosing a small business entity

6 pandemic money habits to keep for the long term

Friction: How it can help achieve money goals

How I kicked my online shopping habit and got my spending under control

Your 4-step guide to financial planning

How to stay financially focused in the face of economic uncertainty

How I did it: Learned to budget as a single mom

What military service taught me about money management

Webinar: Uncover the cost: Wedding

Making the most out of your Economic Impact Payment

Webinar: Uncover the cost: International trip

Adulting 101: How to make a budget plan

How having savings gives you peace of mind

Personal loans first-timer's guide: 7 questions to ask

Tips to overcome three common savings hurdles

3 awkward situations Zelle can help avoid

Webinar: Mindset Matters: How to practice mindful spending

How to save money while helping the environment

How can I help my student manage money?

U.S. Bank asks: Do you know your finances?

Do you and your fiancé have compatible financial goals?

U.S. Bank asks: Transitioning out of college life? What’s next?

Which is better: Combining bank accounts before marriage — or after?

Personal finance for teens can empower your child

Don’t underestimate the importance of balancing your checking account

9 simple ways to save

Is it time to get a shared bank account with your partner?

How to save for a wedding

It's possible: 7 tips for breaking the spending cycle

Here’s how to create a budget for yourself

Multiple accounts can make it easier to follow a monthly budget

7 steps: How couples and single parents can prepare for child care costs

5 reasons why couples may have separate bank accounts

Dear Money Mentor: How do I set and track financial goals?

Tips for working in the gig economy

A passion for fashion: How this student works the gig economy

Lost job finance tips: What to do when you lose your job

Money management guide to financial independence

Money Moments: 8 dos and don’ts for saving money in your 30s

30-day adulting challenge: Financial wellness tasks to complete in a month

Money Moments: 3 smart financial strategies when caring for aging parents

7 financial questions to consider when changing jobs

How voice-activated devices work with banks

P2P payments make it easier to split the tab

Money Moments: How to manage your finances after a divorce

What’s in your emergency fund?

Travel for less: Smart (not cheap) ways to spend less on your next trip

How to stop living paycheck to paycheck post-pay increase

What you need to know about renting

What financial advice would you give your younger self?

Understanding guardianship and power of attorney in banking

Financial gifts can be a valuable – and fun – choice for the holidays

It’s time for a fresh start: A new way of thinking

How to open and invest in a 529 plan

Your financial aid guide: What are your options?

Parent checklist: Preparing for college

How grandparents can contribute to college funds instead of buying gifts

Using 529 plans for K-12 tuition

How to apply for federal student aid through the FAFSA

Be careful when taking out student loans

How to use debt to build wealth

7 steps to keep your personal and business finances separate

Dear Money Mentor: How do I begin paying off credit card debt?

For today's homebuyers, time and money are everything

Should you buy a house that’s still under construction?

Crypto + Homebuying: Impacts on the real estate market

House Hacks: How buying an investment property worked as my first home

Your guide to breaking the rental cycle

Webinar: Uncover the cost: Building a home

Military homeownership: Your guide to resources, financing and more

How I did it: Bought a home without a 20 percent down payment

Home buying myths: Realities of owning a home

Money Moments: Tips for selling your home

First-time homebuyer’s guide to getting a mortgage

4 ways to free up your budget (and your life) with a smaller home

10 ways to increase your home’s curb appeal

10 questions to ask when hiring a contractor

Beyond the mortgage: Other costs for homeowners

5 things to avoid that can devalue your home

Webinar: Mortgage basics: How much house can you afford?

Webinar: Uncover the cost: Home renovation

Myth vs. truth: What affects your credit score?

Car shopping: Buying versus leasing your next vehicle

How to winterize your vehicle

Questions to ask before buying a car

What you should know about buying a car

Take the stress out of buying your teen a car

Start of disclosure content

Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rate and program terms are subject to change without notice. Mortgage, home equity and credit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC.