Swipe, Tap, Excel: A Clover Review

Overview 

Established in 2011 and based in Sunnyvale, California, Clover Credit Card Processing is a cloud-based Credit Card Processor (CCP) transforming business operations with its comprehensive suite of professional services. As a subsidiary of Fiserv, one of the world's largest payment processors, Clover delivers integrated point of sale (POS) systems, efficient payment processing, and solutions for customer engagement and employee management.

Renowned for its widespread popularity among small and medium-scale businesses spanning various industries—including B2B enterprises, retailers, e-commerce companies, and restaurants. Clover's innovative and comprehensive approach positions it as a top choice for businesses seeking an integrated and efficient POS solution, solidifying its reputation in the ever-evolving landscape of modern business operations.

Features

With innovative solutions and versatility, it becomes clear that Clover's cutting-edge offerings bring a lot to the table.

Enhanced inventory tracking: Clover's POS software helps businesses cover inventory management features to help prevent running out of stock or overstocking, saving money and resources.

Seamless integrations: Offering smooth integration with various third-party applications, Clover's software connects seamlessly with tools like accounting software and marketing tools. This capability empowers businesses to streamline operations and enhance overall efficiency.

Comprehensive reporting: Clover's software generates a diverse range of reports covering sales, inventory, and employee performance. These insightful reports enable businesses to find trends, track progress toward goals, and make well-informed, data-driven decisions.

Real-time tracking: Providing real-time sales and inventory tracking, Clover's POS software allows businesses to monitor operations as they unfold. This responsiveness facilitates swift adaptation to changes in demand or supply, fostering agility in business management.

Live chat support: Clover prioritizes customer support by offering live chat assistance, ensuring businesses receive prompt and efficient help with any queries or issues that may arise.

Tailored interface: Clover's customizable all-in-one interface is designed to adapt to the unique needs of different businesses. This tailored approach enhances overall efficiency and productivity for a diverse range of enterprises.

Efficient booking system: Clover's POS software includes a robust booking feature, allowing businesses to schedule appointments and manage bookings effortlessly. Particularly beneficial for service-oriented businesses, this feature streamlines appointment management.

Automated recurring payments: With a recurring payments feature, Clover's POS software enables businesses to set up automatic payments for subscriptions and recurring charges. This time-saving functionality contributes to improved cash flow management.

Cost-effective surcharging: Clover's POS software incorporates a surcharging feature, enabling businesses to pass credit card processing fees onto customers. This cost-effective approach helps companies to save on payment processing fees, contributing to enhanced profitability.

Various payment methods: With a highly adaptable platform, clover accepts multiple payment methods such as credit cards from major brands, EMV chip cards, checks, cash, and popular contactless options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

Gift card & loyalty programs: Clover boosts businesses with easy-to-use gift cards and loyalty programs that increase sales and customer retention. The Clover Rewards platform connects businesses to customers through mobile phones, enabling advanced loyalty programs. Moreover, the program plays a role in minimizing fraud often associated with paper certificates.

Drawbacks

It's crucial to acknowledge that even Clover's robust framework has limitations. These limitations should be navigated with a clear understanding, allowing users to make informed decisions that align with their specific needs and priorities.

Pricey services

Clover's pricing structure includes a starting monthly fee of $14.95 on top of a flat processing fee. The company's credit card processing system can't be purchased independently; it is integrated with Clover's proprietary POS hardware, mobile app, and virtual terminals, resulting in additional fees. Opting for the most budget-friendly plan means businesses face a total monthly cost of $49 plus $14.95 in addition to varying transaction fees at 2.6% + 10¢ for tapping, swiping, or inserting a card, and 3.5% + 10¢ for manually entering card information.

Restricted ecosystem

Compatibility is a crucial consideration when choosing Clover's high-quality POS hardware and software. However, it's essential to note that Clover's bundled approach means committing to their ecosystem. This commitment poses a challenge as the software and hardware options aren't designed to integrate with offerings from competitors.

Hardware acquisition costs

Businesses using Clover may incur additional costs to purchase or lease necessary base hardware, including card readers. This expense can be a notable drawback, especially compared to many other businesses in the industry that offer basic free plans, including a POS system. Investing in Clover's hardware may present challenges for companies operating on tight budgets or those seeking more budget-friendly POS solutions.

Application overload

The necessity of using numerous apps to access different features introduces complexities, from dealing with a learning curve to strained device resources. Juggling multiple features also amplifies the risk of decision fatigue during customization, compelling users to adapt to intricate interfaces and risking potential slowdowns.

Top Features

There are many special features that set Clover apart from competitors, delivering unparalleled efficiency and innovation in payment processing.

Proprietary POS systems: Clover distinguishes itself by providing proprietary point-of-sale (POS) systems, such as the Clover Mini, Clover Flex, and Station Duo, offering a harmonious blend of hardware and software designed to work in unison. These clover systems are highly adaptable, allowing businesses to tailor them to suit the specific requirements of diverse industries.

Mobile operations management: Enhancing its POS systems, Clover introduces the versatile mobile app Clover Go, empowering businesses with remote oversight of their operations. The app incorporates robust features such as inventory management, sales tracking, and employee management, ensuring comprehensive control from any location.

Global payment acceptance: With multicurrency support embedded in the Clover POS software plans, businesses gain the flexibility to accept payments in multiple currencies. This feature facilitates international transactions, broadening the customer base and consequently boosting revenue for businesses of all scales.

Clover App Market: Clover's Online store adds over 100 tools to Clover's POS device, making it a versatile multitasking tool. Users can download apps for things like managing inventory and tracking sales, all with a customizable interface. Covering additional features from scheduling employees to promotions, the App Market has over 200 valuable applications. It works with all Clover POS systems, allowing users to access essential business tools easily from anywhere.

Security

Clover CCP places an emphasis on the security of user data and maintains strict measures to ensure compliance with industry standards. Adhering to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) highlights their dedication to secure payment transactions. In the event of suspected data breaches, Clover CCP implements complex and comprehensive procedures to execute their incident response plan swiftly. This includes a thorough assessment, containment, eradication, and recovery process, ensuring that any potential impact on user data is minimized promptly and effectively.
Clover CCP also employs proactive fraud protection measures to safeguard users from financial threats. Through cutting-edge technologies like 2-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption combined with continuous monitoring, they can detect and prevent fraudulent activities, maintaining the integrity of transactions. The commitment extends beyond compliance, with regular security audits and assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Pricing 

As a credit card processing company, Clover provides a range of pricing plans and fees tailored to its services. The fee structure includes different flat rates, the most common being 2.3% + 10¢ for tapped, swiped, or inserted transactions and 3.5% + 10¢ for keyed-in transactions. However, it's essential to note that these fees may vary by industry, with some sectors having a rate of 2.6% + 10¢. In addition to transaction fees, Clover imposes a base monthly fee of $14.95. It's important to recognize that Clover's credit card processing services are not stand-alone. They’re completely integrated with their own POS hardware, mobile app, and virtual terminals, incurring extra fees.

User Experience & Testimonials

Despite the absence of a Clover Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile, the Fiserv Business profile has earned a 1 out of 5 stars rating alongside an A+ grade. People have complained about poor communication, unanswered calls, and problems getting their money after closing their accounts. Notable cases showcase customers facing long-lasting issues, such as continuous inaccurate billing that remains unresolved despite multiple attempts to contact the company and constant charges on terminated accounts.

On G2, where the overall rating stands at 4 out of 5 stars, satisfied customers consistently praise Clover's systems, emphasizing ease of use and versatility. However, some users voice concerns, citing limitations such as the restrictions on running payments via the mobile app, difficulties in refunding credit and debit cards, and the absence of an open order feature without a manager code.

In contrast, Trustpilot, with a 3.9 rating, is commended for their helpful and attentive customer service representatives. Reviews state that the company offers ease of setup for single or multiple locations and highlight the intuitive and adaptable functionality of the system. Additionally, Trustradius rates Clover positively at 7.3 out of 10, with users acknowledging its efficiency in securely processing credit card transactions and managing back-end functions.

It's essential to approach these reviews cautiously, recognizing that experiences can vary. Remember that individual preferences and business needs can influence these reviews, so take them with a grain of salt and consider all the information you have gathered and your unique requirements before judging Clover's suitability for your business.

How Do I Contact Clover?

For general inquiries or to reach Clover's sales team, you can dial (866) 599 2202. US merchants looking for dedicated support can contact the US merchants team directly at (855) 853-8340. Meanwhile, non-US merchants are encouraged to get in touch with their local Clover office for region-specific assistance.

Need immediate assistance? Clover offers a live chat option for quick resolutions, or you can email them at [email protected]. Stay connected and updated with Clover across various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Takeaway

In summary, Clover is a merchant service provider that offers Credit Card Processing as a dynamic solution to the challenges businesses face in payment processing. With their proprietary systems, mobile app, and multicurrency support, Clover caters to diverse needs. Backed by Fiserv, they provide adaptability, enhanced inventory tracking, seamless integrations, and robust reporting tools. While they enjoy popularity, potential drawbacks include limited flexibility in credit card processor integration and hardware costs. Reviews highlight varying user experiences, emphasizing Clover's commitment to security, tailored pricing, and customer support. Despite some concerns, the company remains a compelling choice for businesses seeking an integrated and efficient payment processing solution in today's evolving landscape.

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