Category Archives: Payment

2026, Business, Online Payments, Payment, Websites

These Online Shopping Mistakes Could Hurt Your Business’s Reputation

Leave a comment

Your business’s reputation always matters, but when you’re in the business of selling things online, hurting the trust in your image can be even more dangerous than usual. Trust is what turns an interested visitor into a converter customer, so you have to be keenly aware of where it can be broken, as well as the steps you can take to prevent that from happening.

Hidden Costs

Customers do not want to be surprised with hidden costs right at the end of checkout. Any unexpected shipping fees, taxes, or service charges are going to leave them feeling misled. Not only can this lead to shopping cart abandonment, but it can also completely undermine any trust you’ve built in your brand, making them less likely to return in the future. Display all costs early and clearly, so customers know precisely what they’re going to pay, and highlight any options they have to adjust those costs, such as delivery options. When customers feel control, they’re a little more willing to accept the reality of fees.

Not Using Business Payment Processors

If you’re using payment methods that are designed and recognised more for personal payments, then it harms your business more than you think. You should stop using Zelle for business, as peer-to-peer apps like those aren’t designed for professional transactions and might lack the protections your customers expect, such as anti-fraud features. Furthermore, they can lack the protections your business needs, as well, leaving you open to chargebacks. You might even be violating the rules of personal payment platforms by using them for business, which can see you losing the account entirely, meaning customers lose their means of paying. Using a dedicated payment processor is much more reliable, secure, and compliant. 

Allowing Poor Website Performance

Nowadays, there really is no excuse for slow or unreliable websites. Customers are easily able to find competitors with pages that load quickly, images that display correctly, and navigation that works without broken links. Take the time to test your website routinely, looking for crashes, glitches, or any broken assets that you can optimise and improve. If you need to upgrade your website host to make sure that it runs effectively, then it’s a cost well worth paying.

Letting Fake Reviews Stand

You’re occasionally going to get negative feedback and reviews. These aren’t great, but if they’re balanced with positive reviews, as well as thoughtful and productive responses from you, then their harm is mitigated. Fake reviews, however, can tilt that balance against you, distorting how people see your business and what you provide, misleading buyers, and losing your sales. If reviews are demonstrably false, then you can report them and have them removed. Moreover, you should encourage customers to leave reviews on sites that include verification services, so any potential future customers are able to see that they’re from those who have legitimate experience with your business.

Your online reputation and the perceived legitimacy of your business are built on trust, established by transparency and consistency. Address the issues mentioned above and focus on a secure and fulfilling customer experience to help your business get the growth it needs.

BBC Radio CWR, Matt Porter, Payment, Podcast, Tap to Pay

The Gadget Man – Episode 183 – Are We Addicted to Apps?

Audio Leave a comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

In the latest episode of The Gadget Man, I joined Lorna Bailey on BBC Radio CWR to explore a topic that’s close to all our smartphones — apps. From checking our health and managing our money, to securing our homes and snapping hundreds of photos we never quite get around to backing up, apps have become the digital wallpaper of our lives.

But here’s the big question: Have we become too reliant on them? And are there risks lurking in our seemingly innocent app folders?

During this episode, we chat candidly about the app overload many of us experience. Whether it’s a dozen different parking apps or a folder full of CCTV apps just for one house (guilty as charged), we’ve all felt the weight of digital clutter and the anxiety of deleting an app in case we “might need it someday.”

We also talk about the very real risks of having so much of our data connected to apps and the internet — and how tech companies benefit from our every tap and swipe. While some of this data helps deliver useful services, like live traffic info, it also opens doors to targeted ads, invasions of privacy, and even scams.

Tips for Staying Safe in an App-Heavy World:

  • Only download apps from reputable sources like Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon’s App Store.

  • Avoid sideloading apps from unknown third-party websites — that’s where trouble can start.

  • Keep apps up to date — security patches are often part of these updates.

  • Use antivirus apps to scan for threats, especially on Android devices.

  • Be mindful in public when making payments with your phone — contactless tech can be abused.

  • Back up your photos and data regularly to avoid heartbreak if your device is lost or damaged.

There’s also a moment of digital self-reflection: Are we hoarding apps the same way we hoard random kitchen gadgets — “just in case”? You’re not alone. I’ve got folders of unused apps, too.

And while we’re talking about clutter, let’s not forget the thousands of photos we store and forget — until it’s too late. If there’s one takeaway from this episode, it’s this: Back. Up. Your. Photos. Whether it’s to iCloud, Google Photos, or any other cloud service, it could save your most precious memories.

Listen to the full episode to hear all the laughs, insights, and a few home truths about our app obsessions — and maybe get inspired to finally sort out your own digital drawers!

Want to chat more about this topic? Drop a comment below or ping me on social media @gadgetmanblog — I’d love to hear about your app habits, fears, and favourites!

Gadget Man, Matt Porter, Payment, Tap to Pay, Technology, The Gadget Man

McLEAR Launches RingPay With New Features, Rewards And Exclusive Membership Club Benefits

Leave a comment

On a continued mission to make life more convenient, McLEAR has been quietly enhancing the world’s most frictionless way to pay.

Smart Ring pioneers McLEAR launches RingPay to market. The payment wearable is packed with new features and exclusive benefits; RingPay Rewards, RingPay+ and RingPay Giving.

RingPay Transport
RingPay by McLEAR

RingPay by McLEAR makes payments fast, secure, and invisible. Users can make contactless payments of up to £45, and top up their ring by simply adding their preferred credit or debit card onto the RingPay app. The app allows users to track their spending in real-time, control their budgets, set automatic top-ups, respect physical distancing guidelines, and in case of loss, instantly freeze their Ring.

RingPay POS
RingPay POS

Making payments rewarding, McLEAR’s partnership with parsnip also allows users to earn in-store cash back at the growing number of selected retailers in the RingPay Rewards Programme, such as Nike, Foot Locker, Gap and River Island. A wearable so smart it pays for itself.

Ringholders can save significant amounts on everyday purchases by subscribing to RingPay+, premium members’ club to gain access to fantastic discounts and cashback, generated through hundreds of merchants across numerous categories including entertainment ticket bookings, cinema trips, restaurant offers, hotel discounts and holiday travel deals.

In addition, the RingPay Giving feature, let’s Ringholders choose to automatically send a micro-sized donation to their chosen charity when they make a purchase using their Ring. Ringholders control how much they give using monthly donation caps, and charities benefit from free Gift Aid reports allowing them to claim an extra 25% on all donations given. This social impact service is turning every contactless payment reader into a charity collection bucket!

The discreet and premium RingPay design is scratch-resistant, stress-tested, waterproof and requires no battery. Simply use McLEAR patented fist bump technology at any contactless reader for ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ payments. Forget the days of unlocking your phone or emptying your pockets. It’s always there on your finger, ready to go.

Daniel Blondell, Chief Operating Officer said: “The mission with RingPay is to improve the payment experience; making it faster, effortless and more rewarding. Whether commuting to work, picking up some essentials or off on your travels, RingPay by McLEAR gives you peace of mind knowing your finances are safely in-hand. Just kick back and fist pump your way to better spending and awesome rewards.”

We are reviewing the RingPay, so stay tuned for our thoughts!

For more info or to purchase your RingPay, visit www.mclear.com and get a Black Friday discount of 30% off when you use the code BF2020