Today, customers expect more than just phone support and face-to-face interactions. They want convenience — especially if they’re only calling to update an address or pay a bill.

Instead of calling customer support and facing automated menus and awful hold music, your customers will be more satisfied with a self-service customer portal. 

Read on to learn how and why you should set up a QuickBooks customer portal.

Does QuickBooks have a customer portal?

QuickBooks does have a customer portal feature that you can use to set up a self-service platform for your customers.

Image credit: VARC Solutions

The Customer Account Management Portal (CAMPs) is available for both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop users.

With this portal, customers can pay invoices and download receipts.

However, our team discovered through using this product that this native solution is not as flexible and customizable as an integrated solution.

After putting it to the test, customers can update their billing information only when making payments. Other important financial data is easy to lose track of. 

There is no option to review past transactions, update contact information, digitally sign documents, or approve invoices and estimates.

Our investigation demonstrated that small businesses instead need a CRM (customer relationship management) that can integrate with QuickBooks Online. A direct integration with your accounting software makes everything easier, as it eliminates double data entry and keeps both platforms up to date at all times.

How Method elevates QuickBooks customer portals to the next level

With Method’s integrated QuickBooks Online customer portal, you reap all the benefits mentioned above and more!

Plus, the Method team can assist with the setup of custom workflows, so you don’t need to spend extra time and money hiring your own developers.

Here are a few examples of how Method’s 24/7 self-service online portal solution lets you better serve your customers and increase your capacity.

Bring automation to your QuickBooks invoice portal

With Method’s QuickBooks customer portal, you provide your customers with automated tools that make the payment process a breeze. Namely, your customers can easily pay their invoices online whenever it’s convenient for them, and with their choice of payment methods such as:

• Stripe.
• Shuttle.
• Paypal.
• Authorize.Net
• And more! 

Beyond that, you can automatically send email notifications to your customer’s inbox when:

• A new invoice is available.
• You want to send an outstanding balance notice. 
• You need approval from your customer.

Plus, payments made through the portal automatically sync to QuickBooks once approved — so the sooner customers pay their invoices, the sooner you have money in the bank!

Extend the functionality of your QuickBooks client portal

As indicated by our tests, the QuickBooks Online customer portal is great for taking customer payments, but it doesn’t do much more. That’s where Method comes in. 

Method’s portals offer unique customer service options that users will surely appreciate.

From customer approvals to service history, Method offers a variety of features that automate your customer service workflows end-to-end. 

Below is an overview of what’s possible with Method’s customer experience portal functionality.

Better yet, personalize your Method portal so customers can submit support cases online.

Then, when you receive the details, you can have the appropriate person reach out to the customer so they get the help they need as efficiently as possible.

For transparency, we should note that Method is currently limited to QuickBooks and Xero users and is only available in English. That being said, you can still take advantage of Method’s features in countries with a different native language.

How to use the Method portal

You can provide portal access to your customers with a unique customer portal link from the contact page. 

And if your customers don’t want certain contacts to receive invoicing notifications, they can check the “Do Not Send Billing Emails” box on the contact screen right within the portal.

You can also stay on top of your customer support cases using the Reports feature in your Cases app. View cases by status, by assigned Method user, and more.

But it’s up to you what rights and permissions you give your customers within their portal.

Thinking of another feature you’d like added to your portal? No problem!

Simply reach out to your Customer Success Manager (CSM) and work with them to bring your ideas to life.

If you still need help, there are plenty of help articles available to you.

Push QuickBooks Online further than ever with Method.

See all the ways how

Maximize customer convenience with your free trial of Method CRM.

Image credit: Anna Shvets via Pexels

The post How to set up a QuickBooks customer portal appeared first on Method.

Do any of these scenarios sound familiar to you?

• You have to ask customers to repeat their credit card numbers over the phone.
• You often ask customers to resend cheques when they forget to sign them.
• Your to-do list often includes payment processing, because you’re the only one with access to QuickBooks.

If so, here’s some good news: using a QuickBooks Online payment gateway makes these small annoyances disappear. And the benefits don’t stop there!

Payment gateways let customers easily make payments online. In addition, using a payment gateway with your QuickBooks-integrated CRM lets your staff process payments immediately — without needing access to QuickBooks.

All in all, online payment gateways help you provide customers with a positive service experience that keeps them coming back to your business. 

In this article, you’ll go through everything you need to know about using a QuickBooks Online payment portal. Let’s get started!

What is an online payment gateway?

The simplest explanation is that a payment gateway lets merchants accept credit card payments online. 

But, if we dive a little deeper, a payment gateway is a service that transfers data between a payment portal (like a website or app) and a payment processor.

Not sure what that means? Let’s imagine that a customer named Jane is purchasing a dog collar from an online retailer called Pet Pals. Here is a play-by-play of the payment process.

1. Jane reaches the checkout page, enters her Visa information, and clicks “Place Order.”
2. Jane’s web browser encrypts her credit card information and sends it to the Pet Pals server.
3. Pet Pals sends the information to the payment gateway.
4. The payment gateway sends the information to the payment processor.
5. The payment processor sends the information to Visa.
6. Visa approves or declines the purchase, and this result is sent back through the payment processor and payment gateway to reach Jane and Pet Pals.

And voilà! This whole process takes just 2–3 seconds, and now Jane’s dog has a stylish new collar on the way.

How does a QuickBooks Online payment gateway work?

A QuickBooks Online payment gateway acts as a digital channel to securely process transactions between your business and customers. Transactions might come in from payment methods such as:

• Debit cards.
• Credit cards.
• Bank transfers.
• Giving information over the phone. 

Choose a QuickBooks payment portal that supports the type of payment (or types) your business uses.

By integrating with QuickBooks Online, your payment gateway automates the accounting process. Invoices and financial records in your QuickBooks account update automatically, so you don’t need to spend time entering data manually.

Can you integrate different online payment gateways with QuickBooks?

Yes, you can choose which online QuickBooks payment gateway to integrate with, and even connect to multiple gateways. This flexibility lets you choose payment processing companies that best suit your business’ specific needs. 

For example, a QuickBooks Online payment portal might offer compatibility with a flexible payment option, such as making contactless payments. A QuickBooks integration lets them do so from their mobile device, using digital wallets.

Let’s take a closer look at what money movement services you can choose from!

How can I use an online payment gateway with my QuickBooks CRM?

Any business that uses QuickBooks and wants to accept a digital payment can set up a QuickBooks payment gateway in Method. Once the payment gateway is active, it has three main uses:

1. You can give your customers access to Method’s built-in customer portals (shown below). In the portal, customers can view their invoices and enter credit card information to make online payments. After the credit card transactions are approved by their financial institutions, payments automatically sync to your Method account and QuickBooks file.
2. A Method user can use the Payments app for processing payments. Eligible payments automatically sync to QuickBooks.

Nonprofits can use payment gateways too! A nonprofit can set up a Method donor page on its website. When website visitors access the donor page, they can enter credit card information to make online donations. As with payments, donations sync to Method and QuickBooks once the credit card company approves them.

What types of QuickBooks payment gateways are available?

There are a lot of online payment gateways out there, but don’t feel overwhelmed. Choose your favorite QuickBooks payment gateway, then set it up in your Method account.

Authorize.Net and PayPal Payflow gateways are available to businesses using QuickBooks Desktop or QuickBooks Online. As soon as you set up your gateway, you can use it in your: 

• Method account.
• Customer portals.
• Donor pages.

Intuit QuickBooks Payments gateways are available to businesses with US versions of QuickBooks Online. These gateways are also ready to use everywhere as soon as you set them up.

Also, PSIGate gateways are available to businesses using QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Online, or QuickBooks Online Advanced. Once the gateway is active, you can use it to process payments in your Method account. Take note — if you want to accept online payments through customer portals or donor pages, some customization of your Method account will be needed.

Best QuickBooks Online payment gateway integrations of 2024

Shuttle

Shuttle is a London-based company specializing in QuickBooks payment gateway integration. It is specifically a payment processing tool.

Method uses Shuttle to securely process payments made by integrations with a QuickBooks payment gateway, such as Stripe or Square. This software functions internationally, making it useful for companies that need to collect customer payments across several countries.

As Shuttle manages things behind the scenes, you spend less time manually tracking financial reports and worrying about money transmission licenses.

How it works with QuickBooks

Shuttle integrates with QuickBooks to sync transaction data in real time. This means that sales data automatically reflects in your QuickBooks account — without manual data entry. 

It offers a merchant login portal that lets you view your cash flow history, and even includes fraud prevention services.

Pricing

Shuttle offers a free plan and charges $16 per month for the basic plan. The paid plan lets you: 

• Customize your payment screen with your company logo. 
• Work with no advertisements.
• Personalize your payment link URL.

If you integrate your QuickBooks account with Method, you can add your QuickBooks payment gateway at no extra cost from Method. Use Method’s customization features to make your own ad-free, customized invoices and estimates with your logo and branding.

Note that depending on the payment gateway provider you choose, they may charge their own separate fee.

Stripe

Stripe is one of many popular payment gateways with QuickBooks integration for businesses of all sizes. It offers pre-integrated platforms with no-code (and customizable low-code) solutions. Stripe operates internationally and offers multi-currency support.

With point of sales (POS) payment processing tools, it’s a popular choice for retailers and businesses that require mobile payment features.

How it works with QuickBooks

Stripe payment solutions offer minimal QuickBooks payment gateway integration. But the platform isn’t specifically designed around QuickBooks and operates more as a standalone solution.

You can integrate your QuickBooks Online payment portal with Stripe through the app store using a third-party app like Shuttle. By doing so, you can import your previous Stripe transaction data and automatically record sales to your QuickBooks account.

Note: Stripe doesn’t offer an official app on the QuickBooks app store, so you will need to choose a third-party software to integrate Stripe with your QuickBooks account.

Pricing

Stripe’s pricing is charged per sale at 2.9% plus $0.30. They also offer custom pricing plans with volume discounts and country-specific rates.

Depending on which third-party application you choose for your QuickBooks payment gateway integration, you may need to pay an additional fee through the QuickBooks app store.

Helcim

Helcim is a payment service provider that targets small businesses and boasts low transaction fees to help save you money. With in-person sales and online checkout options, it’s a great choice for businesses that have both a retail location and an online store.

How it works with QuickBooks

You can access your QuickBooks payment gateway integration directly through the Helcim app. By integrating with your QuickBooks account, you’ll be able to import your: 

• Helcim sales.
• Customer information.
• Products.

Pricing

Helcim pricing is charged per sale at 0.40% plus $0.08 for in-person sales. For online sales, they charge 0.50% plus $0.25. 

You’ll receive cheaper transaction fees at higher tiered volume sales (50,000 or more per month.) Also, international transactions charge additional fees.

Square

Square is a payment processing platform that also offers:

• Payment terminals.
• Registers.
• Other in-person retail hardware. 

With virtual terminals and appointment scheduling services, they are a popular option for businesses of all sizes and types.

How it works with QuickBooks

You can sync your QuickBooks payment gateway with Square to automatically:

• Record sales.
• Create sales receipts.
• View reports. 

Information imports to your QuickBooks account once per day. This is done with an app called “Connect to Square.”

Pricing

Square offers several pricing options, starting with a plan that charges per transaction at 2.6% plus $0.10 for in-person sales. Online sales are charged at 2.9% plus $0.30.

Other pricing options include a monthly subscription cost of $29 and up (plus processing fees) that is designed for: 

• Restaurants.
• Retailers.
• Appointment-based businesses. 

Square also offers customized plans for companies that do over $250,000 in card sales per month.

Accept Quickbooks payments seamlessly with Method

With Method, you have a comprehensive platform for:

• Customized online invoices.
• E-signature capture.
• Customer relationship management (CRM) solutions.
• Seamless QuickBooks payment gateway integrations. 

As a result, you:

• Automate your workflows.
• Save time with manual processes.
• Keep an accurate record of your company finances.

Method features an instant two-way sync with QuickBooks to update your sales and customer data automatically. It also includes features to schedule bill payments and avoid late payments. With that in mind, it’s an excellent choice for businesses like yours looking to simplify your payment processes and improve your cash flow.

These benefits make Method the best choice if you’re already using QuickBooks as your financial accounting software.

Don’t forget to check if your chosen QuickBooks payment gateway is compatible with Method before installing it.

Ready to simplify the way your business accepts payments? The setup of a QuickBooks payment gateway is included with Method for free!

The post Best QuickBooks payment gateway for small businesses appeared first on Method.

And when it comes to spending less time on admin work, there’s a strong case for putting some of the onus on the customer.

A great way to accomplish this is by offering an online customer portal that’s linked to your CRM software. Through this portal, customers access their information and complete tasks such as:

• Paying outstanding invoices. 
• Approving QuickBooks estimates.
• Updating contact details. 

While it may sound like you’re asking your customers to do your work for you, many customers actually prefer to have self-service options. 

Better yet, some CRM customer portals connect to your other online tools, like your accounting software.

Method CRM is a great solution for time-strapped businesses. Since Method has a two-way integration with QuickBooks, using the customer portal yields even more efficiency gains.  

Below is an example of how Method CRM’s portals benefit businesses that use QuickBooks. 

Next, are the 5 reasons your team will spend less time on admin tasks — and more time on profitable work — when you use Method CRM’s online customer portal.

1. Your team isn’t spending time updating customer information

When you have out-of-date billing or contact information in your CRM, it slows down the entire process of doing business. And if you rely on your customers to get in touch to update their info, you may be waiting a while.

Luckily, providing an online customer portal solves this issue. Rather than calling or emailing your company, customers simply log on and update their details in their own time. 

Not to mention that these changes instantly sync back to your CRM, so your team always has the most accurate information on hand.

Pro-tip: To make sure your customer information stays up-to-date, send a yearly email with the customer’s portal link to review their profile details.

2. Your team isn’t printing invoices and stuffing envelopes

Invoicing through snail mail is a really inefficient way to get paid. It costs you money — both in supplies (paper, envelopes, and postage) and in time.

Whoever handles invoicing faces endless manual tasks to do before entering the payments into QuickBooks. If your business is still going through this process to get paid, it’s time to move to digital invoicing.

Digital invoicing is simple when your online customer portal integrates with your accounting software as well as your CRM. 

Just email the invoice and provide a link to the customer’s portal in the message. When the customer clicks on it, they access all of their invoices and outstanding balances online.

Customers download invoices from the portal, saving them from spending time attaching PDF files to emails.

Method CRM users: Brand identity is important, so personalize your customer portal by adding your logo and brand colors to your Method account. When customers access their portal, it looks like an extension of your website. Like below!

3. Your team isn’t waiting on someone with access to QuickBooks to help a customer

Even if your company is already emailing invoices, customers contact you to re-send a copy. 

But when there are only a few people with access to QuickBooks, you wait for the business owner or accountant to look up the information. This takes up valuable time.

The team member who took the message also has to schedule a reminder to follow up with the customer once they get a response.

With an online customer portal, these requests become non-issues. Simply send the customer the link to their personal portal, and they’ll be able to view all of their outstanding invoices.

Method CRM users: Every customer with a valid email address has their own personal customer portal. When you email an estimate or invoice to a customer, the email will contain their personal portal link. Additionally, you can find the portal link when you view the customer in the CRM.

4. Your team isn’t spending time accepting payments over the phone

The less time your team spends on the phone, the better. Connecting with customers is important, but there are better ways to do it than transcribing credit card information.  

Instead, customers can pay their invoices online through the portal, using a payment gateway such as Shuttle or PayPal. 

And as soon as the payment is processed, it syncs directly to your CRM and to QuickBooks.

Method CRM users: Method supports a variety of payment gateways for customer portals, including Authorize.Net, PayPal, and Intuit QuickBooks Payments (for US versions of QuickBooks Online).

5. Your team isn’t spending time processing orders

When your online customer portal is connected to a customizable CRM platform, you can open up even more self-serve options for your customers.

This simplifies your workflows even more and reduces the administrative burden for your team.

Consider the story of Method customer Cameron Fleming of HealthLinc Medical Equipment.

Cameron worked with Method’s customization experts to allow physical therapist customers to place orders directly through the online customer portal. 

The project was the first of its kind in Cameron’s industry, reducing the team’s administrative workload while improving the purchasing experience for his customers.

“The therapist logs into the portal selects the required equipment, and the information is captured in Method CRM for confirmation. The therapist receives a copy of the order and can view past and outstanding orders for multiple patients on their dashboard. Instead, of having 18 folders the therapist now has a single portal screen. And because the customer portal timestamps every submitted order, I can track order completion timeframes, and identify where further improvements can be made.”

— Cameron Fleming, President of Operations, HealthLinc Medical Equipment.

Providing an online customer portal that syncs with your CRM and your accounting software not only reduces the time your team spends on repetitive tasks, but also improves the service experience. 

If your business doesn’t offer a customer portal yet, why not give it a shot?

Client portal software for small business

There are several components to a good CRM for small business, including:

• Separating your leads from your paying customers.
• Maintaining communication with your contacts.
• Keeping up with sales opportunities as they come up.
• Ensuring customer satisfaction from first contact to close.

Although there is no shortage of CRM software on the market, Method CRM is a popular choice for small businesses that use QuickBooks and Xero. 

Its client portal takes productivity to the next level and keeps customers coming back. 

With it, your customers have 24/7 access to their accounts online. They can view, and approve your invoices and even digitally sign documents as seen below.

Beyond that, you can automatically send email notifications for when:

• A new invoice is available.
• Your customer has an outstanding balance that needs to be paid. 
• You need approval from your customer.

Not to mention that the payment and updated information is automatically synced back to QuickBooks, saving you from double data entry. 

Additionally, the portal can be accessed through a personalized URL link on your website. You get paid faster, which results in a healthier cash flow to grow your business.                                                                                                                                                                                                      

You spend more time growing your business, while your customers take care of their needs via Method CRM’s secure portal.                                                                                                                                                                                           

Recap

Without a CRM, your business processes face a significant slowdown. 

The good news is that small business CRM software simplifies the process to create a smooth workflow.

Not only does a client portal reduce admin work, it also empowers customers with the convenience and flexibility they need by:

• Simplifying customers’ payment process through various gateways.
• Syncing payments to QuickBooks in real time. 
• Allowing customers to connect with your business anytime.

Get started with a free trial of Method CRM today!

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