7 Tips for Maximizing ATM Revenue in 2022

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We’ve talked about maximizing ATM revenue before, but we think it bears repeating. Plus, some things have changed in the economy and the industry in recent years. So, here is a modified, modernized, fresh list of things you can do to maximize your ATM revenue this year.

What is ATM Revenue?

Your ATM revenue is the money your machine brings in. So, how many people use your ATM in a day? A month? A year? The number of transactions made multiplied by your surcharge equals your revenue. The more revenue you make, the more profit you make because that means there is more left over after you cover business expenses. Maximum revenue is good for your business, and it’s good for you!

How to Make ATM Revenue Projections

There are a couple of ways you can predict your revenue and set revenue goals. First, if your ATM machine is in a store, restaurant, or other business, you might expect an average of 200 customers to visit the establishment every day. Now, the ATM industry estimates that about 1-5% of people who see an ATM actually use it, so you can count on about 6 or so people using your machine each day.

Another way to figure revenue projections is to determine how many adult patrons the establishment sees in a day. This should equal (plus or minus 10%) the same number of ATM transactions your machine will have in a month. This number might be a little lower if the establishment accepts credit cards or offers cash back at the point of sale (POS). 

For estimation’s sake, then, say the establishment where your machine is located sees 200 patrons a day. At the higher end of the spectrum, you could expect 200 ATM transactions in a month. At the lower end of the spectrum, you might expect 20-40% less (120-160). Multiplied by an average surcharge of about $3.00, you’re looking at a range of about $360-$480 in revenue each month.

Now, these figures won’t be exact. As you can see from the following list, there are a number of factors to take into consideration when it comes to maximizing your ATM revenue. So if you are experiencing numbers lower than the projections you get from the formulas, try implementing one or more of these 7 tips.

How to Maximize ATM Revenue

1. Adjust Surcharge

One of the most obvious ways to bring in more money is to adjust the surcharge. This is, after all, where your revenue comes from. However, while raising your surcharge could bring in more revenue, it could also deter customers if it’s too high.

If you already have a relatively high surcharge (the average is about $3.00), lowering it might bring in more users. Eight transactions at $2.50 is more than 6 transactions at $3.00. So you’ll want to experiment to find the sweet spot. 

Your surcharge fee will also depend on your competition. Consider the rates of nearby ATM machines. If you can offer a lower surcharge, you might be able to corner the market. If you don’t have any competition, you might be able to increase your surcharge without compromising the number of transactions you see.

And don’t forget, if your ATM is located in an establishment with a liquor license, your surcharge could be upwards of $4.00. So the establishment where your machine is located is a factor as well.

2. Diversify Denominations

Believe it or not, not all denominations perform the same in every location. In areas where there are more high dollar withdrawal amounts, higher denominations like 20s are standard and convenient for users. However, ATMs in areas where people prefer to withdraw smaller amounts of cash at a time perform better with smaller denominations like 5s or 10s.

To change the denomination(s) your machine dispenses, speak with your ATM processor. They will need to set you up with the right cassette and programming to make it happen.

3. Advertise

People cannot use your machine if they don’t know it exists. Therefore, advertising is key. There are a number of simple things you can do that won’t cost you a thing.

First of all, make passersby aware that your ATM is nearby even before they enter the establishment. Consider putting up a sign in the window for some cheap, easy advertising. Make your own sign for free, or purchase one depending on your needs and the preference of the location owner.

Second, advertise your ATM on the establishment’s website or on Google Maps. Make sure that people who are researching the establishment online or are looking specifically for an ATM machine know that there is one at that location.

Third, make sure the machine can be seen by patrons of the establishment. Is it in plain sight with no shelves or corners hiding it? Are there zero obstructions, making it easy to get to? Is the area well-lit? These are all factors to consider when it comes to drawing in more users, and the best part is that they can easily be adjusted without spending any extra money.

Now, if you do find that you need to do a little more, you might want to put some money into your advertising. You can purchase a topper for your ATM machine that helps make it more visible. You can even get one that can display messages and graphics to add to its appeal. Use LED signs and lights with bright colors to catch customers’ attention.

4. Offer Incentives

Your ATM might have the ability to print coupons on the ATM receipt paper. This is a great way to encourage repeat business. Gas discount coupons work well for gas stations. Car wash coupons, BOGO offers, and free drink with purchase are other good ideas. Customers are more likely to use an ATM if they get a bonus or extra benefit.

5. Update and Upgrade

Customers might not feel comfortable using your machine if it looks old, run-down, and out-of-order or likely to malfunction. If you are looking for ways to maximize your ATM revenue, we’re sure this isn’t the state of your machine. But customers might not know that just by looking at it. 

Make sure the area around the machine is clean, the machine itself is clean, the decals are new and not peeling, and your machine is fully stocked and functioning during all hours of operation. The less downtime your machine experiences, the more opportunities you open to transactions.

Your machine might look great! But certain upgrades can make your machine stand out from the competition. Earlier we mentioned using LED lights, topper, and graphics to help advertise your machine, but these features can also make your machine look more inviting if it’s already in a conspicuous area.

As long as you ensure your software is updated, then you minimize the downtime of your ATM and speed up transactions. This keeps users coming back. Upgrades are a nice touch if you find that you need them. 

6. Change Locations

You might want to experiment with the placement of your machine as well. Place the machine near the door where patrons have two opportunities to pass by it (coming and going). Or near the cash register where almost every patron is sure to stop and probably need cash. You might also consider placing it near a particularly popular aisle where more people are likely to spot it. Be strategic.

If your machine can be hooked up outside, you might want to consider this as well. This opens business up to passersby who never intended to enter the establishment in the first place. It’s also quite obviously visible this way, and if the establishment isn’t open 24/7, you open your machine up to more transaction opportunities by extending its hours of operation.

Finally, if all else fails and you aren’t seeing the numbers you want to, it might be a matter of slow business or foot traffic to the location. If you aren’t seeing at least 200 patrons in a day/transactions in a month, you might consider looking for a busier, more profitable location.

7. Scale Your Business

Now, if your machine is doing as well as you could hope, but you still want to bring in more revenue, it might be time to scale. This could mean adding another ATM machine or two (or ten!) to your route, or it could mean branching out into the Bitcoin ATM business. 

Cryptocurrency is rising in popularity. If you live in an area with a heavy population of crypto users, it might be worth it to give it a shot. Bitcoin ATMs (BTMs) allow users to purchase bitcoin with cash or debit card, and they can sell bitcoin for cash as well. Adding a BTM to your route would provide an additional source of revenue.

Maximize ATM Revenue in 2022

There is no shortage of opportunities when it comes to the ATM business. If one strategy doesn’t work, it doesn’t take much effort to try another! That’s the beauty of passive income. 

Unfortunately, we don’t have the perfect recipe for your success. It will require some trial and error. That’s because no two ATM businesses look the same. There are so many factors to consider, but that also means that there are many possibilities to explore. Find what works for you and your personal revenue goals this year.

Do Businesses Have to Accept Cash? The Payment Choice Act and Other Arguments in Favor of Cash

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Do businesses have to accept cash? Yes and no. While there is no federal law prohibiting businesses from going cashless, state mandates might. So, it depends on where you do business and what the situation is.

More and more businesses have been encouraging cashless payments since the onset of Covid-19 for health and safety reasons, speedier transaction times during the labor shortage, and combating the national coin shortage. However, the Payment Choice Act addresses the downside of businesses going cashless.

Although digital payments have their benefits, cash is still not going away any time soon. Businesses and consumers alike still have a number of reasons to prefer cash payments, or at least to want the option.

Why Cash is Good for Businesses

While it’s true that contactless and digital payments simplify the transaction process for businesses, there is no need to worry that they will take the place of cash exclusively. Not all businesses will transition to cashless. This is because cash still offers a number of benefits.

No Fees

First of all, there are no fees associated with cash transactions. Businesses are charged a percentage of all transactions they process via credit card networks. So you will frequently see businesses that are cash-only or that have an ATM on-site or nearby. These businesses want to encourage cash transactions because they save money on credit card processing fees that way. Not to mention the money they make from ATM surcharges.

Additionally, the more cash transactions businesses conduct, the fewer chargebacks they’ll have to deal with. Businesses face chargeback fees when consumers file a claim with their banks or credit card companies for services and products they purchase with their cards. In some cases, these transactions get reversed and those businesses lose the value of those sales and incur fees.

Cash allows businesses to pay their bills faster, especially small businesses. Cash payments are immediate. Long processing times associated with other payment forms could cause avoidable late fees.

Flexibility

Secondly, cash allows more flexibility when it comes to growth and expansion. If a company wants to acquire another, it might not be able to without the necessary cash. Furthermore, if a business has cash available, it is better able to take advantage of expansion opportunities that otherwise would not be possible without taking out loans. 

Emergencies

Cash is also important for emergency situations and unexpected expenses that aren’t already accounted for in a company’s budget. One of these emergency situations could be an economic downturn. The availability of cash improves a business’s flexibility and therefore its ability to survive.

Cash Flow

Finally, businesses need cash flow. For a company to survive, cash flow is the number one financial factor. High revenue and income do not guarantee cash flow. Without efficient financial operations, companies can experience negative cash flow.

Why Cash is Good for Consumers

Not only do consumers benefit from cash, but for some Americans, that is the only payment option available to them. Cash is universal. It is steady, stable, and secure. Fortunately, it’s here to stay.

Eighty-eight percent of consumers use cash at least sometimes. “There is this surprising resiliency of cash. It keeps hanging around,” says Shelle Santana, assistant professor at Harvard Business School. While contactless and electronic payment methods have their place, they can’t compete with the benefits of cash.

Universal

Cash is a universal payment form available to everyone regardless of income level or age. About 6% of Americans are unbanked and another 16% are underbanked. Ten percent of consumers reported using cash for all of their purchases. Businesses that are cashless exclude these populations. This is a concern the Payment Choice Act aims to solve. 

Convenient

Cash is convenient (especially when electronic processing systems fail). It’s quicker and easier to use cash for low-ticket items. Some businesses impose credit card minimums and/or pass their credit card processing fees onto their customers. This makes paying with cash cheaper as well.

According to a survey by a division of WSFS Bank, 39% of U.S. businesses have a cash-only policy for purchases under $20. Two in every five U.S. consumers (40%) prefer to use cash especially for tipping, ordering fast food, purchasing candy and snacks, buying coffee, and paying for gas. 

Cash allows people to exchange funds immediately. People can pay friends and family for favors and services using cash without having to wait for processing times or transfer issues. According to the 2018 Health of Cash Study sponsored by Cardtronics, 70% of people surveyed prefer using cash to pay money owed to family and friends while 65% prefer receiving cash when owed money.

Cash is also often used as monetary gifts for birthdays, special occasions, and especially children too young for bank accounts.

Safe

Cash is safe. Consumers who carry small amounts of cash aren’t at risk of losing much. Cards that access larger sums of money can get lost, stolen, or hacked.

Cash can be used at an early age to teach financial responsibility. It also helps over 61% of Americans stay within their budgets. Like businesses, consumers experience emergencies and unplanned events. Having a cash savings can be a lifesaver for those situations that are difficult to predict and budget for.

The Power of Choice

Obviously, card transactions, bank transfers, and other money transfer services take time to process and are often accompanied by fees. Debit card transactions can overdraw a bank account, credit cards charge interest and rack up debt, and both banks and credit card companies have their lists of various annual, setup, and/or service fees. This is part of the reason why a percentage of the population literally cannot afford to have a debit or credit card. 

But what’s more important than the value of each individual payment method is the freedom of choice. About 92% of consumers like having a variety of payment methods. More than 90% of households reported using more than one payment method, and the average consumer uses 3.6 payment methods each month.

The Payment Choice Act

The goal of the Payment Choice Act is to provide equality among Americans, allowing everyone to purchase goods and services without discrimination.

The bill stipulates that businesses not eliminate cash as a payment option. The bill would require that businesses accept cash payments for goods and services. The proposed bill prohibits businesses from posting signs that state that they don’t accept cash and from charging cash-paying customers more. 

Do Businesses Have to Accept Cash in Your Opinion?

In your opinion, do businesses have to accept cash? There is debate between the right of businesses to choose what payment methods to accept and the right of consumers to choose the payment method that best suits them. 

No matter which side you take, cash is here to stay. And so are ATMs. Although ATM withdrawals are declining in number, they are increasing in value. So the need for cash hasn’t changed; the demand is the same regardless. What has changed is consumers’ willingness to travel to an ATM. If you are in the ATM business or are interested in getting started, this is good news. This means that with more ATMs placed around the country, accessing cash becomes less of a hassle. And for a majority of the population, cash is still very relevant.

Why Cash is Still King - 2022 via ATMDepot.com