Now that you know about the benefits of implementing Direct Payment, follow these simple steps to ensure your program is a successful one:

1. Contact Your Financial Institution

Most likely, the financial institution your company uses to process its paper payments will be able to help you set up a Direct Payment billing program. If your financial institution does not offer Direct Payment, check with other financial institutions in the area to see if they could help.

2. Determine Direct Payment Costs

Direct Payment offers companies reduced operating costs, and improved productivity and cash management capabilities. On average, companies can save up to 11.5 cents per payment due to reduced processing costs alone. Use our costs page to help you estimate the cost of Direct Payment and compare that with what it costs you to process payments by check.

3. Plan Your Direct Payment Program

The support of three key groups is essential to helping you meet the goals of your Direct Payment program: your internal staff, your customers and your financial institution. Use our Direct Payment Implementation Checklist to help guide your company through the planning process.

4. Promote Direct Payment

You can increase your Direct Payment participation rate substantially by promoting Direct Payment to new customers and conducting an annual promotion, so that your existing customer base can learn about the advantages of Direct Payment.

Many options are available to help you promote your Direct Payment program to your customers. Some suggestions include the following:

• Direct mail pieces
• Incentive programs - rewards for customers who pay via Direct Payment
• Newsletter articles - consider including customer testimonials
• Billing inserts

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