How Payment Processing Fees Affect Small Business Profit Margins
Payment processing fees may seem like a small cost per transaction, but over time they can significantly impact a small business’s profit margins. In 2026, as card usage continues to dominate in-store and online purchases, merchants are feeling increasing pressure from interchange fees, assessment fees, and processor markups. Understanding how these costs affect your bottom line, and how strategies like dual pricing can help, is essential for maintaining profitability.