Hello SN,
As some of you may already know, @OPAGO_PAY offers a quick, easy, and secure non-custodial way for merchants to accept Bitcoin via the Lightning Network. Our primary idea was to create a service that allows merchants, who might start their day at 6 AM at the wholesale market and close their shop at 10 PM, to accept Bitcoin without the need to run a node if they don't want to. However, they do have the option to run a node if they prefer and have the time. We believe the barrier for merchants to accept Bitcoin should be as low as possible! Therefore, we have a very transparent pricing model to show that traditional payment methods like credit cards often come with hidden costs and binding contracts.
In general, we have noticed that merchants naturally have concerns in their daily operations and are increasingly confronted with inflation and rising costs. Therefore, discussing the growing adoption of Bitcoin and the potential to attract new, young, and tech-savvy customers is certainly a good approach. For many merchants, implementing Bitcoin payments is still seen as a marketing gimmick. However, there are already industries that have adopted Bitcoin payment solutions due to customer demand, particularly from those who value privacy.
It's worthwhile to highlight additional benefits of Bitcoin Lightning in conversations with merchants, such as instant payments and no charge-backs. Furthermore, persistence is key; it typically takes about 3-4 discussions over a period of 1-2 months to fully convince a merchant. Generally, it might also make sense to start with the low-hanging fruits and use those references to attract new merchants. If a merchant has doubts, it makes sense to bring it up again during the next visit and have the corresponding arguments ready.
If you are considering orange-pilling merchants in your area, we recommend checking out @DarthCoin's guide on Substack. Every new merchant that accepts Bitcoin is beneficial for the Bitcoin ecosystem and helps its spread. Just as stagnant water leads to Legionella, money (Bitcoin) loses its potential if it's not circulated. If you're interested in working with us to orange-pill merchants in your area, please reach out.