The Problem: Risky Credit Card Practices
Let’s face it: the way many law firms handle credit card information makes me nervous. I’ve seen too many firms write down credit card numbers on paper, save them as PDFs, or store them in other insecure ways. These methods create unnecessary risks that could lead to breaches of client trust and even compliance issues.
We all know how important it is to keep client data secure, and that includes payment information. Thankfully, Clio Payments has introduced a feature that solves many of these challenges and makes payment handling easier and safer for law firms.
A Safer, Streamlined Payment Process with Clio Payments
Let me walk you through Clio Payments’ new functionality and why it’s a game-changer for law firms:
Secure Storage of Credit Card Information
Clio Payments allows you to securely store clients’ credit card information within the platform. Unlike some systems where credit card numbers are accessible to your team, Clio encrypts and stores this information securely. You can’t see the card numbers, and neither can your team.
Simple Client-Payment Requests
Need to collect a client’s payment information? Clio Payments lets you send a secure link directly to the client, allowing them to input their credit card details themselves. This eliminates the need for storing sensitive information in insecure ways, like PDFs or written notes.
Seamless Payment Workflows
Once a credit card is stored in Clio, using it is a breeze. You can charge invoices directly from Clio without needing to jump between platforms or manually record payments. For example:
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- Navigate to a client’s contact in Clio.
- Under the Billing Information section, manage or add a payment method.
- Charge the stored credit card directly to pay invoices.
This streamlined workflow saves time and reduces the potential for errors.
A Bonus for Potential Clients
One of my favorite features is how Clio Payments works for prospective clients, not just existing ones. For instance:
- You can store payment information for a consultation fee before someone becomes a client.
- If the prospect later hires you, you don’t need to collect their payment details again. Their credit card is already stored securely in Clio, ready to use.
This is particularly helpful when combined with engagement letters. You can revise your engagement letter templates to include payment authorizations without needing to collect credit card numbers manually.
Why Clio Payments Stands Out
Previously, features like Card Vault from LawPay were a great step forward, allowing secure storage of credit card information. However, they didn’t integrate seamlessly with Clio’s practice management system. That meant additional manual steps, like charging the card in LawPay and then recording the payment in Clio.
Clio Payments eliminates this friction. By integrating payment processing directly into Clio, it’s now possible to manage client payment methods and process payments without leaving the platform. This saves time, reduces errors, and simplifies your workflow.
Conclusion: A Smarter Way to Handle Payments
Whether you’re managing payments for current clients or onboarding new ones, Clio Payments offers a secure, efficient solution that minimizes risk and improves your workflow.
If you’re looking for a payment system that keeps client data secure while saving your team time, I highly recommend checking out Clio Payments. If you have any questions about setting it up or optimizing your payment processes, feel free to reach out—we’d love to help!
Thanks for reading, and here’s to making your payment workflows easier and more secure!
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