If you’re a growing company trying to increase your cash flow and optimize your clients’ payment processes, you should know that online payments through payment gateways are the way to go. Payment gateways not only make it simple for your consumers to pay you, but they also boost your cash flow by reflecting payments promptly on your end.
What is Payment Gateway Software?
Payment Gateway Software connects eCommerce websites to a bank or merchant account so that online payments may be processed and sensitive credit card information can be securely sent.
Depending on the vendor’s approach and the amount of security and compliance the organization must maintain, best payment gateway software can use one of three methods:
1. A form on the company’s website that is filled out and then transmitted through the payment channel.
2. The payment gateway is being redirected (on a separate website where the customer can fill out payment information)
3. A payment gateway vendor-powered form that captures data on the company’s website but links directly to the payment gateway.
Payment Gateway Features
The following significant basic and advanced functionalities are available from most Payment Gateway companies. The more advanced functions are usually only available for a price.
Basic Features and Capabilities
- Processes multiple types of credit and debit cards
- Processes ACH Payments and eChecks
- Secure payment processing
- Payment analytics and reporting
- Multi-currency
- Storage of customer information
- Third-party integrations
- PCI compliance
Advanced Features
- Recurring subscriptions and billing
- Recurring subscriptions and billing
- Fraud prevention
- Buyer authentication
- POS system
- Payment Gateway Software Comparison
Consider the following critical aspects before investing in a payment gateway solution and connecting it to your bank account:
Customer inclination
What is your clients’ favorite form of online payment? Do they usually pay using credit cards, Apple Pay, PayPay, or some other kind of online payment? Before you choose a new payment gateway provider, think about which mode of payment the majority of your clients will use.
Customer service
What kind of customer service does the payment gateway company provide? Do they, for example, reply to difficulties quickly? Are any bugs that you or your users encounter quickly resolved? Customer service ratings for some payment gateway providers are greater than for others. To see a product’s customer service rating on TrustRadius, go to the ‘product information’ tab.
Price model
What kind of pricing strategy does the product employ? Will it remain cost-effective as your internet business expands, or will the fee percentages rise in tandem with your revenue? If you want to build your business quickly, choose a product that won’t penalize you if your revenue grows quickly.
Card types that are permitted
Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are the most widely used credit cards. Most payment gateways accept all of these card kinds. If your consumers frequently pay you with a different sort of card, such as a debit card or a Diners Club card, ensure sure your payment gateways handle that card.
Keeping track of time
Despite the fact that payments are normally authorized practically instantly, the funds are kept for a few days before being sent to your account. This enables the processing of refunds and charge-backs. Depending on the payment service provider, these holding periods can range from 1 to 7 days. Depending on your cash flow, you can choose to wait or be paid right away.
Security
Because you’re holding sensitive financial information when accepting payments online, the security of your payment gateway should be a top consideration. It’s important to remember that different payment gateways have varying security standards. Make sure the gateway you chose is PCI DSS level-1 compliant.
Conclusion
Collecting customer payments is simple and painless when you use the correct payment gateway. Finding a payment gateway that checks all of the boxes, on the other hand, take a little more effort. You’ll want to make sure it meets your company’s demands, is available in your area, allows you to accept payments, and is reasonably priced.
To assist you in selecting the best payment gateway software, we’ve gathered and compared a number of prominent payment gateways that address all of these concerns, so you have a number of options to choose from when it comes to receiving payments.
