There are so many options available that deciding on an online payment method might be difficult. You could be wondering what a merchant account is, which ecommerce payment gateway is best, or whether you should provide Google Wallet or PayPal Express as alternate checkout alternatives to your clients.

As you move forward, there’s one more thing to think about: how will you finish your ecommerce web design development so you can accept payments online?

Congratulations if you’re in the process of setting up an internet store. You’re undoubtedly obsessed with your website’s design, feel, and messaging, as well as how you’ll present your products and services.

Popular Payment Gateways

Now that we’ve covered some of the most important characteristics to look for in a payment gateway, let’s take a closer look at a few of the best payment processing solutions available, as recommended by an ecommerce SEO company:

2Checkout

2Checkout is all about collecting payments from all over the world, with 15 languages and 87 currencies available to choose from during the checkout process. Payments from clients outside the United States, however, are subject to a 1% fee, as well as a currency translation cost. You have the choice of keeping clients on-site during checkout or completing the process on 2Checkout’s site using 2Checkout. It accepts all major debit/credit cards as well as PayPal and allows recurring billing. Customers can also open a merchant account with 2Checkout.

BlueSnap

Customers can get a merchant account and a platform from BlueSnap that allows them to make “frictionless” payments in 180 countries, 100 currencies, and 29 languages. It allows invoice payments, phone and email orders, subscription billing, and multi-vendor business models in addition to typical web checkout.

Stripe

Stripe has grown in popularity as a result of its ability to provide on-site checkout without the monthly costs associated with Authorize.net or PayPal. Stripe also accepts all major debit and credit cards and can handle recurring payments. Stripe, on the other hand, is known for being more difficult to set up if you have no prior coding skills. Stripe, like PayPal, offers consumers a merchant account.

Authorize.net

Authorize.net has been around for quite some time (since 1994). It isn’t the cheapest choice and doesn’t include a merchant account, but it has a lot of features and is well-known in the industry. It has an on-site checkout option as well as recurring billing. In addition to accepting all major debit and credit cards, Authorize.net also offers clients the option of paying using PayPal or Apple Pay.

PayPal

PayPal is one of the most extensively used payment gateways, and it’s a favorite of the clients we work with at Vital. PayPal Payments Pro has no startup costs and also includes a merchant account, so you’ll have one less thing to worry about. (Alternatively, if you already have one, you can utilize it.) It accepts all major debit and credit cards and offers recurring billing and on-site checkout.

What To Look For in Payment Gateway

Security

When it comes to processing transactions, security is obviously a major consideration. Payment processors will all claim that their security is unrivalled. So, how do you know if the solution you’re considering is stable and secure? Look for a Level 1 PCI DSS compliant payment gateway. Additionally, inquire about the provider’s CVV2 verification and encryption standards.

Recurring Billing

It allows you to set up a payment that will recur over a given length of time (monthly, annually, etc.). Not all businesses will need to worry about this, but if you plan to provide subscriptions or have another reason to accept recurring payments (such as repeat donations), you’ll want to be sure your payment gateway can handle it.

Hosted or Not?

A hosted payment gateway is one that takes a customer away from your site for the purpose of processing their payment. PayPal’s Payments Standard option is a fantastic illustration of this, as it directs the customer to PayPal to finish their transaction. A non-hosted (or “on-site”) gateway, on the other hand, is one that is integrated directly into your site, preventing your customers from leaving during the checkout process.

Fees and Costs & Cards Accepted

It’s also crucial to understand which credit and debit cards your payment gateway accepts. Some payment gateways allow a wider range of card kinds than others. You should also think about what other forms of payment methods the payment gateway you chose accepts. Many of your customers will most likely pay with a credit or debit card, but some will expect to see other options, such as PayPal Express Checkout, Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and Visa Checkout.

The pricing structure of each payment gateway might vary, making it difficult to determine which is the most cost-effective for your company. Some gateways, for example, will charge an initial enrollment fee, while others will not. Some companies charge a monthly fee and a reduced per-transaction price, while others do not charge a monthly fee but charge a larger per-transaction fee. Before committing, it’s critical to understand how the fees break down with the payment gateway you choose.