A Guide to Choosing an Online Payment Gateway

With ecommerce at its peak, setting up a payment gateway is no longer a challenge. Most customers constantly transact online not only through credit and debit cards, but also through other modes such as net banking, and UPI and other payment methods. There are a lot of ecommerce solution providers that are available today that have simplified payments for customers. Here is a guide to help you choose the right platform for your business.

 

What is a Payment Gateway?

A payment gateway is software that acts as a channel between an ecommerce website and a customer’s preferred mode of payment such as a credit card, bank account or any online wallets. It is the simplest way for a business to collect payments online. Having an online payment gateway in Philippines or any other country makes it easier to accept different types of electronic payments. It provides an all-in-one solution eliminating the need for you having to set up any software or hardware, connections and security.

 

What are the Types of Payment Gateways? 

There are three main types of online payment gateways in Philippines or elsewhere in the world.

 

Redirects

Redirect is when the gateway takes the customer to a payment page to handle the complete transaction such as the processing and paying. It simplifies the process for the retailer and is an ideal method for a small business.

 

Checkout On-Site, Payment Off Site

In this method, the front-end checkout occurs on your site while the payment processing happens in the backend. However, you will not be able to control the user’s entire experience through this payment method.

 

On-Site Payment

Bigger businesses use on-site payments that are completely handled on their servers. The entire process such as the checkout and the payment processing are all work through your system.

 

How do You Choose a Secure Payment Gateway?

While choosing an online payment gateway in Philippines, here are a few questions you need to ask yourself.

 

What Kind of Payments Do Your Customers Use?

It is very important to know what kind of payment methods your customers already use. This would help you choose a payment type that you know they use reducing the security risks and other problems.

 

Does Your Payment Gateway Have a Fee?  

Sometimes there could be additional costs that you may have to pay apart from the initial costs such as monthly subscription fees, security costs etc. Make sure that you are aware of all the costs that you will encounter before choosing your payment provider.

 

Is the Encryption Secure?

An increased number of ecommerce solution providers could lead to an increase in frauds. Since these gateways deal with money, it is important that you have a PCI compliant payment gateway. It helps protect customer data and payment information. Using a payment gateway that is secure will also boost your confidence in the sophistication of the encrypting process.

 

How Reputed is the Gateway?

While choosing an online payment gateway in Philippines, make sure you choose a payment gateway that your customers trust. Although there are a lot of big brands out there, it is important to gain the trust of your customers. Focus on how secure your payment gateway is and encourage your customers to continue shopping in your website.

Do your research before choosing your payment gateway. You will find a wide variety of ecommerce service providers who will offer you different options. Choose one that you know will benefit your business and based on your business needs. While choosing your payment gateway, be sure to check the PCI compliance to ensure its security and also the per-transaction prices to know how it will impact your bottom line. All these would place you in a better position while choosing your payment gateway.