Finding the right payment processor for your business is one of the most important decisions you will make when launching your e-commerce store. But how do you know which processor is right for you?
In general, each payment processor offers a unique set of features, meaning business owners need to compare what each one offers, including fees, security, interface, and optimization.
When it comes to picking a payment processor, it can be difficult to decide which one would work best for your company. Read on for some helpful tip on choosing a payment processor and the top 5 processing systems for an e-commerce store.
What To Look in an E-Commerce Payment Processor
One of the most crucial things you must do is determine how you want your customers to pay for the items they purchase on your website.
Each payment processor provides a specific set of services, so businesses must assess what each one provides, including costs, security, interface, and optimization.
- Pay attention to fees. Payment processors all charge a fee for each transaction. It is a fixed rate that is deducted from each payment, regardless of whether the payment was successful. Payment processors often charge various fees based on a variety of criteria, such as the type of credit card your consumer uses and how the transaction is processed. Fees for items like cancellations, withdrawals, and bulk processing may apply.
- Prioritize security. Fraud is a major concern for all online retailers. Choose the most secure and dependable payment processor available. Look for a processor that sends payment information straight to the processor. This ensures compliance with the PCI Compliance security guidelines.
- Pay attention to payment transaction processing. There are three payment processing options: incorporate a payment form into your website, utilize a payment redirect, or use an Escrow system. All of these methods have advantages and pitfalls that may impact your sales.
- Test out the mobile gateway. Customers make purchases practically everywhere, utilizing their laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Select a processor that supports as many devices as possible, particularly a mobile version, so that your payment procedure is more accessible for your customers.
A few other items to keep an eye out for are reliable, 24/7 customer support, ease of signup, and software interface. You’ll also need to make sure that the payment processor you choose can integrate with your accounting software for easy bookkeeping.
The 5 Top Payment Processors for your E-Commerce Store
Our top five options for small company payment processors are shown below. In general, each provider offers a comparable range of features and transaction rates. This should make it easier to compare them so that you can choose the best payment processor for your business.
Stripe
Stripe’s ease of use is ideal for small businesses that are new to receiving payments online. From register through payment processing, every software interface is straightforward to use and well-organized. Their user-friendly account interface makes managing payments and generating data a breeze.
Average fees included with Stripe’s integrated system:
- Online transaction fees: 2.9% + 30 cents per successful charge
- International fees: 3.9% + 30 cents per successful charge
- No setup fees or monthly fees
- $15 charge per lost dispute transactions on issued cards. (Chargeback protection can be included at 0.4% per transaction)
Stripe allows Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Masterpass in addition to traditional credit and debit cards, as well as international payments. Stripe is also PCI compliant in terms of security.
Square
Square is one of the most widely recognized payment processors. It was originally founded to handle payments in person using its POS devices. They have since expanded their offerings to include payroll software, scheduling software, and online payment systems. Square’s enrollment process is very fast, and its software interfaces are simple to use.
Average fees included with square include:
- Online transaction fees: 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction
- No setup fees or monthly fees
- Zero chargeback costs
Square takes all major credit cards, Apple Pay, Android Pay, debit cards, gift cards, and prepaid cards. They can also deposit payments from your sales as soon as the following business day. In terms of security, Square adheres to PCI guidelines.
Authorize.Net
Whether online or in-store, Authorize.Net provides a wide range of options. Authorize.Net is best suited for established small businesses with payment processing experience who want to obtain lower prices. However, your company must be based in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, or Australia.
Average fees included with Authorize.Net’s All-in-One option:
- Online transaction fees: 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction
- No setup fees
- Monthly gateway fee: $25
Authorize.net accepts all major credit cards, debit cards, e-checks, and digital payment methods.
PayPal Checkout
By far, the most popular online payment processor is Paypal. PayPal Checkout is simple to incorporate into your online shop. The application procedure for a new account takes around two days and needs underwriting. However, once you’ve added PayPal Checkout to your site, they’ll maintain it up to date, so you won’t have to do anything more.
Average fees to expect when using PayPal:
- Online transaction fees: 2.9% + 30 cents per successful charge
- International fees: extra 1.5% on top of the transaction fee
- No setup fees or monthly fees (unless you upgrade to optimized checkout for $30 per month)
- $20 chargeback fee
- $15 dispute fee
PayPal Checkout enables a PayPal user to pay for services or items with a virtual wallet rather than a credit card. Funds are taken from the customer’s wallet and transferred to the wallet of your company. If you want to take credit cards through PayPal, you might also want to look into PayPal Braintree or PayPal Payments Pro.
Helcim
Helcim is one of the best payment processors for small businesses. Helcim provides a variety of payment tools and software solutions to help you be paid faster and more easily.
While many credit card processing providers charge fees to set up and run an online store, Helcim provides these services for free There are also no monthly fees. As a result, it may be a more appealing solution for small businesses on a limited budget.
Average fees included with Helcim include:
- Online transaction fees: 2.38% + 25 cents per transaction
- No setup fees or monthly fees
- $15 chargeback fee ($0 if you win the dispute)
Helcim accepts all major credit and debit cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Deposits will be credited to your bank account within two business days, depending on the time of day your transactions are finalized.
Final Thoughts
One of the most important things you must do is decide how you want your customers to pay for the items they purchase on your website. When it comes to selecting a payment processor, it can be difficult to decide which one would work best for your company. Hopefully, the following suggestions helped you narrow it down so you can quickly take payments on your e-commerce site.
