eCommerce Payment Gateways: What Are the Options?

Payment gateways allow retail merchants to take card payments online and in-store. They provide customers with a reliable and secure way to make transactions while adding another sales channel to your business.

The problem is, there are many options when it comes to payment gateways – how do you choose the right one for your ecommerce business?

We take a look at some of the most popular payment technologies around, assessing the pros and cons of each so you can make the right choice for your online store.

PayPal

Possibly the most well-known payment processor thanks to eBay, PayPal is globally trusted with over 220 million users worldwide. PayPal provides a simple solution for a reliable and robust service, allowing businesses of all sizes to make purchases online, in person and over the phone.

With expert fraud detection technology and seller protection, your customers and your business will be secure, while built-in reporting and analytics provides a clear overview of your sales performance and opportunities.

Pros

• Easy setup and cart integration
• Reliable and robust
• Security features
• Accepts credit cards
• Allows customisation
• No monthly fees

Cons

• 2.9% card processing fee per transaction – high if low sales
• Basic plan is, well, basic

Stripe

A payment platform with developers in mind, Stripe is designed for large online businesses who want more flexibility and a feature-rich payment gateway. With billions of pounds passing through each year, Stripe is a robust option used and trusted by huge brands. With a range of tools that allow businesses to customise their payment processes, Stripe also supports more than 100 currencies, mobile payments and one-click checkout. It’s a great option for larger businesses that can enlist the skills of developers to create their own customised payment system or utilise the plethora of built-in APIs.

Pros

• Feature-rich
• Customisable options
• Trusted by huge brands
• Live sales reporting
• Mobile payments
• Clear pricing

Cons

• Need to be tech-savvy to integrate
• Up to 7-day settlement delay
• Not an out-of-the-box option

Worldpay

With over 100 currencies accepted, including major debit and credit cards, Worldpay is the UK’s most popular payment processing company. An easy setup and a flexible API makes it a great choice for businesses of all sizes.

It offers flexible pricing with pay as you go and fixed monthly payment options, while Worldpay is also known for a comprehensive fraud screening so you know you and your customers are in safe hands.

Pros

• Flexible payments and pricing
• 24/7 support
• Payment links – great for smaller businesses who don’t have an online store
• Integrates with wide range of ecommerce platforms

Cons

• Variable transaction fee
• Not an end-to-end ecommerce solution
• Busy company so customer service not always on point

Amazon Pay

Small businesses can ride on the back of the Amazon name by integrating Amazon Pay. We all know how easy the Amazon checkout is to use and Amazon Pay mimics that by using your customers’ details from their Amazon accounts to make purchases on your site.

As a trusted, well-known brand with excellent fraud detection technology, Amazon Pay is a great option for those that want an easy-to-use payment processor with built-in ecommerce tools.

Pros

• Instantly recognisable
• Fast checkout
• Verified customers

Cons

• Must have an Amazon account
• Paypal not accepted
• High fees for low sales

Sage Pay

A complete end-to-end payments solution, Sage Pay is a reliable and trusted payment gateway. With comprehensive security measures in place and fair rates for processing transactions, it’s clear to see why it’s also a leading choice for many businesses.

With a customisable checkout that means you can tailor its look and feel to match your brand and website, Sage Pay can be used for in-store sales too, so you are able to keep all of your data in one place.

Pros

• Customisable checkout
• Clear pricing
• Trusted brand
• End-to-end solution

Cons

• Support calls are costly
• Need tech know-how to use most features

Which Payment Gateway Is Right for My Business?

Well, it really depends on what you are looking for. If you just want something quick and easy to set up, then you might want to consider the likes of Paypal or Worldpay. If you want a full end-to-end solution or something you can customise to suit the needs of your business, Stripe and Sage Pay are great options.

The best thing to do is to talk it through with your ecommerce agency and find out what solution will best fit into your current tech stack.

It’s also worth noting that while this isn’t the entire list of payment gateways available, they are extremely popular and used by major businesses around the world. There still might be another option that suits your business more.

Our team can talk you through all the options available to you and help you find the right payments solution. Get in touch by calling 0121 369 5874 or email success@5874commerce.com.