Introduction to payment gateways

As you prepare to launch your online store, one of the most critical choices you'll need to make is selecting the right payment gateway. Your payment gateway will handle the task of processing payments from your customers, making it essential to choose a provider that's not only secure but also convenient.

If you're a retailer who wants to sell things online, you'll need to know about how payments work. This guide explains what you need to know about payment gateways, payment processors, and payment providers. By the end of this guide, you'll understand the most important things to consider when choosing a payment system for your Shoplazza store.

 

Things to consider when choosing a payment gateway

• Ease of integration

You can choose from various payment gateway integration options, such as hosted, self-hosted, and API or non-hosted. Your decision should be based on factors such as ease of implementation and the desired level of control over your payment infrastructure.

• Flexibility

It's essential for your payment gateway to not only cater to your target audience's preferred payment methods and currencies but also be adaptable enough to accommodate the addition or removal of such options. This approach ensures that you won't have to switch payment gateway providers as your business expands and pay unnecessarily for methods you no longer require.

• Security

Payment gateways are the main fighters against payment fraud. The best online payment gateways will possess SSL certificates, be Level 1 PCI-compliant, and implement the latest data protection practices to keep you and your customers safe. Most payment gateway providers have a dedicated page or section on their website that outlines their security practices and measures. This page may provide detailed information about their security infrastructure, data encryption methods, and compliance with industry standards. Security is a critical aspect of payment processing, and it is essential to conduct thorough due diligence when selecting a payment provider. By researching, reviewing certifications, assessing security features, and seeking information from trusted sources, you can make a more informed decision about the security level of the payment provider you are choosing

• Pricing

Pricing can be a sticking point for many small businesses and start-ups. In addition to the standard monthly and per-transaction fees, factors such as geographic coverage, multi-currency, recurrent billing, and additional tools can affect the price of a payment gateway. However, don't get discouraged — there are cost-effective solutions for any business.

• Customer Support

When selecting a payment gateway, it's important to consider the quality and availability of customer support provided by the gateway provider. Customer support plays a vital role in ensuring smooth transactions and resolving any issues or concerns that may arise during payment processing. Look for a payment gateway that offers responsive customer support, preferably 24/7, to address any issues or concerns that may arise.

What is a payment gateway?

Before your online store goes live, you will need a way to accept payments from customers who buy your products or services. That's where a payment gateway comes in. It's a software system that connects your online store to the payment processor, which handles the actual transaction and moves the money from your customer's bank account to your bank account.

When a customer makes a purchase on your website, they enter their payment information into a form on your site. The payment gateway securely sends that information to the payment processor, which verifies the funds and processes the payment. Once the payment is complete, the processor sends a confirmation back through the gateway to your online store, letting you know the transaction was successful. This back-and-forth process all takes place typically within 1 to 2 seconds.

In summary, a payment gateway is an essential tool for any online merchant. It enables you to accept payments from customers quickly and securely, ensuring that your store runs smoothly and efficiently.

How do payment gateways work?

If you're considering setting up a Shoplazza store, you'll need a way to accept payments from customers. That's where payment gateways come in. They work by securely transmitting payment information between your online store and the payment processor, allowing for the processing of transactions in real-time.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how payment gateways typically work:

• A customer initiates a purchase on your online store by adding items to their cart and proceeding to checkout.
• At checkout, the customer enters their payment information, such as credit card details, into a form on your online store's website.
• Your store sends the payment information securely to the payment gateway, which encrypts the information to ensure its security during transmission.
• The payment gateway sends the encrypted payment information to the payment processor, which verifies that the customer has sufficient funds to complete the transaction and confirms the transaction with the customer's financial institution.
• If the transaction is approved, the payment processor sends a confirmation back through the payment gateway to your store, which then completes the order and sends the customer a receipt (confirmation email).

Payment gateways are essential for any online merchant, as they provide a secure and reliable way to process online payments and protect sensitive payment information from potential fraud or theft. Payment gateways typically charge a fee for their services, which can vary depending on the gateway and your agreement with them.

How does a payment gateway work with a payment provider?

When you want to accept payments online, you need to work with a payment provider. They help you process payments securely and efficiently.

How this process works is that the payment provider connects your store to a payment gateway. This gateway is like a virtual cashier that collects your customers' payment information, like their credit card details. It sends this information over to the payment provider for verification and approval.

Once the payment is approved, the payment gateway sends a message back to your store, letting you know that the transaction was successful. The payment provider then sends the money to your account, minus any fees.

The payment gateway and payment provider collaborate together to enable your customers to make secure and prompt online payments to you. This ensures a seamless payment experience for your customers while guaranteeing that you receive payments safely and efficiently.

Depending on the payment provider, these online payment types might include:

• Credit cards
• Debit cards
• Prepaid cards
• Amazon Pay
• PayPal
• Stripe

In summary, a payment gateway acts as a secure bridge between your store and the payment processor, while a payment provider offers a range of payment services to businesses, including payment gateway services, to help them process payments efficiently and securely.

 

Understanding the steps involved in processing ecommerce payments

If you're new to ecommerce, you may have heard the terms "payment gateway" and "payment processor" used interchangeably. While each one plays a vital role in managing online transactions, the distinction can be a bit confusing. Learn more about a payment gateway versus a payment processor to discover which one you need for your business.

You might already be familiar with payment gateways and payment processors. However, there is another term that is crucial to understand: "merchant account."

A merchant account is a type of bank account that enables your business to receive payments via credit and debit cards. When a customer makes a purchase using their card, the funds are first transferred to the merchant account before being deposited into your main bank account. It is typically set up through a payment processor or acquiring bank, and fees are charged for each transaction processed through the account.

Having a merchant account is essential for accepting online payments and can greatly simplify the payment process for your store. It provides a secure way to accept card payments and ensures that your funds are properly processed and deposited.

Payment Gateway vs. Payment Processor: At a Glance

A payment gateway collects and verifies a customer’s credit card information and is crucial for online payments. It ensures all the details are correct so the sale can be transmitted to the payment processor.

A payment processor is the service responsible for communicating between the merchant (yourself), credit card company and banks. It manages the transfer of funds so you get paid for your sale.

Without a payment gateway, you wouldn’t be able to verify credit card information while completing online sales. But payment processors play an equally vital role; without them, you couldn’t request and receive payment from the customer’s account.

1. Payment gateway

A payment gateway is like a bridge that connects your customer's payment information to your bank account. It allows customers to securely enter their payment details when making an online purchase, and then transmits that information to your bank account for processing. Think of it as a delivery service that ensures the payment gets to the right place safely and securely.

2. Payment processor

After the payment gateway receives payment information from a customer, it forwards the information to the payment processor. The payment processor then verifies that the customer has enough funds to complete the transaction and transfers the money from the customer's account to your bank account. In other words, the payment processor confirms the payment details and facilitates the transfer of funds between you (the merchant) and the customer.

3. Merchant account

A merchant account is a specific type of bank account that enables businesses to accept and process electronic payments made with credit or debit cards. For any online business to receive digital payments, it is necessary to have a merchant account.

Transaction fees may differ for each merchant account, depending on the terms and conditions set by the merchant-acquiring banks and businesses. A detailed merchant account agreement outlines all the specifics of the partnership between the merchant and the acquiring bank, including all the relevant terms and conditions that apply to the account.

These terms include:

• The per-transaction costs the bank will charge
• Established fee structures with the network of card processors
• Monthly or annual fees the bank charges

Is the payment gateway PCI DSS compliant?

When your customers provide their card information on your Shoplazza store, it's important to ensure that their data is secure throughout the payment process. To achieve this, you need to select a payment gateway that prioritizes the safety of your customers' data.

One way to ensure this is to choose a payment gateway that is compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). PCI DSS is a security protocol issued by the five major payment card companies to protect cardholder data and minimize data breaches.

If you want to accept card payments in your online store, it's important to verify that the payment processor you select complies with the PCI DSS. This will not only help safeguard your customers' information but also protect your business from potential legal and financial liabilities.

To find out if a payment gateway is PCI DSS compliant, you can visit the PCI Security Standards Council's website. They provide a list of assessors and solutions that are compliant with PCI DSS, including payment software. You can access this list by visiting the following link:PCI Security Standards Council - Payment Software List  

On the PCI Security Standards Council's website, you can use the search bar located at the top of the page to find a specific payment gateway. Simply enter the name of the payment gateway or any relevant keywords in the search bar, and the website will provide you with the relevant results. This allows you to easily search for the payment gateway you are interested in and verify its PCI DSS compliance.

 

Choosing a Payment Gateway with Fraud Prevention

Small businesses are often at a higher risk of fraud attacks compared to larger corporations, as big companies typically implement several anti-fraud measures. Fraudsters may therefore target small businesses that have weaker security protocols in place.

Fortunately, certain payment gateways come equipped with integrated fraud prevention and detection capabilities, providing an added layer of protection against fraudulent transactions.

When selecting a payment gateway, it's essential to identify effective anti-fraud methods, including:

3-D Secure (3DS)

3D Secure is an additional layer of authentication for online payments. It employs a method known as Payer Authentication, also called Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode, to enhance the security of online transactions for customers. This authentication process enables cardholders to create a unique PIN to verify their identity during checkout.

Card Verification Value (CVV)

The Card Verification Value Code (CVV) is a three or four-digit code printed on every credit card. As it's only visible on physical cards, the cardholder must possess the card to complete an online purchase. This security measure is designed to prevent credit card and identity fraud. Even if someone has access to a card number and correct billing address, they cannot make a virtual purchase without the CVV, providing an extra layer of protection against fraudulent transactions.

Implementing 3D Secure not only provides added security to the payment process but also offers benefits to merchants, such as protection against chargebacks and lower interchange rates. Interchange rates are the fees paid between banks for processing card-based transactions. More on this below

Address Verification Service (AVS)

During the purchase process, customers are required to provide their billing address and ZIP / Postal code. An Address Verification Service (AVS) is then utilized to compare this information with the address on file with the card-issuing bank. This security measure is employed as part of a card-not-present (CNP) transaction, allowing the payment gateway to confirm the authenticity of the transaction with the issuing bank.

Flagging large transactions

In cases of credit card theft, fraudsters may attempt to make large transactions before the card is reported stolen. To prevent such fraudulent transactions, certain payment gateways are designed to identify high-value transactions and flag them for manual approval by the merchant before proceeding.

Risk Scoring

Risk scores employ statistical models designed to identify potential fraudulent transactions based on specific rules. During checkout, the model evaluates the transaction and assigns a probability score for the likelihood of fraud. If the probability of fraud is high, the transaction will be flagged for further verification.

Risk scoring tools provide a customized evaluation for each transaction, flagging those that violate your specified rules. These rules may include a failed address verification test, unusual IP addresses, the use of anonymous emails, and other suspicious activities.

To ensure the security of your Shoplazza store and protect against fraudulent transactions, it's quite important to choose a payment gateway that implements 3D Secure and adheres to the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS compliant).

 

What is Interchange and why is it important?

What is interchange?

• Credit Cards

When a credit card transaction is processed, the credit card processor retains a percentage of the transaction as their service fee, known as the discount rate. However, what is often not considered is that the processor also incurs a fee from Visa or MasterCard for processing the transaction. The fees collected from the discount rate are not solely retained by the processor, as a significant portion goes to Visa and MasterCard, which is then passed on to the card issuing bank.

The fee that Visa and MasterCard charge the processor every time a credit card transaction is processed is known as the interchange rate. The interchange rate varies based on several factors, such as the type of credit card used and the location of the cardholder. Visa and MasterCard charge the same interchange fee structure to all processors in Canada, ensuring a level playing field in the credit card payments industry.

For example, let's say a customer makes a $100 purchase using their credit card at a store. The store's credit card processor charges a 2.5% discount rate on each transaction. This means that the processor will retain $2.50 (2.5% of $100) as their service fee.

However, what may not be immediately apparent is that the processor also incurs an interchange fee from Visa or MasterCard for processing this transaction. Let's say that the interchange rate for this specific transaction is 1.8%. This means that the processor must pay Visa or MasterCard $1.80 (1.8% of $100) for processing this transaction.

Therefore, out of the $2.50 discount rate fee collected by the processor, $1.80 goes to Visa or MasterCard, and the remaining $0.70 is retained by the processor as their fee. This interchange fee ensures that Visa and MasterCard receive compensation for their role in processing credit card transactions, and is a necessary component of the credit card payments industry.

The term "Interchange" refers to the true cost that Visa or MasterCard charges the processor for processing a credit card transaction. Although the concept of interchange can be complex, understanding that it represents the actual cost to the processor is crucial.

• Debit Cards

Interchange fees for debit cards, such as those issued by Visa and Mastercard, are fees charged between the banks and payment processors for processing debit card transactions.  These fees are important in the payment ecosystem and have an impact on the overall economics of card payments.

When a customer uses a debit card to make a purchase, the transaction flows through various entities involved in the process, including the cardholder's bank, the merchants bank and the payment network.

The interchange fee is a fee paid by the merchant's bank (the acquiring bank) to the cardholder's bank (the issuing bank) for processing the transaction.  It compensates the issuing bank for maintaining the debit card system, managing the cardhold's account, and assuming transaction risk.

Interchange fees are typically a percentage of the transaction amount, plus a fixed fee.  The specific fee structure depends on factors like the type of card, the transaction type, and the associated risk level.

For example, a consumer debit card used in a cart-present transaction (at a physical retail store) might have an interchange fee of around 1% of the transaction amount plus a fixed fee, such as $0.15.  That means, a $100 purchase could incur an interchange fee of approximately $1.15.

In contrast, a consumer debit card used in a card-not-present transaction (like on your Shoplazza store) might have an interchange fee of around 1.5% of the transaction amount plus a fixed fee, such as $0.20.  For a $50 purchase online, the interchange fee might be approximately $0.95.

Business debit cards generally have higher interchange fees compared to consumer debit cards. For instance, a business debit card used in a card-present transaction might have an interchange fee of around 2% of the transaction amount plus a fixed fee, such as $0.25.  This making a $200 purchase incur an interchange fee of approximately $4.25.

It's important to note that these examples are for illustrative purposes only, and actual interchange fees can vary based on country, payment network, card program, and other factors.  The specific terms and conditions provided by your card issuer or acquirer will have accurate information regarding interchange fees.

Why is Interchange Important?

In an ideal world, understanding merchant account pricing would be simple and transparent. However, there are external factors that can affect pricing which are beyond the control of the processor.

As a result of Visa and MasterCard charging varying interchange rates for different types of credit cards, it's essential to have a basic understanding of interchange in order to fully comprehend merchant industry pricing. This is because, when reviewing multiple quotes to determine the best option, without knowledge of what can cause the interchange rate to increase, you may not recognize when additional fees may be incurred. As a consequence, you may overlook markups or other pricing strategies that some less reputable processors might include in their quotes. A good understanding of interchange will empower you with the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision when selecting your processor.

How does interchange work?

The key point to understand is that interchange rates are subject to change. If a premium card, such as an airmiles card, or any other card with a special benefit for the cardholder is used for payment, the interchange rate will increase. Additionally, using a corporate credit card or a foreign credit card (issued by a non-Canadian bank) will also result in an increase in the interchange rate.

In addition, there are other factors that can cause the interchange rate to fluctuate. For instance, transactions in which the card is physically presented, such as at a store's cash register, qualify for a lower interchange rate compared to transactions where the card is not physically present, such as in e-commerce transactions.

Please note that Visa and MasterCard adjust their interchange rates periodically (usually twice per year).

Interchange Rates in Canada Official Links

• Credit Card Processing Fees & Interchange Rates | Visa 
• Interchange rates & fees | Mastercard 

Interchange Rates in USA Official Links

• Credit Card Processing Fees & Interchange Rates | Visa  
• Interchange Fees & Rates | Mastercard 

 

Know what your payment gateway can support

Offering a variety of payment options at checkout can increase customer trust and reduce cart abandonment. In addition to traditional credit and debit cards, consider a payment gateway that supports modern options like digital wallets and one-click payments. You may also want to look for features such as Buy Now, Pay Later or recurring payments to gain a competitive edge and better serve your customers' needs.

 

Payout terms and schedules

Because the payment gateway you choose can have a significant impact on your business, it's important to carefully consider your options. One key factor to evaluate is the payout terms and schedules offered by different gateways. Depending on the gateway, it may take several business days for payments to be deposited into your bank account, so it's important to choose a gateway with flexible and fast payout terms that align with your business needs. To stay ahead of the competition and meet customer demands, opt for a payment gateway that offers additional features like Buy Now, Pay Later or recurring payments. These features can improve the overall shopping experience and provide flexibility for customers in managing their payments..

 

Costs to Consider When Using Payment Processors

While payment processors offer convenience and security among other perks, they also come at a cost. Each player in the payment chain — banks, credit card companies, and the payment processor takes their cut. Here are some of the transaction fees to look out for.

• Interchange Fee: These are fees paid to the card issuer (Chase, TD Bank, Bank of America, etc.) The card issuer gets paid by getting a percentage of each sale.
• Assessment Fee: These fees are paid to credit card associations (Visa, Mastercard, Amex).
• Acquirer or processor Fee: These are fees paid to the processor (PayPal, Square, Stripe).
• Merchant Fee: This is a fee paid to your merchant bank. The percentage charged will depend on the volume of transactions, the number of sales, and the industry.

The interchange, assessment, and merchant fees are bundled together and quoted as one percentage. The Processor fee is quoted separately. For example, your transaction fees could be 3% total with a $0.20 processor fee per transaction. This will be good to keep in mind when considering what pricing structure to go with, which we’ll explore in the next section.

 

Payment Processing Pricing Structure

Another factor to consider is pricing structure, which will vary from one processor to another. This structure typically falls within the three categories below:

1. Interchange Plus

You have different payment processing options available to you, each with its own pricing structure. One option is Interchange Plus pricing, where you pay an additional fee in addition to the interchange rate. For instance, if the interchange rate is 3%, you would also pay $0.25 per transaction. While this pricing model can be more cost-effective than others, costs can vary significantly from one transaction to the next due to the hundreds of possible interchange rates.

2. Flat-Rate

Another option is a Flat-Rate pricing model, where all transactions processed through a specific payment method are charged a fixed percentage rate, regardless of the interchange rate. For instance, a merchant might pay a rate of 2% plus $0.20 for in-person purchases and 2.5% plus $0.25 for online purchases. This pricing model offers predictable costs for each transaction, but if you have a high volume of sales, costs may be higher than if you used an Interchange Plus pricing model.

3. Tiered

Last but not least, there's the Tiered pricing model, which combines elements of flat-rate and interchange plus models. In this pricing model, interchange rates are grouped into tiers or buckets, and a processor assigns a cost to each tier.  For instance, on a $75 purchase, the fees could range from $2 to $3, depending on the tier in which the transaction falls. While this pricing structure makes it easier to understand costs and makes them more predictable, the processor sets the tiers, which can lead to higher overall costs than other payment processing options.  Assess your business needs, transaction volume, and budget to determine the most suitable pricing structure and payment processor for your business. Consider the balance between cost-effectiveness, predictability, and the specific needs of your business operations.

4. incidental fees

Don’t forget about incidental fees, or additional costs your merchant service provider may charge you. Here are some to keep in mind:

• Account setup fees
• Recurring charges for your merchant account, like an annual or monthly fee
• Minimum processing fee if you don’t meet a specified volume of transactions
• Chargeback fees if a customer disputes the charge and wins
• Payment card industry (PCI) compliance fee
• Statement fees
• Batch fees for settling many transactions at once
• Cancellation or termination fees if you cancel the service before your contract is up
• Non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee when your bank account doesn’t have the funds to cover a transaction

 

Rates and approval requirements

Payment processors vary in their ability to support different types of businesses. Every time a transaction is processed, payment processors face potential losses due to fraud or unfulfilled purchases, and may be responsible for reimbursing customers under certain circumstances. This represents the risk side of the equation for payment processors.

Payment processors that work with high-risk merchants charge higher processing fees to cover potential losses, while those that work with low-risk retail merchants tend to charge lower fees. Additionally, some payment processors may offer lower rates to specific types of businesses based on their perceived level of risk. However, the specifics of this arrangement can vary and are not always publicly disclosed.

Getting lower rates

To qualify for lower payment processing rates, it is important to demonstrate to your payment processor that your business poses a low risk of chargebacks or fraud. Chargebacks occur when a customer disputes a transaction with a merchant. To be viewed as a low-risk merchant, you should create a plan that outlines measures to minimize chargeback risk or other types of fraud. It is crucial to communicate this plan to your payment processor to show that you are taking proactive steps to mitigate risk.

Your plan should include safeguards that protect both your business and the payment processor, such as using 3D Secure or requiring video calls and picture IDs for high-value transactions. Once your payment processor is satisfied with your plan, this can help you negotiate lower processing rates.

Negotiating lower rates through contract terms

To secure lower payment processing rates, you may be offered the option to commit to a longer contract term with your processor. While many processors offer locked-in contracts, reputable ones should give you a choice.

When considering payment processing options, it can be beneficial to thoroughly evaluate the platform before committing to a long-term agreement. This can help ensure that the processor is the right fit for your business needs and that you will receive the best value for your money.

It's important to inquire about the length of the contract term and any associated fees when seeking quotes from payment processors. If they offer a multi-year contract, it may be worth asking if they offer a shorter, month-to-month option. Additionally, after using the processor for several months, you can consider negotiating a longer contract term in exchange for a lower rate.

By taking the time to evaluate payment processors and negotiating contract terms, you can find a solution that meets your business needs and provides the best value for your money. Remember to communicate your needs and concerns with the processor and be open to discussing different options.

 

Can I use multiple payment processors at the same time?

As a merchant using the Shoplazza platform, you have the advantage of expanding your payment options beyond just traditional credit cards. Shoplazza supports multiple payment gateways, allowing you to integrate alternative payment methods into your online store. By offering popular options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal, you can cater to a broader range of customers who prefer these alternative methods. This flexibility enhances the convenience and accessibility of your store, potentially leading to increased conversions and customer satisfaction.

With Shoplazza's support for alternative payment gateways, you can confidently provide a seamless and user-friendly checkout experience for your customers, ultimately boosting your business's success in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

However, it's worth noting that if there is a specific payment provider that you prefer or if you want to integrate a payment method that is not currently supported on our platform, you can use our OpenAPI integration. This allows payment providers to develop an app specifically for integration with their platform.

If you wish to explore integrating a payment provider that is not currently supported on Shoplazza, you can contact the support team of that payment provider and request to have them build an app for Shoplazza's platform. They can refer to the following link for more information on Shoplazza's OpenAPI: Shoplazza's OpenAPI Information Guide.

By leveraging the OpenAPI feature, you can potentially integrate your preferred payment provider or payment method, expanding your options even further. Having this flexibility provides more convenience and accessibility of your online store, which can lead to increased conversions and customer satisfaction..

 

Key takeaways on payment gateways and providers

When selecting a payment gateway for your ecommerce business, there are several factors to keep in mind to make the right choice. Here are some important tips to remember:

• Review customer support structure: Consider the provider's approach to handling payment issues. You may find it helpful to read reviews from other business owners on websites like TechRadar or TrustPilot to gain insights into their personal experiences with the provider.
• PCI DSS Compliance: Choose a payment gateway that is PCI DSS compliant to ensure the secure handling of payment card data.
• Fraud Prevention: Check if the payment gateway is integrated with 3-D Secure and other fraud prevention policies to ensure secure transactions.
• Availability: Confirm that the payment gateway is available in your country and supports the currencies and countries of your customers.
• Fees: Review the fees associated with the payment gateway, including any hidden charges.
• Look for transparent pricing: For small businesses, a flat rate is usually the best option, while tiered and interchange plus models are more suitable for businesses with higher sales volume. It's important to have a clear understanding of the fees you are paying, the components of your bill, and whether there are any long-term contracts.
• Payment Methods: Choose a payment gateway that supports popular payment methods such as debit and credit cards, one-click payments, and digital wallets. Consider also offering "Buy Now, Pay Later" and recurring payment options.
• Gateway Requirements: Check that your business complies with the gateway's requirements, including any restrictions on selling certain products or services.

Having reliable merchant services in place offers two significant advantages. First, it ensures that your customers always have the payment options they need, making their shopping experience hassle-free. Second, it provides you with peace of mind as your cash flow becomes more stable with money hitting your account quickly, usually within one business day. This enables you to focus on your products, marketing, and customers without worrying about payment processing. Finding a provider that matches your needs and budget is essential to ensure that you reap the benefits of reliable merchant services.