When thinking of starting a business whether it be the traditional brick-and-mortar, or e-commerce, receiving payments is something you must consider. Understanding and choosing the right payment gateway can significantly impact your sales, customer satisfaction, and overall business growth.
A payment gateway is a technology used by merchants to accept debit or credit card purchases from customers. Essentially, it acts as an interface between the merchant’s website and the acquiring bank. It securely captures the payment data from the customer, encrypts it to prevent fraud, and authorises the transfer of funds to the merchant’s account. Entrepreneur Weekly has been exploring the many options online.
Forbes says there are three (3) categories of payment gateways:
- Redirect which takes a customer to a payment processor, like PayPal or Stripe, to process the transaction. A payment processor transfers information between the issuing and acquiring banks to move money into your merchant account, but it requires a payment gateway to communicate across the other moving parts and authorise the transaction.
- Hosted (off-site payment) is where the customer makes a purchase on your website or at your retail location, and the payment information goes to the payment provider’s servers for processing. A payment service provider, like PayPal, includes a payment processor and a payment gateway, as well as a merchant account and often other features to handle all aspects of a transaction. This is how Stripe and Square POS systems operate.
- Self-hosted (on-site payment) is where the entire transaction happens on your servers.
Now, let’s explore 10 payment gateways you should consider for your e-commerce business:
1. PayPal
One of the most recognisable names in online payments, PayPal offers a seamless checkout experience with features like ‘One Touch’ and ‘PayPal Credit’. With its user-friendly interface, PayPal is great for small businesses.
– Available in 200 countries
– Supports 25 currencies
Learn more (https://www.paypal.com/jm/webapps/mpp/merchant)
2. Stripe
Millions of companies of all sizes use Stripe online and in-person to accept payments, send payouts, automate financial processes, and grow revenue. Stripe is renowned for its developer-friendly platform and versatility.
– integrates seamlessly with various e-commerce solutions
– customised payment flows and analytics
– About 135 currencies and payment methods supported
Learn more (https://stripe.com/)
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3. Square
Square provides a comprehensive payment solution, from in-person transactions to online sales. Its user-friendly interface and suite of tools for inventory management, invoicing, and customer engagement make it a favourite among Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
– In-store pickup, online ordering, delivery, and shipment options
– Hardware and POS systems designed to sell anywhere
– Secure payments anywhere your customers are
Learn more (https://squareup.com/us/en)
4. Authorize.Net
Owned by Visa, Authorize.Net has been a trusted payment gateway for over two decades. It offers a range of features including fraud detection, recurring billing, and secure data storage, making it a reliable choice for many e-commerce platforms.
– Accept payments in person
– over the phone, online, eCheck
– Add a Buy Now or Donate button to your website
– Accept payments from a smartphone tap
Learn more (https://www.authorize.net/)
5. Adyen
Adyen is a global payment gateway that allows merchants to process payments in various currencies and countries. It’s a good option to consider if subscriptions and international payments are important to you.
– Omnichannel payment solutions
– Connect online and offline
– machine learning technology to combat fraud
Learn more (https://www.adyen.com/)
6. Helcim
Helcim is the easy and affordable solution for small and medium businesses accepting credit card payments in-person or online.
– No monthly fee—pay transaction fees only
– Lower-than-average processing rates
– No contracts
Learn more (https://www.helcim.com/)
7. Shopify POS
You can use Shopify POS to sell almost anywhere, including brick-and-mortar stores, markets, and pop-up shops. Shopify POS syncs with Shopify to track your orders and inventory across your retail locations, online store, and other active sales channels.
– Comprehensive and flexible ecommerce tools
– Ability to scale alongside the business
– Centralisation of commerce activities
Learn more (https://www.shopify.com/pos)
8. Braintree
A subsidiary of PayPal, Braintree offers seamless integration, extensive customisation options, and support for multiple currencies and payment methods. It’s especially useful for businesses looking for quick and easy setup.
– Backed by Paypal
– No recurring monthly fee
– Works with credit cards, digital wallets, PayPal, and Venmo
– Supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, and all major credit cards
Learn more (https://www.braintreepayments.com/)
9. First Atlantic Commerce
First Atlantic Commerce helps e-commerce merchants and businesses to accept payments online from 14 payment methods in the Latin America and the Caribbean.
– Over nine thousand current Customers
– Over 60 million transactions processed annually
– Over 29 Countries in the LATAM region.
Learn more (https://firstatlanticcommerce.com/)
10. Fygaro
In an effort to digitalise MSMEs, through the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), National Commercial Bank, and other entities, the Ministry of Industry Investment and Commerce (MIIC) has an existing partnership with Fygaro to provide businesses with easy access to e-commerce tools and secure payment gateways, helping them scale their operations and compete in the global market.
“Merchants operating via this platform will incur no setup cost but are required to pay a minimal monthly fee of US$15 for the integrated suite of services. Under the arrangement with the Government of Jamaica, merchants who sign up with Fygaro will benefit from a three-month free trial period”, according to the MIIC (https://www.miic.gov.jm/content/government-secures-partnerships-expand-e-commerce-opportunities-msmes).
Whether you’re a start-up or an established business looking to expand your digital presence, integrating a reliable payment gateway can drive your e-commerce success. And with initiatives like MIIC’s partnership with Fygaro, the path to achieving a robust online business is more accessible than ever.
WANT TO GET STARTED?
The JBDC’s Things Jamaican™ e-commerce store at www.thingsjamaicanshopping.com is fully powered by secured and reliable payment gateways including PayPal and First Atlantic Commerce. With the ability to access global payments, Thing’s Jamaican™ offers international market access to over 500 authentic Jamaican brands. You can take your business to the global marketplace too. Ask us how!
Visit www.jbdc.net to become a client.
