If you want to run a business in this day and age, then you have to opt for online business one way or another. But when taking your businesses online, one thing that will definitely come into your mind is payment methods for your web development.
Finding the best payment methods is crucial because if your customers aren’t comfortable with the payment method you are providing, the business will definitely fall.
Now, finding the best payment methods isn’t easy to find as there are many options available on the internet. But don’t worry, that’s where this article comes in.
In this article, we will discover ten payment methods for your e-commerce website that will be able to work with various customers without creating an issue regarding payment methods. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at them, shall we?
Top 10 Payment Methods for E-commerce Website
Here are the top 10 payment methods that you can use for your e-commerce website:
1. Online Payment Gateway
An online payment gateway is a merchant e-commerce service that provides direct processing for any sort of transaction, meaning it authorizes direct payments via credit cards for online retailers, e-businesses, and many more. Some popular online payment gateways for e-commerce websites are:
PayPal
It is almost impossible for anyone not to know about PayPal as it is one of the most recognized and reputed online payment gateways out there. In recent surveys, it is said that there are more than 277 million PayPal all across the world. This means there are possibly 277 million clients out there who use this online payment gateway platform.
So, it is vital to include this payment method in your e-commerce website without any second thought. Because at this point, it is a requirement for a successful e-commerce website to have PayPal as a paying option, not a suggestion.
But that being said, PayPal charges VAT or transaction fees for both deposit and cash withdrawal, which can be a blunder for e-commerce websites that deal with a large volume of products at a low cost. Nonetheless, PayPal should definitely be one of your first payment methods for your e-commerce website. And it is available as both web application and mobile app it highly used by many,
Stripe
For e-commerce websites, Stripe is regarded as ‘the payment gateway web app that everyone should have in their e-commerce business. And it is quite understandable as Stripe offers not only for e-commerce stores but also for on-demand marketplaces along with subscription-based services. So, if you run your business in multiple services, then Stripe should be your go-to option.
Another great feature that makes Stripe the most recommended payment gateway by e-commerce business owners is its exceptionally easy payment system setup. Stripe supports payment in both online and in person.
So, it can handle both your online and offline payment system with ease, and if you are someone whose business revolves around both e-commerce and physically selling your goods, then the Stripe POS system should be one of your top priorities to include in your e-commerce business.
Google Pay
Google Pay is also a great contender as a payment gateway for your e-commerce website since a great number of people use the services provided by Google. And it is safe to assume that you will face a good number of customers who might want to opt for Google Pay services for paying.
If you are dealing with international clients, this is a plus as many countries can have issues with other gateways and paying methods.
Apple Pay
Similar to the reason why you should have Google Pay, you will come across an elite group of customers and clients who might want to pay with Apple Pay, and this is very common for Apple product users. So, unless you are selling services focused only on android products on your e-commerce website, you definitely should think of adding Apple Pay as a possible paying method.
There are also a lot of good payment gateways like Amazon pay, Payoneer, American Express, and many more. You should look into your clientele first to ensure which type of payment gateway will be helpful for your customers.
Because, if a buyer finds the paying process easy and if your goods can provide a satisfactory result, then you can be ensured over the fact that they will return for more business.
2. Credit Card Payment
The second on our list of payment methods are credit card payment, and now while you basically go for credit card payment with payment gateways, many customers prefer going with direct credit card payment, and for international purchases, this is the most common scenario.
And paying with credit cards is very easy. The credit card owner has to put three information, and he or she is good to go. The users will need to input their credit card number, expiry date, and the CVV number (the CVV number is located on the backside of the credit card, it helps to prevent fraud by matching the customer’s details with the given CVV number).
This safety allows many users to opt for credit cards, and this also allows you to be safe when transactions occur. And it is one of the most used paying methods, so you must have a credit card payment method on your e-commerce website before implying any other paying method on your website.
Depending on your bank, you might have to contact support before adding this payment method to your e-commerce business website.
3. Debit Card Payment
A direct alternative to credit cards, debit cards also follow the same procedure as credit cards but with certain limitations. And the biggest limitation that comes with a debit card is that the user has to spend money from his savings account.
But, credit card users don’t need to face that issue as they can spend until they have reached their credit card limit, and the billing will occur at the end of the month.
Debit cards don’t share that luxury, which might come as a blessing or curse as people who have trouble controlling their shopping spree are better off with a debit card. And there are many customers like that.
Therefore, it is necessary to have a debit card payment option available for your customers too. Otherwise, you may lose a large group of potential customers who could’ve given your business the boost it was looking for.
4. Prepaid Cards
Now, this is a bit on the less popular side of payment methods regarding e-commerce sites. Still, prepaid cards are getting quite popular among people in recent years. And the main customers who will opt for prepaid cards are mostly children and the elderly. Prepaid cards are cards that have virtual cash or currency stored in them.
And this amount can range from very low to quite high. Once someone uses this method of paying, they will be playing with that virtual currency which will be converted into actual cash. And then, it will be sent to your bank account that is linked with your e-commerce website.
Gift cards and special sell cards also follow this same type of implications regarding payment. So, having a prepaid card payment option can be very useful if you expect your clients to go with prepaid cards.
5. Bank Transfer
Although it has lost popularity lately, bank transfers still are one of the most prominent and safest payment methods available online. And even though it makes the buying and shipping process slow, bank transfers allow the customers to have their information to themselves instead of putting it online.
As there are many scams and swindlers out there, a great number of customers want to keep their credit or debit card information in the dark, and this is quite understandable. Thus, there should also be a payment option for bank transfers on your e-commerce website.
And as clients will have to verify and authenticate all of their purchases, you as the seller will have less trouble providing documentation of the purchase. But, this will drastically increase the time consumption of buying the products or services for the client.
6. Direct Deposit
For more scheduled payment methods, there’s no better option than direct deposit. In this method, the customer transfers the money directly to your bank account without any involvement of any sort of intermediary.
If your e-commerce website has any subscription-based service or product, then you should consider direct deposit to be one of your payment methods. But a good amount of trust is needed between you and your clients for this payment method to succeed.
Therefore, if you think that your clients would want a safe and direct payment method that involves only your and them, then you can opt for direct deposit as one of your payment options on your e-commerce website.
7. Cash on Delivery or COA
COA or cash on delivery is one of the most common paying methods for e-commerce stores. And there’s a great number of people who won’t buy from your store just because you don’t have this feature as one of your paying methods.
In online, you are practically buying without seeing the product yourself, yes you can see pictures and videos of the item you are buying, but appearance can differ.
Also, there are many scammers and fake products available on the internet, and many customers feel the need to check the product at hand before giving you their hard-earned money.
And that is why many customers would rather pay a bit extra charge but would go for cash on delivery service. So, if your e-commerce business revolves around physical goods and merchandizes, then it will be very helpful for you to have cash on delivery as one of your payment methods.
Because, not all customers want to pay first, some customers need to see the product in hand before paying. But ensure that you make an agile delivery for your customers.
8. Mobile Payment or App Payment
There are only a handful of people who don’t use a smartphone in this modern-day and age. And it is most likely that a good amount of your customers will use your e-commerce website through their mobile browser or your e-commerce store’s app.
Therefore, enabling payment through mobile and apps should be a priority. Much like the online payment gateway methods, customers will need to link their credit card, debit card, or bank account with the app or the webpage, and that’s it.
Many users will find this comfortable rather than going through any sort of extra payment method. And that’s something you should always look after. Because the more comfortable a customer feels regarding the paying process, the more likely he or she will return again to buy something else from your e-commerce store.
9. Electronic Wallets or E-wallets
Electronic wallets are a one step solution for many customers who don’t want to involve their personal credit or debit card information or bank information to the sellers but a one-click solution to paying for the items they want to buy.
An E-wallet is sort of a storage system that stores a certain amount of money, and after a while, you need to refill it from your bank account.
Most of the time, customers who don’t have access to credit or debit cards want to pay via electronic wallet. So, if you are dealing with such an audience, then you might have to consider adding an e-wallet as one of your paying methods.
10. Cryptocurrency
One of the most futuristic ways of payment is a cryptocurrency, and as there’s no chance of the crypto coins to be lost, there is a healthy number of clients who would want to pay with bitcoin or dodge coin or any other cryptocurrency.
And if you expect your clientele to have this currency, then you should open an option for payment via cryptocurrency on your e-commerce website.
Final Words
As online technology and users are increasing daily, running an e-commerce website is beneficial to say the list, but finding the best payment methods can be a daunting challenge. Hopefully, now you know the top 10 paying methods for your e-commerce website. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to do some business online!